How Much Does a NASCAR Driver Make in 2025?

Most full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers make roughly $1 million to $10 million per year in total compensation, while the sport’s biggest stars can reach $8 million to $15 million or more in strong seasons. Pay drops substantially in the feeder series: many Xfinity drivers earn about $100,000 to $1 million+, and Craftsman Truck Series drivers often make $50,000 to $500,000. These figures blend base salary, race winnings, bonuses, endorsements, and merchandising, and vary widely by team, results, and sponsorship strength.

What determines a NASCAR driver’s pay?

Driver income isn’t a single number—it’s a mix of guarantees, performance-based earnings, and off-track deals. The exact split depends on the contract between the driver and team, the sponsorship package on the car, and race results across the season.

• Base salary or retainer: A guaranteed amount paid by the team, typically higher with elite teams and established winners.
• Purse share: A percentage of race winnings and contingency awards; modern deals often range roughly from 25% to 45% to the driver, depending on the contract.
• Bonuses: Structured for wins, stage wins, pole positions, playoff advancement, and manufacturer incentives.
• Endorsements and appearances: Personal sponsorships, TV ads, paid appearances, and social media campaigns, which can add six to seven figures for top names.
• Merchandise royalties: A percentage of sales on driver-branded hats, shirts, diecasts, and other items.

Because each team and sponsor portfolio is different, two drivers with similar on-track results can take home very different totals—especially if one carries major personal endorsements or a favorable bonus structure.

Typical earnings by series in 2025

To understand how pay varies, it helps to look at each national series. The Cup Series is the top tier, with the deepest purses and the most lucrative sponsorships, while Xfinity and Trucks are stepping stones where many drivers are still building their résumés and brand value.

NASCAR Cup Series

Full-time Cup drivers at established teams commonly land in the $1 million to $10 million range annually, combining salary, purse share, and bonuses. The sport’s highest-profile winners—backed by strong sponsors and fan followings—can reach or exceed the $8 million to $15 million band in good years. While historic peaks (pre-2020) saw a few outliers above that, recent cost controls and the Next Gen era have generally compressed guarantees, shifting more compensation into incentives and results-driven bonuses.

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Xfinity pay is highly variable. Competitive, well-sponsored drivers at top organizations can approach the low-seven figures in strong seasons, but many full-timers earn in the $100,000 to $600,000 range once base pay, purse share, and modest endorsements are combined. Development drivers under Cup-affiliated programs may trade higher short-term pay for elite equipment and a pathway to Cup.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Truck Series compensation often ranges from $50,000 to $300,000, with a handful of front-runners or veterans on strong teams potentially approaching $500,000 in total. Many Truck drivers rely on sponsor support or personal backing, and some hold off-track roles (testing, sim driving, or shop duties) to supplement income.

Race winnings and bonuses

While NASCAR no longer publishes detailed purse breakdowns for every event, purses remain a vital piece of the pie—especially for drivers with incentive-heavy deals. Marquee events pay substantially more than standard races.

• Daytona 500: NASCAR announced a total purse of just over $28 million for 2024; the winner’s take (driver’s contract share plus bonuses) is typically in the seven-figure range.
• Points races: Winners often net low-to-mid six figures from the purse before contractual splits; stage wins and special awards add incremental bonuses.
• Playoffs and season bonuses: Advancing through playoff rounds unlocks team and driver bonuses that can materially lift year-end totals, especially for championship contenders.

Because each contract dictates how purse money is divided—and because event purses vary—race-to-race earnings can swing dramatically based on finishing position, stage points, and playoff status.

Endorsements and off-track income

Top drivers leverage national sponsors for personal deals that can add low-to-mid seven figures per year, while mid-pack drivers may secure regional brands, hospitality appearances, and social campaigns. Merchandise is another steady stream; popular names with large fanbases see meaningful royalties from apparel and diecast sales, particularly around wins and championship runs.

How pay has been changing

Since 2020, teams have pushed for leaner driver guarantees and greater incentives, influenced by cost controls and the transition to the Next Gen car. That’s reduced some of the eye-popping guaranteed salaries of the late 2000s and 2010s but increased performance-linked upside. Looking ahead, NASCAR’s new media-rights deals beginning in 2025 (with FOX, Amazon, TNT Sports/Max, and NBC) are expected to boost overall industry revenue. Teams are still finalizing long-term charter and revenue frameworks, and the precise effect on driver pay will likely emerge over the next contract cycles rather than immediately.

Who earns what: quick reference

These ranges summarize typical annual totals across the three national series, accounting for salary, purse share, bonuses, endorsements, and royalties. Actual figures can fall outside these ranges based on results, sponsorship, and team strength.

• Cup Series: About $1 million to $10 million for most full-timers; stars can reach $8 million to $15 million+ in strong seasons.
• Xfinity Series: Roughly $100,000 to $1 million+, with top contenders at powerhouse teams skewing higher.
• Craftsman Truck Series: Commonly $50,000 to $500,000, with front-runners and veterans on strong programs at the higher end.

These bands reflect 2024–2025 industry conditions: compressed guarantees versus a decade ago, but substantial upside tied to wins, playoffs, and personal marketing power.

Frequently asked questions

Beyond headline figures, practical questions about contracts and expenses often shape a driver’s bottom line.

• Are drivers salaried employees or contractors? Most are contracted to teams with a guaranteed retainer plus incentives; structures vary by organization.
• Do some drivers bring sponsorship? Yes. Particularly in Xfinity and Trucks, drivers may bring personal sponsors that fund the seat and can improve take-home pay.
• Who pays travel and insurance? Teams typically cover racing-related travel; drivers handle personal taxes, agents, and some benefits. Top teams may offer additional support.
• Is pay per race or per season? Multi-year deals are common at the Cup level, with per-race payouts layered on top through purse shares and bonuses.
• Can backmarkers make a living? It’s challenging in Cup and especially in feeder series without strong sponsorship; many supplement income with testing, sim driving, coaching, or shop roles.

The fine print of each contract—percentage splits, bonus triggers, and sponsor activations—often matters as much as raw finish position when it comes to a driver’s annual income.

Summary

In 2025, most full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers earn about $1 million to $10 million annually, and elite winners can push into the low- to mid-teens. Xfinity and Truck Series drivers generally earn far less, often in the five- to low-six-figure range unless they’re title contenders with strong sponsor backing. Modern deals favor incentives and performance, but big-event purses, playoff bonuses, and endorsements still give top performers substantial upside.

Who is the highest paid race car driver?

The highest-paid race car driver is generally considered to be Max Verstappen, who reportedly earns a salary of around $65 million for the 2025 Formula 1 season. This makes him the top earner in motorsport, ahead of other high-profile drivers in F1, NASCAR, and other racing series. 
Top-Paid Drivers by Series (as of early 2025):

• Formula 1 (F1): Max Verstappen is at the top with a salary of approximately $65 million. 
• NASCAR: Kyle Busch is reported to be the highest-paid NASCAR driver, with a yearly salary of $16.9 million for 2025. 
• IndyCar: Colton Herta is considered one of the highest-paid IndyCar drivers, with a salary of $7 million. 

Factors contributing to high salaries: 

• Performance and Success: Drivers who win races and championships, like Verstappen, command higher salaries due to their proven ability and the value they bring to their teams.
• Sponsorships: A driver’s status as a prominent figure can also lead to lucrative personal sponsorship deals, which add to their overall earnings, as seen with Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
• Demand and Market Value: Elite drivers are in high demand, and teams are willing to pay top dollar to secure their talent.

How much do NASCAR pit crews make?

NASCAR pit crew members can earn anywhere from $30,000 to over $100,000 annually, with average salaries around $44,000 to $87,000, depending on experience and role. Members earn bonuses per race, with positions like tire changers earning around $1,500 per race and crew chiefs potentially making over $10,000 per race. Factors influencing pay include the team’s size and success, team sponsorship deals, and individual experience. 
Factors influencing pay:

• Role and position: More specialized roles like tire changers and jackmen command higher pay than utility positions. 
• Experience: Experienced pit crew members can earn more. 
• Team size and success: Larger, more successful teams often pay their pit crews more. 
• Sponsorships: Sponsorship deals can impact a team’s overall budget and ability to pay its pit crew. 
• Bonuses: Members receive performance-based bonuses in addition to their base salary. 
• Contract terms: Some pit crew members are full-time employees on contract, while others may take on freelance or part-time work. 

Examples of earnings:

• Average annual salary: Around $44,261, according to ZipRecruiter. 
• Top performers: Can reach over $100,000 annually, per Racing Forums. 
• Race day pay:
  • Tire changers can make about $1,500 per race. 
  • Fuelmen and jackmen can earn around $3,000 per race. 
  • A crew chief could earn well over $10,000 on race day. 

Who is the richest NASCAR driver?

The richest NASCAR driver of all time is Dale Earnhardt Jr., with an estimated net worth of $300 million, primarily from his legendary racing career, current media ventures as a TV analyst and podcast host, his ownership of JR Motorsports, and brand endorsements. While he is retired from full-time racing, he maintains a powerful presence in NASCAR and the business world.
 
Sources of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Wealth 

• Racing Career: As a two-time Daytona 500 winner and 15-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver, his success on the track generated significant prize money and endorsement deals. 
• JR Motorsports: He is the owner of JR Motorsports, a successful Xfinity and Truck Series team, and holds a significant stake in the venture. 
• Media and Broadcasting: Earnhardt Jr. works as a television analyst, hosts a popular podcast, and runs a media production company, all of which contribute to his wealth. 
• Endorsements: His iconic status has led to numerous brand partnerships, further enhancing his income beyond his racing and business ventures. 

Other Richest Drivers

• Jeff Gordon: Opens in new tabThe second-richest retired driver, he has a net worth of approximately $230 million, partly due to his role as vice-chairman of Hendrick Motorsports. 
• Jimmie Johnson: Opens in new tabA seven-time Cup Series champion, Johnson is also a wealthy retired driver with an estimated net worth of $180 million. 
• Kyle Busch: Opens in new tabAs the highest-paid active driver in 2024, Busch’s wealth is substantial, though he is not the richest overall. 

What is Chase Elliott’s salary?

Chase Elliott’s annual salary is reportedly around $8 million, a figure that does not include additional earnings from endorsements, merchandise sales, or prize money, which can increase his total annual income. His salary is estimated by sources such as Statista and Front Office Sports, positioning him among the highest-earning NASCAR drivers, according to their 2025 reports.
 
Sources of Income

• Salary: Elliott’s base salary from Hendrick Motorsports is a significant component of his earnings. 
• Endorsements: He receives income from brand partnerships, with companies like NAPA and Chevrolet listed as sponsors. 
• Merchandise Sales: As NASCAR’s most popular driver for several years, Elliott sells a substantial amount of licensed merchandise, contributing significantly to his income. 
• Race Winnings: While a smaller portion compared to his salary and endorsements, race wins, including his 2020 All-Star Race victory, also contribute to his earnings. 

Key Points 

• Total earnings: While his base salary is approximately $8 million, his total annual income, including endorsements and merchandise, is higher, with the $8 million in salary likely being part of his total earnings.
• Market Standing: Elliott is considered one of NASCAR’s top earners and is among the highest-paid drivers in the sport.