What Is Chase Elliott’s Salary?

As of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, industry estimates place Chase Elliott’s base salary from Hendrick Motorsports in the range of $8–$10 million per year (USD). Including race winnings, bonuses, and endorsements, his total annual earnings commonly land in the mid- to high-teens, depending on performance and sponsor activations. While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, multiple motorsports business outlets and industry insiders consistently position Elliott among NASCAR’s top earners.

Contents

What “Salary” Means in NASCAR
Current Estimates for Chase Elliott
How Elliott Stacks Up
Reporting Caveats and Where Estimates Come From
Summary

What “Salary” Means in NASCAR

In NASCAR, a driver’s “salary” typically refers to the guaranteed base pay from their team under contract. However, a driver’s yearly take-home can vary widely because compensation also includes prize money, playoff bonuses, team and sponsor incentives, merchandise royalties, and endorsement deals. Since teams and sponsors rarely publish full contracts, most numbers cited publicly are best viewed as informed estimates.

Current Estimates for Chase Elliott

Chase Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion and one of the sport’s most marketable stars, is widely reported to earn a top-tier base salary. For 2025, the prevailing industry range is $8–$10 million in base pay. With endorsements and performance-related payouts added, his total compensation often reaches $12–$18+ million in a typical season, fluctuating with wins, playoff progression, and off-track deals.

Contract Status

Elliott signed a multi-year extension with Hendrick Motorsports announced in early 2022 that keeps him in the No. 9 Chevrolet through the 2027 season. That deal cemented him as a franchise driver and, by all credible accounts, locked in compensation at or near the top end of the Cup Series market during the term.

How Elliott’s Earnings Are Built

The following list breaks down the common components that make up a premier NASCAR driver’s annual compensation, offering context for how Elliott’s reported salary translates into total yearly income.

Guaranteed base salary: Fixed annual pay from Hendrick Motorsports, widely estimated at $8–$10 million for Elliott.

Race winnings and team bonuses: A share of purse money and incentives tied to wins, stage points, and season standings; amounts vary by results and team agreements.

Playoff and points-fund payouts: Additional earnings for qualifying for and advancing in the playoffs, plus year-end points fund distributions.

All-Star/event-specific bonuses: Appearance or performance payouts tied to marquee races and special events.

Endorsements and personal sponsorships: Deals with consumer brands (alongside team partners) that can add several million dollars per year for a top-name driver.

Merchandise royalties: A percentage of sales from driver-branded apparel and diecasts, often meaningful for fan-favorite stars like Elliott.

Taken together, these elements explain why top drivers’ annual earnings can swing year to year: on-track results influence bonuses and purses, while off-track marketability shapes endorsement income.

Key Factors That Influence Elliott’s Pay

Several dynamics shape both the base salary and the variable portions of a driver’s compensation. The list below highlights the most important drivers of value for Elliott.

Performance: Race wins, playoff runs, and championship contention raise both bonuses and market leverage.

Popularity and brand value: Elliott’s large fan base boosts merchandise sales and sponsor appeal.

Sponsorship portfolio: Strong, long-term primary sponsors increase overall team resources and driver incentives.

Contract length and timing: Multi-year security through 2027 provides stability and preserves top-tier pay.

Series economics: Charter-era revenues, media rights, and purse structures affect how teams budget for driver salaries.

Health and availability: Missed races can reduce bonus potential and ancillary earnings tied to appearances and performance.

Because these levers shift over time, even a driver with a stable base salary can see meaningful year-to-year changes in total compensation.

How Elliott Stacks Up

Elliott is consistently ranked among NASCAR’s highest-paid drivers, typically in the top tier alongside other established champions and perennial contenders. While precise rankings vary by season and source, his combination of results, popularity, and long-term Hendrick deal places him firmly near the front of the Cup Series compensation spectrum.

Reporting Caveats and Where Estimates Come From

Exact driver salaries in NASCAR are not publicly disclosed, and teams seldom reveal full contract terms. Estimates commonly come from industry analysts, sponsor and agency sources, historical comparisons, and occasional financial disclosures tied to legal or commercial filings. As a result, figures are best treated as ranges rather than absolutes, and they can be refined as new information emerges.

Summary

Chase Elliott’s base salary with Hendrick Motorsports is widely estimated at $8–$10 million per year as of 2025, with total annual earnings often reaching the mid- to high-teens after bonuses, winnings, and endorsements. Although exact numbers aren’t public, consistent reporting places him among NASCAR’s top earners, supported by a multi-year deal through 2027, strong performance history, and substantial marketability.

What is Kyle Larson’s salary?

Kyle Larson’s salary is reported differently depending on the source and the year, but for 2024, Front Office Sports reported him as one of the highest-paid NASCAR drivers with an estimated yearly earning of $8 million. However, other sources indicate he may earn more, with one YouTube short from December 2024 stating $8 million annually and another report from May 2025 suggesting a new contract with Hendrick Motorsports that includes a significant average annual salary.
Key Figures and Sources

$8 Million: Front Office Sports listed Larson’s estimated annual salary at $8 million in their 2024 rankings, placing him as a T-6 highest-paid driver.
$10.1 Million: Another report from racingnews365.com listed his earnings at $10.1 million, showing a higher figure from a different source.
Contract Extension: In May 2025, a Facebook post referencing a story on dailyrune.net suggested Larson signed a new, multi-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports with a high average annual salary, but specific figures are not clearly detailed.

Factors influencing his salary

Performance: His performance on the track, including on dirt and asphalt, is considered a key factor in his value to Hendrick Motorsports.
Sponsorships and Track Earnings: Like other NASCAR drivers, Larson’s overall income would also include performance-based track earnings and income from endorsements and sponsorships.

Who is the richest guy in NASCAR?

The richest NASCAR driver, with an estimated net worth of $300 million, is Dale Earnhardt Jr.. His fortune comes from his successful racing career, his ownership of JR Motorsports, media ventures, and various endorsements and business ventures.

Sources of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Wealth:

Racing Career: His success on the track, including multiple wins, earned him significant prize money and popularity.
JR Motorsports: He owns and operates JR Motorsports, a media production group that competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Media and Broadcasting: Earnhardt Jr. is a television analyst and a popular podcast host, further expanding his media empire.
Business Ventures: He also owns dealerships, media production groups, and is involved in other business ventures.
Endorsements and Brand Ambassadorship: His iconic status has led to numerous lucrative endorsement deals.