Kyle Larson Speaks On NASCAR Driver’s Drop In Earnings

At one point in time, NASCAR published an earnings report following every race. They ceased to release such figures after the 2015 season. As a result, it’s unclear how much money NASCAR Cup Series drivers will make in 2024. Kyle Larson may be heard below.

Kyle Larson Speaks On NASCAR Driver’s Drop In Earnings

Jimmie Johnson earned $150,926,713 in race earnings alone between 2001 and 2015. The seven-time winner was a high earner. However, it has drastically decreased after 2015.

Johnson said in 2021 that driver earnings had decreased by half from 2015.

The pay gap between drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series and dirt racers highlights the sport’s financial difficulties and its effects on driver leverage and industry dynamics as a whole.

Top drivers now make far less than they did a few years ago in NASCAR, as driver pay have significantly declined.

As teams want a bigger piece of the earnings pie, NASCAR is negotiating a new charter deal.

Plans by Kyle Larson to implement a NASCAR-style franchise system in the High Limit Sprint Car Series raise the possibility of alterations to the financial makeup of dirt racing.

Johnson stated, “I would say, through earnings and potential for a team, it’s been down 50%. For a driver contract, from 2015 to where it is now, it’s probably half, even for the top drivers.”

The sport is funded by sponsorship and TV income. On the other hand, teams only receive 25% of the money from television. Tracks receive a 65% share, while NASCAR receives 10%. Teams want a far bigger piece of the pie, and they are now negotiating a new charter agreement.

Furthermore, it appears that they have been declining since 2021. According to Kyle Larson, the majority of drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series most likely come from the top ranks of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series.

“I don’t know everybody’s deal. You still have your top tier drivers that are still not making anywhere near what Jimmie Johnson. Jeff Gordon or anybody like that,” Kyle Larson told Kenny Wallace.

“I make a really good living. I’m totally happy with my contract and all that. But, it’s still not anywhere near the level, probably not even half of what Jimmie was getting paid in his heyday.”

“I know I’m making way more than a good majority of the field. I don’t really know what to think. But, I think a lot of guys are just happy to say they’re a Cup Series driver and they don’t care. They just want to be there and racing on Sundays.”

“That just hurts the whole overall driver’s side of it, trying to have leverage for some of these drivers to make more money.”

“I bet you the top 4 drivers in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series are making more money than a third to half of the Cup Series guys. Probably half of the Cup Series guys.”

“That’s pretty crazy to think about. But, everybody chooses their own route, I guess.”

 

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