Motorsports
Top 10 Net Worths You Need To See
Every season, fans talk about speed, trophies and drama. However, many people also ask: Who are the Richest NASCAR Drivers today?
In this in-depth breakdown, you will see how prize money, team contracts, endorsements, TV deals and smart investments all build these giant fortunes.
How We Ranked the Richest NASCAR Drivers
To rank the Richest NASCAR Drivers, we looked at several key factors. First, we considered estimates of net worth from long-term reports, interviews, and business coverage. Second, we looked at career prize money and base salaries from Cup Series deals.
However, race winnings alone rarely explain the full picture. Endorsements, merchandise, TV work and team ownership often add more money than chequered flags. For example, some drivers still earn strong incomes from media roles and brand partnerships many years after retirement.
We also considered business ventures away from the track. In many cases, drivers invest in car dealerships, restaurants, real estate or even their own race teams. As a result, their net worth can grow long after their last start.
For current and historic context, you can explore official sports news on the NASCAR website. For wider sports money stories, you may also check general coverage on Forbes SportsMoney.
Now, let us look at the top 10 Richest NASCAR Drivers and how they built their fortunes.
Top 10 Richest NASCAR Drivers
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr – The Fan Favourite Turned Media Empire
($300 million)
Dale Earnhardt Jr sits near the top of almost every Richest NASCAR Drivers list. Many estimates place his net worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Because he combined success on track with a powerful personal brand, his income streams remain strong.
On track, Dale Jr won multiple races and became the face of NASCAR for many casual fans. However, his real wealth comes from huge sponsorship deals, long-term partnerships and a natural gift for media work. His time with major brands and his long-running TV role helped him stay in the spotlight.
In addition, he owns businesses, including media projects and, at times, a race team, as well as various investments. As a result, his earnings did not stop when he stepped away from full-time driving.
2. Jeff Gordon – From Rainbow Warrior to Team Co-owner
($200 million)
Jeff Gordon changed the look of NASCAR in the 1990s and 2000s. He won four Cup Series titles and helped move the sport into a new era of mainstream TV coverage. Therefore, he earned huge prize money and some of the best sponsorship packages in racing.
Over time, Gordon accumulated wins, bonuses, and endorsement deals with major consumer brands. In addition, he took a smart step into ownership. His long-time link with Hendrick Motorsports includes equity that adds serious value to his net worth.
After full-time driving, he moved into TV commentary and senior roles at Hendrick. Consequently, money still flows from both the business and media sides. Many analysts place him near Dale Jr on the Richest NASCAR Drivers table because his stake in top-level teams may grow in value over time.
3. Jimmie Johnson – The Seven-Time Champion Investor
($160 million)
Jimmie Johnson joined the legends’ club by winning seven Cup Series titles. Because of this record, he received top salaries, performance bonuses and stable backing from long-term sponsors. His calm image and consistency also appealed to big companies that wanted a trusted face.
However, Johnson did not rely only on race earnings. He built a broad portfolio with property, investments and partnerships beyond the garage. In addition, he moved into IndyCar and sports car racing, which helped him stay in the broader motorsport spotlight.
He now holds a stake in the business side of racing and continues to work there. As a result, his estimated wealth remains among the highest of all active and retired drivers.
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4. Kevin Harvick – Steady Success and Long-Term Deals
($110 million)
Kevin Harvick built his fortune through consistency and wise choices. He dramatically stepped into the Cup Series after the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr, yet he soon wrote his own story. Over a long career, he stayed near the front, which meant strong prize money every season.
Harvick’s steady results attracted big sponsors and long-term contracts. In addition, he formed his own management and business interests, which handled deals for other drivers and projects. These activities added extra income and gave him leverage in negotiations.
After retiring from full-time Cup racing, Harvick moved into broadcasting. Therefore, he kept his media profile and opened a fresh revenue stream. This combination of on-track success, business sense and TV work places him among the Richest NASCAR Drivers of the modern era.
5. Tony Stewart – Driver, Owner and All-Round Racer
($90 million)
Tony Stewart, known for his fiery style, found success in almost every series he entered. He won multiple Cup titles and collected strong prize money throughout his career. Yet his biggest financial move came when he took ownership of Stewart-Haas Racing.
Because he combined driver duties with team ownership, Stewart enjoyed both salary and profit share. In addition, he invested in dirt tracks, other race series and various motorsport ventures. These deals turned him from a star driver into a major racing businessman.
Stewart’s wealth also benefits from media appearances and a loyal fan base. Therefore, he remains a key figure when discussing the Richest NASCAR Drivers in history. His story shows how ownership can turn track success into long-term financial power.
6. Kyle Busch – Modern-Era Prize Money Machine
Source: Shutterstock
($80 million)
Kyle Busch joined the sport’s elite with over 200 wins across NASCAR’s top three series. Because he races often and wins frequently, he has accumulated large prize totals and performance bonuses. His aggressive style splits opinion, yet it also draws attention and sponsor interest.
Busch signed strong contracts with top teams and held premium endorsements with major consumer brands. In addition, he launched his own Truck Series race team. That move created another income stream, while also building his presence as a team boss.
He also invests away from the track, which boosts his overall wealth. As a result, many estimates place him firmly inside the top group of Richest NASCAR Drivers, especially among those still active or recently active.
7. Denny Hamlin – Driver and Team Partner in a New Age
$80 million)
Denny Hamlin spent many years as a top contender in the Cup Series. He won crown-jewel races such as the Daytona 500 several times, which brought large payouts and significant sponsor exposure. Because he stayed with top equipment, his base salary and bonuses remained high.
However, his most interesting money move came with team ownership in partnership with NBA star Michael Jordan. Together, they launched 23XI Racing, which competes at the front and attracts premium sponsors. As the team grows, Hamlin’s stake could rise in value.
In addition, he has personal endorsements and often appears in TV features and adverts. As a result, his estimated net worth continues to rise, and many analysts expect him to climb even higher on the Richest NASCAR Drivers lists over time.
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8. Danica Patrick – Crossover Star and Marketing Powerhouse
$80 million)
Danica Patrick may not match the win totals of some names on this list. However, her impact on marketing and global awareness of the sport is huge. She became one of the most recognisable racing drivers in the world, across IndyCar and NASCAR.
Because of this fame, she signed some of the most valuable endorsement deals in motorsport, including headline roles in major advertising campaigns. These partnerships often paid more than the race results. In addition, she launched fitness, clothing, and wine brands, creating new income streams.
Although she retired from full-time racing, her business and media work continue. Therefore, she remains one of the Richest NASCAR Drivers in terms of overall net worth, especially when you factor in brand value and lifestyle ventures.
9. Mark Martin – The Quiet Legend with Smart Money Moves
$70 million)
Mark Martin never won a Cup title, yet he remains one of the most respected drivers in NASCAR history. He scored many wins and finished runner-up in the championship several times. Consequently, he enjoyed high salaries and strong bonuses across a very long career.
Martin’s image as a clean, fit and professional racer made him a magnet for sponsors. In addition, he invested in car dealerships and other businesses, which grew steadily over time. These ventures added a reliable base of income beyond racing.
Because he managed his money carefully and avoided a flashy lifestyle, many estimates place his net worth in the upper group of retired drivers. As a result, he rounds out our list of the Richest NASCAR Drivers with a story built on discipline as much as speed.
10. Kasey Kahne – From Cup Winner to Team Owner and Businessman
$30 million)
Kasey Kahne built a strong Cup career with many race wins and popular appeal. His good looks and calm manner made him a favourite for sponsors. As a result, he secured solid contracts and endorsement deals with major consumer brands.
In addition, Kahne invested in his own sprint car teams and other racing operations. These projects kept him tied to the grassroots of the sport while also adding income and assets. Property and business interests outside racing also contribute to his net worth.
Therefore, even though he stepped back from full-time NASCAR competition, his wealth remains significant. Many Richest NASCAR Drivers rankings still include his name, especially when they look at total career earnings plus current holdings.
What Makes the Richest NASCAR Drivers So Wealthy?
When you look across this list, some patterns appear again and again. First, top drivers usually combine race winnings with strong, long-term sponsorships. In many cases, endorsements and TV ads pay more than trophies.
Second, the biggest fortunes often include some form of ownership. That might be shares in a Cup team, rights to a personal brand, a car dealership network or other businesses. Because these assets can grow, they push net worth higher even after retirement.
Third, media roles matter. Drivers who move into commentary, analysis or regular TV spots stay visible. As a result, their brand value remains high, and new sponsorships keep coming in. This cycle keeps them near the top of the Richest NASCAR Drivers lists for many years.
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Will the Richest NASCAR Drivers List Change in Future?
The money side of NASCAR keeps evolving. New TV deals, streaming, social media and global sponsors all shift how drivers earn. Younger stars use platforms such as YouTube, podcasts and social channels to build personal brands much earlier.
Because of this, the next generation may add new names to the Richest NASCAR Drivers rankings. Drivers who combine on-track success with clever digital content and business investments could overtake some older legends in time.
However, the core rules remain the same. Consistent results, trusted image, smart deals and long-term investments still shape who ends up at the very top of the NASCAR net worth charts.
