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The 20 Richest NASCAR Drivers in History

NASCAR

Bill France Sr. helped launch the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing in 1947. Since those early days, NASCAR has grown to become America’s most-watched racing league and a huge business. When it comes to television ratings, the only professional sports league that beats NASCAR is the NFL and the richest NASCAR drivers make pretty good money, and deservedly so.

After all, while NASCAR drivers make zooming around the track at top speed look easy, in reality, it’s anything but — race car driving takes immense skill and concentration. It’s also very dangerous, and every race can potentially be a driver’s last. That’s why the wealthiest NASCAR drivers are so fascinating to study: they persevered beyond the dangers to become wealthy people. 

On that note, how do drivers get enticed to sit behind the wheel and put it all on the line? Well, the richest NASCAR drivers, like Dale Earnhardt Jr, Tony Stewart, and Jeff Gordon, tap into their passion for racing and the chance to make a lot of money. Who could blame the richest NASCAR drivers in history for wanting to make good cash while risking their necks for our entertainment?

Furthermore, the most successful NASCAR drivers have amassed large fortunes due to winning big cash prizes or having endorsement deals with major companies. In fact, a typical NASCAR driver might not make most of their money on the NASCAR Cup Series but on advertisements on their vehicles, sponsorships from major corporations, and other types of investments. 

On that note, let’s take a look at the 20 richest NASCAR drivers in history. The wealthiest NASCAR drivers are some of the richest athletes or performers in the world. Even if much of their money goes back into their car, others get sponsorships with companies like Joe Gibbs Racing to offset these expenses and ensure that they stay financially solvent and rich for years to come.

Our Methodology

The NASCAR Cup Series has helped many race car driver become incredibly rich. Bill France Sr undoubtedly didn’t expect NASCAR history to get to this point but would undoubtedly be proud that drivers like Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, and former NASCAR driver Richard Petty have made NASCAR racing such a high-earning venture for each NASCAR driver. 

So whether you’re a fan of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, general NASCAR racing experiences, or even Kyle Busch Motorsports, you deserve accurate information about the richest NASCAR drivers in the world. Thankfully, we did all the tough research for you to ensure that you get the information you need. We utilize an in-depth process that helps keep our details as accurate as possible:

  1. Check out our previous article to make sure it’s still accurate 
  2. Research each racer’s current value to make sure it's updated
  3. Add new information to the article to ensure it reflects reality 
  4. Improve the grammar, spelling, and structure of the article
  5. Continue to update the article, as needed, to keep it accurate

The 20 Wealthiest NASCAR Drivers in History Today

Many of the richest drivers in NASCAR have at least one championship win or stand out as a popular driver. For example, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not just successful with his stock car racing but popular with fans. Many of the best drivers in history began racing at a young age or even found work at car dealerships that provided them with real training. Let’s dive (or is that drive?) right into this article!

20. Ken Schrader Net Worth – $25 million

When it comes to crossing the finish line, few have done it as often as Ken Schrader. He has a long racing career — he’s not only a NASCAR vet, but he’s also a current part-time ARCA Series racer, and he races at Eldora Speedway in the Camping World Truck Series, among other business ventures.

Considering Ken Schrader’s age, 68, it’s quite a feat to still be going strong after so many decades in the sport. He still participates in Dirt and Asphalt track races and also competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series. That makes him one of the most interesting racers to act.

Ken Schrader’s NASCAR career lasted from early 1981 to 2013, and in that time, he enjoyed immense success. He participated in the NASCAR Cup Series many times in his long career and often reached the finish line either as the winner or someone fighting for a close second or third.

In addition to his racing wins and accolades from fans and other NASCAR drivers, Ken Schrader is an astute businessman. He owns Missouri’s I-55 Raceway and is also part owner of Macon Speedway along with Tony Stewart, promoter Bob Sargent, and race car driver Kenny Wallace.

In a way, he’s the best driver who also works in business. Furthermore, his longevity makes him the 20th highest-paid driver in NASCAR. His impressive net worth might not be up there with Denny Hamlin or Dale Earnhardt Jr, but the fact that he still races nearly into his 70s is an inspiration.

19. Michael Waltrip Net Worth – $35 million

Today, Michael Waltrip works as a commentator and has published books, but he’s also one of the most esteemed NASCAR drivers. As a popular driver in his time, he’s also one of the richest drivers in the sport. Multiple championship wins helped boost his stock and make him successful. 

For example, he won the Daytona 500 twice and occasionally still races from time to time in the No. 55 Toyota Camry. While not up there with Jeff Gordon or Dale Earnhard Jr (to say nothing of Dale Earnhardt Sr), Waltrip is a respected driver and one of the best in NASCAR history.

Greatness on the track runs in the family. Michael is the younger brother of Darrell Waltrip, a three-time NASCAR champ. Michael’s net worth of $35 million and his success in areas like the Winston Cup Series has made him a popular fixture on NBC Sports and other broadcasts throughout his NASCAR career.

18. Cale Yarborough Net Worth – $50 million

Out of all NASCAR drivers, Cale Yarborough has had one of the longest involvements with the sport. While he was still racing, he amassed 86 wins, making him one of the winningest NASCAR drivers of all time. Cale Yarborough passed away in 2023, but his legacy is firmly entrenched.

He was not only a former race car driver and team owner; he’s also a farmer and an entrepreneur. In fact, much of his net worth comes from his business and not his racing, though his on-track earnings were very high, making him one of the most respected in the business before he passed.

Long-time fans of the sport won’t soon forget the fistfight he had on the track with Donnie Allison in 1979 — it’s still talked about to this day and is regarded as one of the most memorable moments in the history of the Daytona 500. In fact, some believe it helped spur the Daytona 500’s popularity.

17. Greg Biffle Net Worth – $50 million

Driving Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 16 Ford Fusion is Greg Biffle, one of the richest NASCAR drivers in the game. Biffle is still a little active behind the wheel, unlike some of the other racers on this list. As a result, his chances of making more money are high. Championships might not be there for him.

For example, he’s won many championships and awards and earned the title of “Most Popular Driver” during the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series. Since then, his popularity has waxed and waned, though he’s remained an important competitor on the track for years to come.

While some of his wealth came from being behind the wheel, Biffle is also part owner of Willamette Speedway and Sunset Speedway. Clearly, NASCAR drivers know that investing beyond the wheel is critical for success and can help them stay financially solvent for years to come.

16. Kasey Kahne Net Worth – $50 million

Here are some amazing stats for you: 18-time Cup Series, which includes three Coca-Cola 600s race winner Kasey Kahne, has had a considerable stock car racing career. That has made him one of the highest-earning and most successful NASCAR drivers in history.

Over the last 15 years, he’s participated in 529 races and has placed in the top 10 in 86 of those races. Some of his best races have been battles of skill against some of the most professional racers in the world. Amazingly, he began racing when he was 17 at Washington’s Deming Speedway.

As he’s raced on the same track with experts from Hendrick Motorsports on tracks like Eldora Speedway, Kahne has continually earned a solid income. Like many other racers, he’s also expanded his financial earnings to include investments in various business ventures.

15. Jeff Burton Net Worth – $55 million

Before retiring, Jeff Burton — also known as The Mayor — was able to rack up 21 Sprint Cup Series and 27 Xfinity Series wins. He also raced in the World Truck Series 4 times but never won but he easily made it on our highest-paid driver list alongside Greg Biffle and Denny Hamlin.

The World Truck Series is one of those fun events that Burton and his family have competed in for years. After all, Jeff Burton is another driver with a family history in the sport, as his brother, Ward, and his nephew, Jeb, have also raced in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in their racing career. 

That makes the Jeff Burton family one of the most successful in racing history. Each driver has a strong NASCAR career and even Cup Series Championships. As a result, his net worth is an inspiration to many other drivers in the field. Jeff currently serves as a NASCAR analyst for NBC Sports.

14. Matt Kenseth Net Worth – $60 million

During his career that’s spanned over two decades, Matt Kenseth has had an impressive number of victories. He has a few Cup Series wins and has raced on the same track with big names like Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and other stock car experts.  

That said, there have been a few controversies surrounding Kenseth during his career, most notably his 2003 Winston Cup Series victory. He was also the recipient of the toughest suspension in the history of NASCAR after deliberately causing a wreck with fellow racer Joey Logano.

Still, he’s a very talented driver and one of the wealthiest. You can’t argue with his Cup Series wins or his skills. Furthermore, his son, Ross, is currently working on starting his own racing legacy as a driver — Ross has even raced against his dad, which created some definite Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr. vibes.

Matt was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2023, along with Hershel McGriff and Kirk Shelmerdine. Today NASCAR is doing a lot to provide high-quality support for its many racers, which has helped Matt Kenseth and his son Ross stay strong and competitive racers.

13. Richard Petty Net Worth – $65 million

Few haven’t heard of Richard Petty — it doesn’t matter if you know much about NASCAR or not, The King is legendary and became a household name decades ago. He even has a museum dedicated to his illustrious career, one in which he saw many Spring Cup Series wins.

During his time racing, he won 200 races, including seven NASCAR Championships. As far as the figures go, Richard Petty is the most successful driver of all time and makes the list of richest NASCAR driver professionals, even years after he has stopped racing.

As great as he is, Richard Petty didn’t start his family’s racing legacy. His father, Lee, won the first Daytona 500 race and was a three-time NASCAR champion. Richard’s son, Kyle, went on to create a successful career in racing, and his late grandson, Adam, was the first fourth-generation racer in NASCAR history.

Even today, popular and successful racers like Kevin Harvick, Mark Martin, Danica Patrick, and Matt Kenseth respect his legacy. Bill France Sr might not have anticipated a racer like Richard Petty or even Dale Earnhardt Sr when he created NASCAR, so they had to invent themselves.

12. Denny Hamlin Net Worth – $65 million

James “Denny” Hamlin started out racing go-karts when he was seven, and now, he’s made a lucrative career out of race car driving behind the wheel of No. 11 for Joe Gibbs Racing. His NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins are legendary and some of the most impressive in the history of the sport.

He won the MKA Manufacturers Cup in 1997 when he was 15, and in 2006, Hamlin was named “Rookie of the Year” at the Nextel Cup Series. Since then, Hamlin has continued to become a more popular racer with newer generations of racing fans.

He’s won several races, including the 2010 Southern 500, the 2015 Sprint All-Star Race, and the 2016 Daytona 500. He is a three-time Daytona 500 champion. Furthermore, he raced 596 times in the Cup Series and won 48 times. That’s a win percentage of around 9%, which is great for the Spring Cup Series.

11. Dale Earnhardt Sr. Net Worth – $70 million

Dale Earnhardt Sr. is definitely one of the most famous NASCAR drivers of all time. He won a huge list of accolades, championships, and awards during his career, and his style of driving led to him being nicknamed The Intimidator – an influential style that is still used today. 

His seven Winston Cup championships tied him with Richard Petty for the most wins in the history of NASCAR. The world came to know Dale Earnhardt Sr. as a first-rate racer, and his passing during the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 is a moment that’s seared into the history of professional racing.

Since then, he has been inducted into several halls of fame, and his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., has continued the family’s racing legacy. In fact, some believe that Earnhardt Jr might be the better racer of the two, though some consider that sacrilege to even suggest.

10. Carl Edwards Net Worth – $70 million

Carl Edwards drives Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 Toyota Camry. His first championship win was the 2007 Busch Series, and his most recent was the 2015 Bojangles’ Southern 500. That makes Carl Edwards one of the best active racers in the world today.

Furthermore, he has a bit of a gimmick: anytime Edwards wins a race, fans expect him to do a backflip off his car, which is something he started doing at his first win by accident. Since then, he’s gotten pretty good at it because he’s raced over 445 times in the NASCAR Cup Series and won 28 times.

9. Kevin Harvick Net Worth – $70 million

Kevin Harvick is a full-time driver of the No. 4 Chevrolet SS in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, as well as a part-time driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. He holds the all-time Cup Series win record and is the Xfinity Series’ third-winningest driver. 

Currently, he is actively racing in NASCAR, as he participated in the 2022 South Point 400. His continued success has helped him get some Spring Cup Series wins and a steady supply of cash from sponsors, particularly for keeping his car in strong operating order. 

Kevin Harvick’s dream of becoming a race car driver goes back to when he was in fifth grade, and his father helped him enter the sport when he was a bit older. Racing legend Rick Mears was Kevin’s favorite driver when he was a kid, and Kevin has drawn inspiration from him during his career.

8. Kurt Busch Net Worth – $70 million

Many know Kurt Busch as the older brother of NASCAR driver Kyle Bush, but he’s a strong driver in his own right. For example, he has won 34 Cup races during his career, and in 2004, he beat Jimmie Johnson to become the 2004 Cup Series champion.

Though he’s definitely talented, Kurt Busch has gotten into some trouble on and off the track, and he’s had a few notable public feuds with other NASCAR drivers. Some have claimed that these feuds might go down as his primary legacy in the sport, which is unfortunate.

After so many controversies and public attention, he’s currently trying to return to the racing game, although he never quit or retired from racing. Some are doubtful of whether or not he can truly get over his reputation as a difficult person.

7. Mark Martin Net Worth – $70 million

Mark Martin is a living legend and one of the world's most storied NASCAR drivers. He had a career that spanned over 30 years and included over 880 races. Martin has continually expanded his experience and abilities as a racer to become more and more respected.

Few drivers have raced into their later years, but Mark Martin was on the track as recently as 2013. He hasn’t officially gone into retirement but is set to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017. That likely means he’s probably going to hang up his racing gloves sooner rather than later.

Much of Mark Martin’s wealth came from being involved in NASCAR, but he’s also the owner of four car dealerships. That investment is a big part of his net worth, potentially the biggest part. That said, his many Sprint Cup Series wins have also helped him stay financially strong.

6. Danica Patrick Net Worth – $80 million

Danica Patrick is the most successful woman in the history of professional racing, but most of her wealth didn’t come from her performance on the track. Though she was the first woman to take the lead in Daytona 500 history, most of Danica’s money comes from other sources.

Instead, she’s earned millions as a model spokeswoman while serving as the face of many leading brands. Even though she’s recently got into trouble for making questionable statements about sex and gender, she remains an important role model for the industry.

5. Kyle Busch Net Worth – $80 million

Kyle Busch has made a lot of his money from racing, and he’s been a huge winner on the track. In 2020, Forbes listed him as the highest-paid NASCAR driver. He earned $17.8 million from race prizes, salary, and other sources. He’s become a bigger name than his older brother Kurt.

Furthermore, he also owns Kyle Busch Motorsports, which has enjoyed many victories since it debuted in 2010. Aside from his NASCAR career, Kyle is known for being a generous donor to charities and worthy causes, particularly for homeless individuals and much more.

He is still actively racing and has won 60 races in the NASCAR Cup Series and 102 in the Xfinity Series. As one of the best currently racing drivers in the sport today, Busch is likely to only make more money, particularly if his Motorsports team continues to grow and develop.

4. Tony Stewart Net Worth – $90 million

The only person to win an IndyCar and NASCAR championship is Tony Stewart. He’s become known around the world for his incredible racing talent and major wins. In 600 races over his long career, Stewart has earned 49 victories. Stewart has even inspired racing video games!

Furthermore, Tony Stewart made a significant part of his money from endorsement deals with various companies. For example, he has a Sirius Satellite show, Tony Stewart Live, which he co-hosts with NASCAR reporter Matt Yocum. So, while he retired from racing in 2016, he’s still making good money.

3. Jimmie Johnson Net Worth – $160 million

Jimmie Johnson is one of the richest NASCAR drivers of all time, and he’s one of the most well-recognized race car drivers in the world. Success may seem to come naturally for Jimmie Johnson, but it didn’t come easy and was something he built for years through his life.

Amazingly, his love for racing began when he was just four years old while watching races at home. Then, he started entering the off-road series after graduating from high school. In the years since, he has recorded a huge number of achievements, wins, and awards that have helped him make big money.

Jimmie Johnson has also been a part of many of the most memorable moments in NASCAR’s history, and the star driver isn’t exactly a stranger to controversy, including the tragic deaths of his in-laws and nephew in a triple homicide that rocked his family for years. 

His final NASCAR race was the 2020 Season Finale 500, and since then, Johnson has made enough cameos in television shows, movies, music videos, and video games that he’s something of a pop culture figure. In fact, outside of his successful racing career, his net worth is mostly endorsements.

That’s because few drivers have been as marketable as Jimmie Johnson is, which is part of why he’s worth $160 million. Furthermore, outside of his endorsements, business ventures, and incredible racing career, Johnson is a charitable athlete who donates millions and participates in charity events.

Even more impressively, he has his own successful nonprofit, The Jimmie Johnson Foundation, and he’s also partnered with other recognized groups such as Habitat for Humanity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the American Red Cross. It’s amazing to see someone so rich give back so much.

2. Jeff Gordon Net Worth – $200 million

Jeff Gordon now works as a Fox NASCAR announcer, but most people know him as the driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet from when he was still racing. As one of the youngest and most rapidly successful racers of all time, Gordon’s career was always a source of envy for many racers. 

Jeff Gordon's first taste of racing was when his stepdad bought him a BMX bike when he was four — after that; nothing could stop him from pursuing his passion. He went after it with zeal, and the rest truly is racing history, as he turned his skills into wins and endorsements.

Jeff Gordon is one of the most esteemed NASCAR drivers, and he’s cemented his place in pop culture as well. Many in the US who know little to nothing about race car driving still know the name “Jeff Gordon” — he helped make the sport more popular in the US.

Just as importantly, Gordon was easy on the eyes and has been portrayed in everything from magazines and documentaries to cartoons and game shows. During the height of his fame, he was easily the most popular and hated racer at the same time – a true sign of greatness!

When it comes to business, Gordon plays it very smart, which has allowed Jeff Gordon to amass a fortune worth $210 million. Though much of that has come from his post-racing career, without his skills as a driver, nobody would know a thing about Gordon.

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Net Worth – $300 million

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is racing royalty, and his father’s legacy helped him climb the heights that he’s reached today. That’s not to say that Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t put in his share of work to achieve his successes — far from it, in spite of what some Dale Earnhardt Sr fans might say.

In fact, Earnhardt Jr has more than proven himself on the track and has truly done justice to the Earnhardt name. In fact, Dale Jr. has been voted NASCAR’s “Most Popular Driver” 13 times consecutively from 2003 to 2015, though he retired from NASCAR racing after the 2017 Daytona 500.

Perhaps the most devastating moment in his time spent racing — the 2001 Daytona 500 crash that killed his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr. — shaped Dale Jr.’s career more than anything else. He emerged that day with grace and incredible composure and made a name for himself in the best way.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of the most recognized celebrity athletes in the world, and he also has a knack for doing business. Some of Dale Jr.’s ventures include owning racetracks, a media production company, auto dealerships, and a bar named Whisky River with multiple locations.

All this, plus the money he earned from racing, puts Dale Earnhardt Jr. at the top of the list of wealthy NASCAR drivers. These days, it’s more common to see him hanging out with Hollywood buddies rather than suiting up for a race or even hanging out near a car.

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Garrett Parker

Written by Garrett Parker

Garrett by trade is a personal finance freelance writer and journalist. With over 10 years experience he's covered businesses, CEOs, and investments. However he does like to take on other topics involving some of his personal interests like automobiles, future technologies, and anything else that could change the world.

Read more posts by Garrett Parker

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