Highest-paid NASCAR drivers in 2023: Million-dollar contracts

While it might not enjoy the same kind of prestige and amounts of cash as Formula 1, make no mistake NASCAR is as big as it gets and the drivers are well paid.

The best racers in the Cup Series are typically the ones who make the most money. So much determination, skill, handling of heavy-duty equipment and extreme mental focus all help a driver excel in a world where a microsecond makes a world of a difference. Based on ranking, experience, education and public image, a driver can live a lavish lifestyle earning millions racing. That being said, every race drive can still make a more than decent amount of money per year, whether through prize money, endorsements, or their base salary alone. Yet, just who are the highest earners in 2023 and how much are they making? Let’s take a look.

Who is the highest-paid NASCAR driver in the world?

NASCAR racing legend Kyle Busch sits among the highest paid athletes of all time, followed by Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick who follow Busch respectively as the second and third highest paid NASCAR Cup Series drivers of 2023. While Joey Logano and Kyle Larson don’t sit in the top 5 highest-paid drivers, they still earn big money for their talents.

Top 5 highest-paid NASCAR drivers in 2023

Kyle Busch: $16,900,000

Born on May 2nd, 1985, Kyle Thomas Busch is not just a stock car racing driver, but team owner as well. As of 2022, he has competed full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 18 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing and part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 51 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports. KBM runs multiple trucks in the Truck Series. Busch is the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and the 2015 and 2019 Cup Series champion. Busch is also a one time WWE 24/7 Champion. He is the younger brother of 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion Kurt Busch. As arguably the most recognizable face in the sport today, it’s no wonder he earns a staggering $16.9 million annually.

Denny Hamlin: $13,100,000

At 42-years-old James Dennis Alan “Denny” Hamlin has been competing in professional stock car racing as a driver and owner of a NASCAR team. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 11 Toyota Camry, and part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 54 Toyota Supra, both for Joe Gibbs Racing. Interestingly, he is the co-owner and operator of 23XI Racing which he founded with basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. He has won 46 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500 in 2016, 2019, and 2020. To that end his only the fourth person to win the race in back-to-back seasons, along with Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, and Sterling Marlin.

Kevin Harvick: $10,900,000

‘Happy Harvick’ holds the all-time record (nine wins) for Cup Series victories at Phoenix Raceway. He’s also the 2014 Cup Series champion, and Xfinity Series champion in 2001 and 2006. ‘The Closer’ (his other nickname), who is also the 2007 Daytona 500 winner, currently ranks third all-time in NASCAR history, following Richard Petty and Kyle Busch, respectively, with 119 combined national series wins. The 46-year-old makes $10,900,000 a year.

Martin Treux Jr.: $10,400,000

Martin Treux Jr. ‘s skill runs in the family as he comes from a line of NASCAR drivers who are either still at it or retired. The 42-year-old from New Jersey is the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion. He’s also a two-time Xfinity Series champion, having won two back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005. Treux Jr. makes $10,400,000 annually.

Brad Keselowski: $9,400,000

A driver, team owner, and entrepreneur, Keselowski competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 6 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing, a team he also co-owns. The 38-year-old is only the second of six drivers who have won both the Cup Series and the Xfinity Series championships. He is also the twenty-fifth driver to win a race in all three national series at NASCAR. Keselowski earns a good $9,400,000 per year.