7 of the richest Nascar drivers of 2024 – net worths, ranked: from Jeff Gordon to Danica Patrick
- From legends Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jimmie Johnson to now-retired racer Kevin Harvick who works at Fox Sports, these stars rake in millions
Move over, Formula One and MotoGP drivers - there's another breed of motorists who are raking in millions, without the overly expensive vehicles. Nascar, or National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is all about driving cars that are available to the public, otherwise known as stock cars.
Fans cheering at a Nascar race in Daytona Beach, Florida, US. Photo: USA Today
That means, unlike other motorsports, anyone with enough skill and determination who purchases a car and modifies it to Nascar standards can technically get in on the action. Founded back in 1948 by Bill France Sr in Daytona Beach, Florida, Nascar has boomed in popularity over the years, hosting more than 1,200 races in over 30 US states, Canada, Mexico and Europe.
So who are the richest Nascar drivers on the track? Here's how the sport's wealthiest drivers stack up, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
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7. Danica Patrick, 42
Estimated net worth: US$80 million
Danica Patrick is one of the richest female athletes in 2024. Photo: @danicapatrick/Instagram
One of the most successful women in the history of motorsports, Danica Patrick is also one of the wealthiest women in motor racing. To date, her win at the Indy Japan 300 in 2008 is the only victory by a woman in an IndyCar Series race ever. In 2013, she transitioned to the Nascar Cup Series, later becoming the first woman to win a Nascar Cup Series pole.
Since retiring in 2018, she's gone on to become a branding powerhouse, releasing her own podcast, wine label Somnium, athleisure collection Warrior by Danica Patrick, and a candle line called Voyant by Danica.
6. Kyle Busch, 39
Estimated net worth: US$80 million
Kyle Busch can definitely afford a lavish lifestyle for his family. Photo: @samanthabusch/Instagram
The younger brother of racer Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch earned around US$100 million in prize money during his driving career, per Celebrity Net Worth. He also owned his own team, Kyle Busch Motorsports, which he sold in 2023.
5. Tony Stewart, 53
Estimated net worth: US$90 million
Racing driver Tony Stewart seems like he's no stranger to cameras. Photo: @tsrsmoke/Instagram
During his driving career, Stewart won the Nascar Cup Series three times and is the first person in history to win a championship in both IndyCar and Nascar. Stewart also launched the Tony Stewart Foundation, which supports chronically ill children and drivers injured in motorsports activities.
4. Kevin Harvick, 48
Estimated net worth: US$110 million
Kevin Harvick works for Fox Sports after his retirement. Photo: @kevinharvick/Instagram
After winning the Cup Series in 2014, nine Xfinity Series races in 2006 and the Daytona 500 in 2007, Nascar hero Kevin Harvick announced his retirement in 2023. This year, he became a full-time TV analyst for Fox Sports, per USA Today.
3. Jimmie Johnson, 48
Estimated net worth: US$160 million
Jimmie Johnson was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame and the Nascar Hall of Fame this year. Photo: @jimmiejohnson/Instagram
After competing in the Nascar Cup Series between 2002 and 2020, and becoming the only driver to win five consecutive championships, Jimmie Johnson went on to drive in the NTT IndyCar Series afterwards. Between 2017 and 2019, he was Nascar's highest-paid driver, earning an impressive US$17.5 million in 2019, according to Yahoo! Finance.
2. Jeff Gordon, 52
Estimated net worth: US$200 million
Jeff Gordon is widely considered one of the most influential drivers in Nascar history. Photo: @jeffgordonweb/Instagram
One of the highest-paid drivers of all time, former stock car racer Jeff Gordon earned over US$500 million in prize money and endorsements during his Nascar career, per Celebrity Net Worth. The three-time Daytona 500 champion now acts as the vice-chairman of Hendrick Motorsports.
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr, 49
Estimated net worth: US$300 million
Dale Earnhardt Jr comes from a family of racers. Photo: @allyracing/Instagram
The son of seven-time Nascar Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr was born with stock car racing in his blood. Since 2003, he was voted Nascar's most popular driver 15 times in a row and got the nickname "Pied Piper of Daytona" after winning the Daytona 500 twice in 2004 and 2014.
After his retirement in 2017, he's become a team owner, author and television commentator, proving he's still the king of Nascar with a fortune to back it up.
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