Top 15 Highest NASCAR Driver Salaries for 2025
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Explore the top NASCAR driver salaries for 2025, including the highest-paid drivers like Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and more. Learn about the growing debate over driver compensation in NASCAR.
Revealed: The 15 Highest NASCAR Cup Series Driver Salaries for 2025
The NASCAR world is buzzing as two teams—23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports—have raised concerns over low driver salaries compared to the sport’s growing revenue. As the debate over compensation intensifies, we’ve compiled the salaries of the top 15 highest-paid drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2025, drawing from data sources including Spotrac, SalarySport, and NASCAR press releases.
15. Ross Chastain – $2.1 Million
Driver of the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing car, Ross Chastain is known for his unique “Hail Melon” wall-ride and his impressive racing background. As an eighth-generation watermelon farmer from Alva, Florida, Chastain has leveraged his passion for motorsports into a career, with an estimated salary of $2.1 million per year.
14. Bubba Wallace – $2.2 Million
Bubba Wallace, the No. 23 driver for 23XI Racing, made history as the second Black driver to win a Cup Series race. Since joining the team, Wallace has seen his salary rise to approximately $2.2 million per year, solidifying his place in NASCAR's growing spotlight.
13. Erik Jones – $2.3 Million
Driver of the No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota, Erik Jones has reconnected with the manufacturer that helped develop his early career. With an annual salary of around $2.3 million, Jones continues to make strides in the NASCAR ranks.
12. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – $3 Million
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., piloting the No. 47 car for JTG Daugherty Racing, earns an estimated $3 million per year. With 14 years of experience in top-level stock car racing, Stenhouse continues to remain a reliable fixture in the Cup Series.
11. Austin Dillon – $3.5 Million
Austin Dillon drives the iconic No. 3 car for Richard Childress Racing. His base salary is around $3.5 million annually, but his earnings are bolstered by an additional $4 million from personal sponsorships, bringing his total yearly income to a whopping $7.5 million.
10. Alex Bowman – $3.5 Million
Alex Bowman, the driver for Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 48 car, makes an estimated salary of $3.5 million to $4.5 million. Known for his five consecutive front-row starts at the Daytona 500, Bowman is a rising star in the NASCAR world.
9. Michael McDowell – $3.7 Million
Michael McDowell of Front Row Motorsports earns approximately $3.7 million per year. McDowell transitioned from open-wheel and sports car racing into stock car racing in 2006, and his consistent performance keeps him firmly within NASCAR's upper echelons.
8. Daniel Suarez – $4.5 Million
Daniel Suarez, the No. 99 driver for Trackhouse Racing, is one of the top NASCAR drivers from Mexico. With an estimated salary of $4.5 million, Suarez will race in front of his home crowd in 2025, continuing to raise his profile as a Cup Series contender.
7. Chase Elliott – $8 Million
The fan-favorite Chase Elliott, driving the No. 9 car for Hendrick Motorsports, is the winner of multiple NASCAR fan-voted accolades. As the 2020 Cup Series champion, Elliott commands an estimated salary of $8 million per year, making him one of the sport’s top earners.
6. Kyle Larson – $8 Million
Kyle Larson, the No. 5 driver for Hendrick Motorsports, also earns around $8 million annually in his NASCAR contract. Larson’s high-profile career extends beyond NASCAR, with the driver also earning a hefty paycheck from his 18th-place finish in the 2024 Indianapolis 500, where he claimed Rookie of the Year honors.
5. Joey Logano – $9 Million
Joey Logano, the No. 22 driver for Team Penske, is one of the sport’s most successful drivers, with two Cup Series championships to his name. His contract with Penske pays him approximately $9 million per year, placing him among the highest earners in NASCAR.
4. Brad Keselowski – $9.4 Million
Brad Keselowski has made the jump to team co-ownership with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, where he drives the No. 6 car. With his involvement in the ownership aspect of the team, Keselowski's estimated annual salary is $9.4 million, further demonstrating his success in both racing and business.
3. Martin Truex Jr. – $10.4 Million
Martin Truex Jr., the driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, is expected to retire at the end of the 2024 Cup Series season. Truex has made an estimated $10.4 million annually, but his retirement will mark the end of an era for the successful driver.
2. Denny Hamlin – $13.1 Million
Denny Hamlin, the driver of the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing and co-owner of 23XI Racing, has built a business empire alongside his racing career. With his contract with JGR and his ownership stake, Hamlin earns around $13.1 million annually, making him one of NASCAR’s most influential figures both on and off the track.
1. Kyle Busch – $16.9 Million
The highest-paid NASCAR driver is Kyle Busch, driving the No. 8 car for Richard Childress Racing. Known for his longevity and success in the sport, Busch’s estimated salary stands at $16.9 million per year, cementing his place as one of the most successful and highest-paid drivers in NASCAR history.
The Growing Debate Over NASCAR Driver Pay
While the top drivers are certainly well-compensated, the recent outcry from teams like 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports highlights an ongoing issue with driver salaries in NASCAR. As the sport continues to grow in popularity and profitability, it remains to be seen how driver compensation will evolve moving forward.
As NASCAR prepares for the 2025 season, these top earners will remain in the spotlight, while the rest of the driver field continues to push for more equitable pay in a rapidly changing landscape. Stay tuned for more updates on driver salaries and NASCAR news.
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