Martin Truex Jr., the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series driver champion, will receive a series single-season record payout of $2,537,171 for his efforts this year. Truex collected over $1 million in race winnings ($1,180,600) as well as with his share of the series point fund ($1,247,071).
The $6,235,356 point fund includes a record $3.3 million contribution from series sponsor Anheuser-Busch. Anheuser-Busch’s commitment to the NASCAR Busch Series will increase again for the 2005 season.
Truex is the second driver in the 23-year history of the series to total over $2 million, and bettered the previous single-season earnings mark set by Greg Biffle in 2002 ($2,337,254).
The balance of Truex’s total – $109,500 – comes via various contingency awards which include: the Busch Pole Award ($30,000), the Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award ($20,000), the Goodyear Tire Award ($15,000), the MBNA Mid-Race Leader Award ($12,000), the Sunoco Diamond Performance Award ($12,500) and the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award ($20,000).
In addition to Truex’s record mark in 2004:
- Truex and series runner-up Kyle Busch both exceeded $2 million in total awards and race winnings, the first time in series history two drivers earned $2 million.
- Busch’s total is a record for a NASCAR Busch Series rookie (previous mark held by Greg Biffle – $1,623,546 – in 2001).
- Four other NASCAR Busch Series drivers joined Truex and Busch in exceeding $1 million in race winnings – third-place Biffle ($1,007,530), fourth-place Ron Hornaday Jr. ($1,103,045), sixth-place Jason Keller ($1,048,830) and seventh-place David Green ($1,068,610).
- Keller, whose total payout is $1,345,009, builds on his title as the NASCAR Busch Series’ all-time leading money winner with a career total of $9,395,624.
(NASCAR PR)(12-11-2004)