The days of the $10 million driver salary are just about done (Jimmie Johnson is the last remaining one, according to multiple sources). Salaries for new drivers are typically six figures with only a handful of drivers earning more than $4 million in base salary.
The 10 top-earning drivers made $116 million combined last year from salaries, endorsements and their share of race winnings and licensing revenue. The total is off 36% from a decade ago (46% adjusted for inflation). In addition to lower salaries, the downturn in licensing earnings and endorsements for the new crop of drivers has been steep.
Johnson is Nascar’s highest-paid driver for the second time in three years. He earned $17.5 million in 2018 by Forbes’ count from his Hendrick Motorsports salary and his cut of winnings and licensing. His earnings also include personal endorsements with the likes of Chevrolet, Gatorade and Seiko.
Johnson’s $17.5 million tally last year is half of what Earnhardt earned a decade prior as the highest-paid Nascar driver.
See the list of top 10 drivers are Forbes.
Hat tip: Adam Stern
.@JimmieJohnson is the last NASCAR driver making $10 million or more annually in base salary, per @Forbes' 2019 highest paid driver list:
– https://t.co/L44SlWKcQ7 pic.twitter.com/MjTTZvj9h9
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) July 1, 2019