NASCAR's highest-paid drivers

Dale Earnhardt Jr., who retired from the track last season, capped his NASCAR career as the highest-earning driver in the sport.

Earnhardt earned a total of $22 million in salary, endorsements and merchandise sales in 2017, according to an annual report from Forbes. That led the pack among all other drivers and catapulted Earnhardt back into first place, a year after a concussion sidelined the fan favorite for most of the season.

The No. 88 Chevrolet driven by Earnhardt attracted an estimated $1 million per race from sponsors. Earnhardt generated about $4 million in personal endorsement contracts from Chevy, Nationwide insurance and other sponsors.

Earnhardt, who has begun a new career as an NBC Sports analyst, brought in approximately $410 million in career earnings. Jeff Gordon, who retired from full-time racing after the 2015 season, is the only driver to earn more.


Source : Foxbusiness