Jimmie Johnson‘s dominance in NASCAR over the past decade has been nothing short of remarkable. Time and again, he and his team have displayed a level of skill and consistency that seems almost unbeatable. In his journey from a rookie to a legendary driver in NASCAR, he has built his own legacy.

The milestones he has reached throughout his career are nearly beyond imagination, setting new standards of excellence in the sport. It looks like this time around, fans, after witnessing a new record set by Johnson, are voting their concern over what they perceive as “corporate greed” within the sport.

Jimmie Johnson sets a new All-Star record

Jimmie Johnson has once again etched his name in the NASCAR record books by setting a new All-Star record. In 2023, Johnson achieved a milestone that solidified his status as a NASCAR legend by becoming the only driver in history to win over $1 million in the NASCAR All-Star Race, setting a new record that showcased his exceptional talent on track.

While this is an impressive record held by Johnson, a recent tweet by Brian Murphy caught fans’ attention. Murphy’s tweet comparing the prize money in NASCAR and the PGA has stirred discussions among fans. “Jimmie Johnson became the first driver to win more than $1 million in the NASCAR #AllStarRace Race in 2003. The race still pays $1,000,000 which after factoring inflation, is worth roughly $550,000. Rory McIlroy earned $3.6 million, winning the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship,” the tweet read. 

Meanwhile, fans are starting to question NASCAR’s prize structure

The tweet highlights the disparity in earnings between NASCAR’s All-Star Race, which pays $1 million, and professional golfer Rory McLlory’s stagging $3.6 million win at the 2024 Well Fargo Championship. This stark contract has drawn attention to the financial dynamics within various sports and sparked conversations about athlete earnings and the values of different competitions.

One fan commented, “Corporate Greed,” suggesting and criticizing NASCAR for prioritizing financial interests over the competitive aspect of the sport. Another fan recalled the first ever All-Star, then called Winson Million, when Bill Elliott won the $1 million bonus: “Let’s also not forget Bill Elliott earned the Winston $1-million bonus in 1985. It’s now 2024.”

Another fan further explained, “I mean RJR paid the Winston million in 1985.  But who is paying for this?  Maybe that’s the key here.  Chances are they couldn’t find a partner to sponsor the program or the idea was conceived after the premier partner deals were finalized.”

Some even pointed out the impact of inflation on the perceived value of money over the years.“Exactly, especially with inflation whenever the media tries to say the All-Star race is worth a million dollars I kind of laugh at that. It isn’t that much nowadays.” When the media claims the prize money is worth $1 million, it’s likely based on the nominal prize amount, considering inflation.

One fan highlighted the decline in the popularity of the sport since the early 2000s, which could be the reason why the prize money hasn’t seen a significant increase, “And sports popularity has deflated since the early 2000’s so no surprise the money hasn’t really gone up.”

As fans continue to discuss prize money and corporate partnerships, these concerns reflect their passion for the sport and the evolution of NASCAR in the modern era.