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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 10: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, lead the field to turn one after taking the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bluegreen Vacations 500 at ISM Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 10: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, lead the field to turn one after taking the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bluegreen Vacations 500 at ISM Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The valuation of NASCAR has increased in recent times, thanks to the sport’s biggest stars. Naturally, the drivers receive good remuneration, based on the reported NASCAR salaries contracts with their respective teams, along with sponsorship and endorsement agreements.
Without further delay, we look at the latest estimates of the total earnings of the top-10 highest-earning drivers in NASCAR in the year 2020.
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1) Kyle Busch – $17.8 million
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KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Halloween Toyota, stands on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion leads the way in the division and is obviously a great brand by himself. With the likes of M&M and Mars emblazoning his cars’ paint schemes, Kyle Busch has built his reputation as a solid race-winner.
He also co-owns the ‘Kyle Busch Motorsports’ team, which operates in the NASCAR Truck Series and Nationwide Series.
2) Jimmie Johnson – $17.6 million
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HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 20: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, poses for a portrait after winning the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/NASCAR via Getty Images)
The former Hendrick Motorsports man obviously finds himself atop this list, owing to his association with several known brands. A reputed name in the NASCAR circuit, his success in winning the Cup Series title seven times saw him become one of the best drivers of all-time.
Johnson retired from the division following the 2020 campaign and now moves to the IndyCar series.
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3) Denny Hamlin – $14.6 million
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BRISTOL, TN – APRIL 06: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, prepares to drive during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The 2020 Daytona 500 winner has been around for quite some time in the Cup Series now. Competing with Joe Gibbs Racing for close to two decades, Hamlin has a host of partnerships to his name, such as Nike, FedEx, and Coca-Cola.
He recently became a NASCAR team co-owner, now operating the ‘23XI Racing’ team together with Michael Jordan.
4) Kevin Harvick – $12.2 million
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PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 09: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at ISM Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Absolutely phenomenal in the 2020 season, Harvick showed why he is one of the well-paid drivers out there. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver is already one of the big names in the sport, and for good reason.
He will headline the team’s challenge to win a Cup Series title in 2021 and starts as a favorite.
5) Martin Truex Jr – $11.5 million
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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 08: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 SiriusXM Toyota, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Clash at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Another quality driver at a premier organization called Joe Gibbs Racing is Martin Truex Jr. A Cup champion in the 2017 season, his reputation has soared in recent times. The 40-year-old had a good 2020 season, posting one win at Martinsville and securing 13 top-five finishes.
6) Brad Keselowski – $10.4 million
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LOUDON, NH – SEPTEMBER 19: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, sits in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Team Penske’s No.2 team driver secured four race wins this year and reached the ‘Championship 4” stage. He also owns the ‘Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing’ and previously operated a racing team named ‘Brad Keselowski Racing’.
7) Chase Elliott – $10.2 million
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WATKINS GLEN, NY – AUGUST 05: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 SunEnergy1 Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GoBowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
The 25-year-old was bang for the buck this season. He went all the way to win the Cup Series championship after a thrilling race at Phoenix Raceway.
8) Joey Logano – $10 million
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KANSAS CITY, KS – MAY 10: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Wurth Ford, walk on pit road during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Digital Ally 400 at Kansas Speedway on in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
One of Team Penske’s most valuable drivers, Logano qualified for the ‘Championship 4’ race this year. He secured three wins this year, including a stunning playoffs victory in Kansas.
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9) Kyle Larson – $8.8 million
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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 07: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 McDonald’s Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Previously contracted to Chip Ganassi, Larson switches teams for the new season, joining Hendrick Motorsports. The Cup Series driver also won this year’s dirt-track racing event, the Chili Bowl Nationals.
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10) Clint Bowyer – $6.9 million
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 30: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil 1 Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Moving away from professional Cup Series driving after this year, Bowyer remains one of the sport’s most famous personalities. In his 15-year racing career, Bowyer drove for teams like Richard Childress Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing.
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