The Daytona 500 has long been NASCAR’s crown jewel, and its purse has only grown over the years. In 2023, the total prize pool stood at $26.9 million, followed by a significant jump to $28 million in 2024. With increasing media rights deals and sponsorship interest, NASCAR has consistently raised the stakes, making the Daytona 500 one of the richest races in motorsports.

Now, for 2025, NASCAR has one-upped itself yet again. They have revealed the new purse for the 67th running of the Great American Race. Which is a staggering all-time high even from before. This record-breaking figure solidifies the event’s status as a premier sporting spectacle, ensuring that the stakes are higher than ever for the competitors.

Why the Daytona 500 purse matters more than ever

The purse isn’t just a number, it’s a direct reflection of NASCAR’s financial health and growing commercial appeal. A larger purse means bigger payouts for teams, helping relieve the enormous costs of competing in stock car racing’s biggest event. With the new media rights deal kicking in and increased corporate sponsorships, the financial boost is evident in the whopping $30,331,250 Million Purse money.

NASCAR’s decision to push the purse past the $30 million mark is a statement. It surpasses previous records and keeps the Daytona 500 in the conversation alongside major global racing events like the Indy 500 and Monaco Grand Prix. Who entertain audiences with a grand elite sporting spectacle. To put this into perspective, IndyCar’s Indianapolis 500 paid a record-breaking $17 million purse in 2024, significantly less than what NASCAR is offering for the Daytona 500. Even Formula 1, the world’s most expensive motorsport, doesn’t distribute prize money on an event-by-event basis quite like NASCAR, instead allocating funds through a season-long structure. This makes the Daytona 500 a uniquely lucrative opportunity for drivers and teams.

For teams, the increased prize money has a significant impact going forward. Smaller teams see bigger payouts as a financial lifeline in the modern times, helping them sustain operations for the bigger part of the season. Meanwhile, top teams like Hendrick, Penske and Gibbs gain more resources to invest in R&D, performance upgrades, and driver development programs. With so much at stake, expect an intense battle on February 16 as drivers race for a shot at history and a massive payday.

But with this year’s record-breaking purse, some are wondering: if NASCAR is paying out over $30 million for a single race, just how much money is it actually making?

The NASCAR lawsuit: Could it lead to even bigger payouts for Daytona and other races ?

The growing purse figures are a positive sign, but they also raise an important issue that is currently at the center of a legal battle – the NASCAR lawsuit. Teams have long demanded greater transparency regarding NASCAR’s financials, particularly how much of the sport’s massive $7.7 billion broadcasting deals and sponsorship revenues actually make their way back into team pockets.

As it stands, NASCAR has historically kept its financials opaque, with teams relying largely on sponsorships and prize money to operate. However, with teams pushing back against the current revenue-sharing model, and here, the lawsuit could force NASCAR to disclose its profit margins. This, in turn, may pressure the governing body to allocate an even greater share of its profits into purse money, ensuring teams receive a fairer compensation.

If Michael Jordan and Co win this legal battle or reach a favorable settlement, the result could be a domino effect that leads to even higher payouts in the future. NASCAR’s media rights deal, which is worth over $1.1 billion annually, is a key point of contention. If it’s revealed that the France family is keeping an overwhelming share of the profits, teams will have stronger leverage to demand bigger purses and a greater slice of the revenue pie.

With the Daytona 500 purse surpassing $30 million, NASCAR is sending a strong message about its financial health. However, if the lawsuit shakes up the sport’s revenue structure, future Daytona 500s could see even more staggering prize money figures. Could we see a $40 million purse in the next few years? If teams get their way, it’s not out of the question. What’s your thoughts ? Let us know in the comments