Xfinity Star Humbles Entire NASCAR Garage With Unnerving Career Reveal

Being a NASCAR driver is a pretty sweet gig, right? The top stars are rolling in millions, thanks to fat contracts, sponsorship deals, and prize money. Even the mid-tier and lower-level drivers manage to make a solid living, whether through racing alone or by hustling on the side. But what if you’re not a full-time driver with a guaranteed salary? What if you’re just starting out, grinding your way up the ranks, trying to make ends meet while chasing your racing dreams? Well, that’s where things get interesting.

Enter Brad Perez – a NASCAR driver who isn’t just racing for a paycheck. He’s doing everything to keep his career alive. And when we say everything, we mean everything.

You won’t believe just how many hats he wears!

Is being a NASCAR driver not a lucrative job anymore? Ask Brad Perez

Brad Perez’s journey in motorsports is a testament to versatility and dedication. He began his professional racing career in 2021, debuting in the ARCA Menards Series with Josh Williams Motorsports at Watkins Glen International. He currently competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 45 Chevrolet Camaro for Alpha Prime Racing. In a recent interview with Mamba Smith on NASCAR Daily, Perez revealed that he isn’t confined to just this role.

Beyond driving, Perez contributes to the sport through instructional roles. He serves as an instructor at the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina, a facility offering various driving experiences to enhance car control skills. Additionally, he instructs at the Ford Performance Racing School in Concord, North Carolina, located at the renowned Charlotte Motor Speedway. This school provides programs for drivers at all levels, emphasizing track driving fundamentals.

Perez’s involvement extends to team operations. He works as a mechanic as well as a driver for Alpha Prime Racing. This dual role allows him to understand the intricacies of vehicle performance, contributing to both his personal development and the team’s success.

Demonstrating his adaptability, Perez also maintains the grounds for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. This position, completely unrelated to professional racing, highlights his willingness to embrace diverse roles outside the industry.​

Managing these varied responsibilities requires exceptional time management and commitment. Perez’s multifaceted career reflects a relentless pursuit of his passion for motorsports, showcasing his ability to adapt and thrive in multiple capacities.

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The reality of making it in NASCAR

Brad Perez isn’t an isolated case. Several NASCAR drivers face huge financial issues, forcing them to find side hustles just to stay in the sport. Even at the Cup level, the money isn’t what it used to be. Kyle Larson told Kenny Wallace, “Cup drivers aren’t making as much as WoO speedsters.” That’s a stark contrast to the golden era when stars like Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon pulled in tens of millions annually.

NASCAR’s financial landscape has shifted drastically. In 2024, sponsorship revenues fell by nearly 16%, dropping from $425.06 million to $362.34 million. This decline affects not just team operations but also driver salaries, especially for mid-pack and lower-tier racers. Many now rely on patchwork sponsorships and side gigs just to keep their racing dreams alive.

Lower-tier drivers often juggle multiple roles to sustain their racing careers. Brad Perez exemplifies this hustle, balancing positions as a driving instructor, mechanic, driver, groundskeeper, and marketing salesperson. Such multifaceted engagements are becoming increasingly common as drivers seek financial stability.​

The disparity in prize money across NASCAR’s series further exacerbates these challenges. While the Cup Series boasts substantial prize pools, the Xfinity and Truck Series lag significantly behind. For instance, the 2025 Ambetter Health 400’s prize pool reached $11,055,250. The 2025 Xfinity Series purse, on the other hand, was set at $1,651,939. This highlights the financial gap between the series.

This financial strain isn’t limited to drivers alone. Teams like 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan, have taken legal action against NASCAR, alleging restrictive economic practices that hinder fair revenue distribution. Such measures reflect the broader challenges within the sport’s economic structure.

In essence, while NASCAR continues to captivate audiences, the financial realities for many of its drivers and teams are increasingly complex. Addressing these disparities is crucial for the sport’s sustained growth and the well-being of its participants. The sport is definitely at a crossroads, and for drivers like Brad Perez, finding financial stability isn’t just a challenge, it’s a way of life.