Which Luxury Cars Does Your Favorite Driver Own?

^{Dec 12, 2024 | Edition #109}

👋 Dear Motorheads,

With race purses topping nearly a million dollars per event, it’s no surprise that Cup drivers are cashing in big. Just look at Kyle Larson’s lifestyle, and you’ll know. But have you ever wondered exactly how much NASCAR’s top drivers make? Well, the Lucky Dog does, and we’re not holding back our findings!

Quick Peek Into Today’s Stories:

🤩 NASCAR’s Highest-Paid Drivers!

🎯 Dale Jr’s ‘OG’ #8 Car Returns

📉 What Led to Jeff Gordon’s Downfall?

🏝️ Kyle Busch’s Off-Season Shenanigans!

🔎 The In-Depth View

NASCAR's Richest Drivers Revealed!

It doesn’t come as a surprise, but while NASCAR’s lower divisions may face financial challenges, the sport’s top drivers are making bank. So here’s the Lucky Dog’s rundown of the 5 highest-paid NASCAR drivers and their prized possessions:

#5 Joey Logano

The Cup Champion is living the dream as one of NASCAR’s most successful and highest-paid drivers! A three-time title holder and a master of the playoff format, he’s raking in $9 million a year with Team Penske. Add another $1.4 million from big-name sponsors like Shell and Pennzoil, and it’s no surprise his 2024 net worth sits at a whopping $44 million.

Logano doesn’t shy away from spending it lavishly. His elaborate car collection is well-known and includes some classics. You can check it out right here.

#4 Brad Keselowski

Next up is the RFK co-owner, Logano’s former Penske teammate. Brad Keselowski has also earned a solid $9.4 million annually as a driver and also made a savvy investment when he bought a stake in the Roush Fenway Keselowski team in 2021. As a result, his net worth is estimated at $45 million. Despite that, Keselowski keeps his personal life pretty low-key.

#3 Martin Truex Jr

MTJ may have retired from full-time racing. But during his prime, he has been estimated to make $10.4 million annually with Joe Gibbs Racing. If you ask the Lucky Dog, it is all justified considering, he didn’t come from money and had to work his way there.

Now, after a two-decade-long career and millions made in endorsements, Truex owns a lavish mansion in Mooresville, worth over $2.6 Million. And, for those who don’t know, MTJ’s net worth is estimated to be around $40 Million, thanks to MTJ Aviation. Here’s a closer look at his newest private jet.

#2 Denny Hamlin

Yes, his championship may be pending, but there's no debate that Hamlin is one of the best out there. His annual salary is $13.1 Million. He is as marketable as they come and has had probably some of the biggest brands with him, be it FedEx, Coca-Cola, or Nike. Hamlin earns $3-3.5 Million in endorsements alone. So it’s not surprising that the 23XI Racing co-owner has an estimated net worth of $65 Million.

His breathtaking Lake Norman mansion, valued at more than $10 Million, has a bowling alley, a basketball court, and a racing simulator. In addition to that, the #11 driver, like Logano, also boasts a crazy car collection. Check out his luxurious lifestyle in the video below!

#1 Kyle Busch 

Now, the top name on this list is hardly a guess. It's Kyle Busch earning 16.9 Million Dollars annually. It seems like Lake Norman is a hotspot for NASCAR's top dogs. It is not certain where Busch is currently staying, but not so long ago, he listed his 15,000sq ft house at Lake Norman, worth $13 Million for sale.

With an $80 Million net worth, Busch too owns a car collection. But his is more like memorabilia than supercars that could tear up the streets.

Now, you might be wondering why this list is missing some of your favorites, like Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott. Well, the two don’t crack the top 5 list with their pay. Having said that, the Lucky Dog knows you’re curious to know the numbers anyway. So here is a list comprising the salaries for the Top 25 Richest NASCAR Drivers.

Isn't it fascinating to peek into the lavish lifestyles of NASCAR's top drivers? But let's be real - we'd all love to build our own wealth and live the high life. Luckily, our sponsors for today can help you get started. Check them out below!

🏁 Lucky Dog’s Quick Poll 🏁

📈 Trending News

The #8 Car We All Love Is Back!

Get ready for a serious blast from the past! When Sammy Smith takes the green flag for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona, his car is going to have a familiar number on it that will instantly get fans talking. It’s not just any number—it’s the iconic #8 in the very same font that made Dale Earnhardt Jr a household name in NASCAR.

That same font, which helped Junior during his days at DEI, is coming back after 17 long years. And while the number has made a few appearances on JR Motorsports’ Late-Model cars in recent seasons, it’s been missing that signature, stylized font that fans know and love. Here are a couple of pictures that will surely make you nostalgic!

It was Junior’s success that turned it into one of the most iconic numbers in the sport. But getting the No. 8 hasn’t been easy for Junior. After Teresa Earnhardt owned it for many years, Dale Jr finally succeeded in bringing the number back into the fold.

This emotional moment came when he raced a red Budweiser No. 8 Late Model at the South Carolina 400. That race was just a preview of what’s to come, though. As Dale puts it, he “can’t wait to see it on the car in Daytona.”

Since the next season is still a few months away, here is a sneak peek into the first paint scheme for the new #8 car.

🗞️ NASCAR Shorts!

NASCAR President Open to Change Playoffs

So, what's the state of NASCAR? Pretty strong, if you ask President Steve Phelps. After a competitive season, Phelps is feeling optimistic. And for good reason - 18 different winners and a nail-biting championship playoff made for some thrilling racing. Throw in increased TV ratings and attendance, and it's clear NASCAR is shifting into high gear. But of course, no season is perfect.

This time, fans have criticized the playoff format. But Phelps is open to tweaks - as long as they're made with input from drivers, teams, and NASCAR officials. Despite that, he is stoked about the billion-dollar media deal and international racing opportunities. So with a solid foundation, Phelps is confident NASCAR will continue to speed toward success. Here is the Full Story.

🔎 The In-Depth View

The Unfortunate Downfall of Jeff Gordon

You all know Jeff Gordon’s career in NASCAR is legendary! The four-time Cup champion dominated races, battled legends like Dale Earnhardt Sr, and racked up double-digit wins in multiple seasons. But have you ever wondered why he couldn’t crack into the exclusive 7-championship club?

It all started in 2005. After finishing 3rd the previous year, Gordon managed to win 4 races. But, his performance dived, and he ended up 11th in points—his lowest finish since his rookie season in 1993. Why? Gordon had started dealing with some serious back issues, and had some “pain and spasms in his lower back during races.” 

But being a tough competitor, he brushed it off and kept going. In 2006, he bounced back, finishing 6th in the standings, and in 2007, he came close to winning his fifth title but ended up 2nd. Then came 2008, a tough year for Gordon where he went winless for the first time since 1994.

Remember the crash at Watkins Glen in 2009? Here is a clip the crash that worsened his condition. While Jeff said, "Let's stop talking about my back… I'm fine,” things weren’t fine.

Despite that, Gordon kept pushing. He raced for five more years before finally calling it quits in January 2015. But his real concern? “If I race longer, am I going to be walking around on crutches or in a wheelchair?”

So, Gordon decided it was time to hang up the helmet. His final Cup Series race came in 2016 at the Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville, where he finished 6th. And, eventually, he transitioned to being the Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports.

Continue Reading: Jeff Gordon Playfully Calls Out His NASCAR Successor’s Irresponsible Trait

🌊 The Off-Season Wave

What's Kyle, Brexton, Lennix & Samantha Upto?

Alright, folks, after you loved our story on Ryan Blaney’s wedding prep, we’ve decided to bring you more scoop on the offseason wave. And this time, it’s all about what Kyle Busch has been up to! And let us tell you, it’s not all just him and his wife, Samantha, joking around—or doing donuts with the kids (though that definitely happened too).

Now, you might think that after what was, by his standards, a rough NASCAR Cup season, Kyle would take some time off to chill and relax. But nope! Instead, Busch decided to step out of his comfort zone and dive into something totally new—Midget Racing! 

With his eyes set on the big prize of the Chili Bowl 2025, he’s all in. So, what did he do first? He squeezed himself into a tiny car (which was pretty funny) and took a few test laps at Rockfish Speedway to get a feel for it. But before diving into racing, Kyle found some time to balance family and fun.

He, Samantha, and their son, Brexton, made it out to a Raiders game. Unfortunately, the Raiders lost to the Denver Broncos, but hey, it’s still fun to cheer on your home team from the sidelines, right? Then, next on his list was to attend Formula 1’s Las Vegas GP. 

While he did not pick sides in the ‘Kyle Larson vs Max Verstappen’ debate, he did admit to feeling a little “jealous” that nobody ever compared him to Lewis Hamilton. Regardless, Busch had a blast witnessing Verstappen bag his fourth championship. To say the least, he and Samantha looked stunning during the night race.

Coming back to his Midget race calendar, Rowdy was feeling pretty confident. But just when he looked ready to take the lead, disaster struck. Sparks flew from his car’s exhaust, and just like that, his race was over. Talk about bad luck!

Amid his off-season racing ventures, Busch made sure to squeeze in some beach time in California. But before you know it, it was time for Kyle Busch to finally head to Ventura Raceway. Unfortunately, things didn’t go much better there. Another mechanical failure took him out. Looks like he’s going to need a bit more luck before January’s big event.

So, there you have it. Kyle Busch’s off-season is packed with racing, family, and a bit of downtime. But don’t count him out yet—he’s got big plans for 2025!

Continue Reading: Kyle Busch Focusing on the Big Picture After an Abysmal Season

📰 Lucky Dog's Recommended Reads

1. Chase Elliott’s NAPA Paint Scheme Revealed - Full Story

2. Amy Earnhardt Unveils Dale Jr's 'Arch Nemesis' - Full Story

3. Ty Gibbs’ Heartfelt Note to Deceased Father Leaves NASCAR Community Heartbroken - Full Story

4. Recently Sacked, Corey LaJoie Hints at Cup Series Return With Cryptic Message - Full Story

5. Kyle Larson’s False Hope Shut Down by NASCAR President - Full Story

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