Title: “NASCAR Giants Dale Earnhardt Jr and Denny Hamlin Among World’s Wealthiest Drivers”
Key Takeaways:
– Dale Earnhardt Jr and Denny Hamlin feature among the world’s richest drivers, with Dale possessing a net worth of approximately $300 million.
– A total of nine NASCAR drivers made it to the top 40 in the recent MvpMode rankings.
– Michael Schumacher tops the list with an estimated net worth of $600 million.
– Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and other NASCAR stars also feature prominently on the list.
– NASCAR’s wealth is on the rise, with substantial sources of income like media deals and legal sports gambling.
A recent report by MvpMode showcased the wealthiest 40 drivers worldwide and it featured some prominent NASCAR names. NASCAR veterans, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Denny Hamlin made the list, a testament to their illustrious racing careers and entrepreneurial endeavors.
**NASCAR’s Wealthy Ones**
Among the wealthiest drivers globally, Earnhardt Jr., with an estimated net worth of $300 million, took the second overall spot. His wealth is attributed to race winnings, advertising deals, running a car in the NASCAR Xfinity series, and his burgeoning multimedia empire.
Ranked third among the world’s richest drivers is Jeff Gordon, who has a net worth estimated at $200 million. He is heralded as a pivotal figure in increasing NASCAR’s popularity nationwide beyond his 93 victories on the track. Gordon currently serves as the vice-chairman of Hendrick Motorsports.
A surprising name in the top ten richest drivers is Jimmie Johnson, despite amassing only a $160 million fortune compared to his counterparts. Johnson, now retired, compiled an impressive 83 victories and seven titles during his career.
**Rich List Representation**
Formula 1 drivers dominated the list. However, NASCAR held its ground, holding nine of the top 40 spots. The list of NASCAR drivers also includes Tony Stewart ($90 million), Kyle Busch ($80 million), Kevin Harvick ($70 million), Kurt Busch ($70 million), and Ryan Newman ($50 million).
Beyond the list, Danica Patrick’s name rings a bell – a former IndyCar and NASCAR driver, with an estimated net worth of $80 million, adds to the NASCAR representation.
**Increasing The Cash Pot**
Signs indicate these enormous fortunes may increase in the future. NASCAR recently struck a 7-year media deal worth $7.7 billion with media giants FOX Sports, NBC Peacock, TNT, and Amazon Prime. This lucrative deal, coupled with 20% of legal sports gambling in the U.S linked to NASCAR, puts the sport in a strong financial position.
The organization also plans to expand its popularity beyond traditional audiences by attempting to appeal to Hispanic viewers and exploring potential international races. Additionally, several non-race, NASCAR-related content such as Netflix’s NASCAR Full Speed and the upcoming romcom, Clean Air, plan to leverage the popularity of the sport further.
**Drivers Turned Entrepreneurs**
Within this wealth surge, top drivers are demonstrating their acumen through media and startups. Denny Hamlin co-owns 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. operates Dirty Mo Media, among other projects. Kevin Harvick has delved into broadcast, further proving that a successful racing career can open several additional professional doors.
Changes seem to be just around the turn for NASCAR. With the platform Verizon and the drivers themselves create, the already-popular sport stands a chance to ascend to even greater heights financially and broad-richingly.
Source: [Dale Jr. and Denny Hamlin Among the Richest Drivers in the World](https://heavy.com/sports/nascar/dale-hamlin-richest-drivers/)