So, how much do NASCAR drivers make? It ranges from “I flew here in my private jet” to “I’m sleeping in the van with my crew chief tonight.” The average race winner probably makes more in a weekend than a cardiologist makes in a decade. But the guy who finishes 38th? He’s probably driving a used Toyota Camry to the track. Okay, that’s an exaggeration—it’s a used Dodge.
At the end of the day, driving a stock car is a rare occupation where the price of failure is measured in insurance deductibles and the reward for success is a tax problem. So next time you see a car fly by at 190 mph, remember: that guy is either a multi-millionaire or a very brave, very broke optimist. Either way, he’s having way more fun than you are in rush hour traffic.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go buy a lottery ticket. Because apparently, paying for my own fuel is a luxury in the world of NASCAR.
