Denny Hamlin Says He Makes $14 Million Driving In NASCAR — Where Does That Rank?
Denny Hamlin came up short for the NASCAR Cup Series championship this year, but it sounds like his bank account is no worse for wear.
Hamlin was on the stand in court on Tuesday testifying in the antitrust trial brought against NASCAR by the 23XI Racing team he co-owns and Front Row Motorsports.
During cross-examination, NASCAR lawyer Lawrence Buterman was asking some financial questions and Hamlin revealed that he makes around $14 million driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, according to Sports Business Journal reporter Adam Stern.
That figure lines up pretty closely with a $13.1 million estimate reported on by Front Office Sports in its 2024 rankings for driver salaries. Hamlin won six races during the 2025 season and finished second in the driver’s championship standings.
CLICK TO BOOST AMERICAN CARS AND AND RACING IN YOUR SEARCH RESULTS
Hamlin was second on the list to his former teammate Kyle Busch, who made $16.9 million in his second season at Richard Childress Racing, which is roughly what previous reports said he was paid at Joe Gibbs Racing. Third was Martin Truex Jr., who earned $10.4 million in his final year driving full time in NASCAR for Joe Gibbs Racing.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE AMERICAN CARS AND RACING NEWSLETTER FOR THE LATEST UDATES AND MORE
Brad Keselowski was fourth with $9.4 million at RFK Racing, in which he has an ownership stake, and Team Penske driver Joey Logano was fifth at $9 million in a championship year. Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott tied for sixth at $8 million.
Hamlin is in a unique position among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, working as a driver for one team and a co-owner for another. The plaintiffs are asking for $205 million in damages, according to Buterman, which is tied to what they argue is the anti-competitive nature of NASCAR operations.
Follow American Cars And Racing across our social media on X, Flipboard, YouTube, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook.