“Guys are happy to say they’re Cup Series drivers”: When Kyle Larson brought up pay discrepancy comparing it to Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon

2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson commented on the pay differences between current NASCAR drivers and legends like Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon.

Earlier this year (January 2024), Henrick Motorsports' Larson told Kenny Wallace that he is doing well financially but still earns less than what Johnson and Gordon made in the 2000s. Larson makes about eight million annually in 2024 (per Front Office Sports).

"You still have your top-tier drivers that probably still are not making anywhere near what Jimmy Johnson or Jeff Gordon or anything like that. I make a really good living, like, I'm totally happy with my contract and all that. But it's still not to nearly the level, probably not close to even half of maybe what Jimmy was getting paid in his heyday. But I still know I'm making way more than a good majority of the field," Kyle Larson said (00:40).

Larson pointed out how many drivers today are just happy to be a part of the Cup Series, which may make it harder to negotiate higher salaries.

"I think a lot of guys are just happy to say they're a Cup Series driver and they don't care. They just want to be there and racing on Sundays, and that just hurts the whole overall, you know, I guess driver side of it and trying to have leverage for some of these drivers to make more money," he added (01:12).

According to Forbes, driver salaries dropped in 2019 and the top 10 highest-paid drivers saw a 36% decrease in the 2010s, mostly due to lower sponsorship deals and fewer endorsements.

Larson also compared the pay in NASCAR to other racing leagues and said:

"I bet you the top four drivers in the World of Outlaws, Sprint Car Series are making more money than, you know, a third to half of the Cup Series guys. Probably half the Cup Series guys. So, yeah, that's pretty crazy to think about. But, yeah, everybody chooses their own route, I guess." (01:48)

Johnson and Gordan were some of the highest paid drivers earning around 20-30 million per year during their peak.

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"I would love to see our teams making more money" - Kyle Larson on lawsuit against NASCAR

In October this year, Kyle Larson commented on the ongoing anti-trust lawsuit by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR. He spoke about the governing body's rule that stops Cup teams from racing in other series and said that he would like a pay rise for their teams.

"It’s cool to see somebody stand up to a huge corporation. Obviously, I would love to see our teams making more money because I think that helps the overall health of our sport. I definitely give kudos to Front Row and 23XI for sticking up for what they believe," Kyle Larson said (autoweek.com).

Larson also owns a sprint car series, the High Limit Racing with his wife's brother Brad Sweet.