Copyright Essentially Sports
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has reached its dramatic conclusion, with one showdown at Phoenix Raceway. Four drivers from two powerhouse organizations are in contention: Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe, and Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron and Kyle Larson. With the Bill France Cup on the line, bragging rights aren’t the only thing at stake. A major financial reward awaits whoever takes the checkered flag. This year’s total purse for the championship event sits at $12,394,135, according to Jayski’s Silly Season Site, marking an increase from last season’s $11,700,064 reported by FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass. While NASCAR doesn’t publicly release its detailed payout structure, it’s generally understood that the race winner claims between 8% and 10% of the purse. That would put the champion’s take-home figure in the range of $991,000 to $1.24 million, not including potential bonuses from sponsors or the team. The driver’s share is just the tip of the iceberg, but it’s a sweet slice for the one who crosses the line first. Purses have long been a NASCAR staple, but the championship finale stands out as the richest of the year. The rest of the field splits the remainder based on finish position, charter status, and season results. Charters, those guaranteed starting spots for 36 teams, play a big role here. Each chartered team gets a base payout of about $141,000 per race, which adds up to over $5 million across the full season. That base helps keep the lights on, but it’s nowhere near the $15 to $20 million it costs to run a top Cup team yearly. Mid-pack owners scratch their heads at the math since wins pay extra, but consistency still counts. More to be updated. Stay tuned.
