NASCAR drivers cash in
According to Forbes, which keeps track of such things, the 10 led by top earner Dale Earnhardt Jr. banked a total of $180 million.
The series perennial most popular chauffeur Earnhardt totaled $35 million, $23 million of which came from none-race winnings and salary, rather from endorsements etc.
Jeff Gordon was second with $30 million as all the top 10 topped $10 mil for the year.
Three-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson was on the fourth limb of the money tree with $19 million, followed by Kasey Kahne, both bringing in $14 million.
Kyle Busch earned $13 million, followed by Matt Kenseth ($12 million).
Darrell Waltrip, the 1985 champion, was the first to win a million dollars.
Juan Pablo and Denny Hamlin rounded out the list of top money drivers, earning $11 million each.
According to Forbes, for his heroics winning the first NASCAR title in1949 Red Byron collected $5,800, $52,000 in today's dollars.
A year ago in the Daytona 500 Kenny Wallace finished last, earning more than a quarter million dollars for his team.