Jimmie Johnson Reveals Larson, Elliott & Other NASCAR Drivers Could Earn 50% More! Here’s How
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 11: NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson attends NTT IndyCar Series testing at Circuit of The Americas on February 11, 2020 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson recently revealed the significant decline in driver’s earnings in the modern era. Once considered a staple of American motorsports, NASCAR has experienced a downfall both in terms of viewership and sponsorships.
This has had a direct result on the economics. And naturally, the ‘loss’ is shared amongst all.
“I would say through earnings, and potential for a team, it’s been down probably 50%,” Johnson described the significant reduction in driver’s earnings.
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“From a driver contract standpoint, from 2015 to where it is now, it’s probably half.”
Even for the top drivers?
“..for the top drivers, yeah,” Johnson said.
The reasons and the impact on drivers, according to Johnson
Johnson claims the constant changes in rules, in play-off formats and the general changes since 2015 in NASCAR have been factors in the current state bottom line.
But the biggest factor, according to Jimmie Johnson, is the way fans ‘consume’ NASCAR, the viewership or, to be more accurate, the downfall of viewership in the last 15 years.
“Tune-in number drives the sponsorships numbers, that obviously drives the purse.”
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LOUDON, NH – SEPTEMBER 24: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, stands on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ISM Connect 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
Jimmie Johnson has a solution for the problem
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The issue at hand is indeed a serious one. Johnson claims that according to rumours he’s heard, some drivers aren’t even able to afford insurance. Now, this is problematic in a sport which is so full of risk.
Just a totally gnarly fiery last lap crash with Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Austin Cindric and Joey Logano to end the #NASCAR #daytona500 ALL drivers walked away! 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/w53VWBF2dS
— Mark J. Rebilas (@rebilasphoto) February 15, 2021
The seven-time title winner feels there’s “too much racing in NASCAR.” But he has a suggestion for which he’s already had conversations with executives at NASCAR.
“..reducing the schedule down to 25-28 races, I think would be the ideal way to go about it.”
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While on one side, NASCAR President Steve Phelps lauded the ‘aggressive’ scheduling in his state of the sport address for NASCAR’s growth, Jimmie Johnson’s suggestions are quite the opposite.
But whether NASCAR sees a radical result in the schedule and number of race events, what everyone will hope for is the betterment of the drivers.
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Because it doesn’t take a genius to know that without fully committed and mentally prepared drivers, there’s no racing, and without racing, there’s no NASCAR.
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