He may have had his struggles on the track, not winning a Sprint Cup Series race in 2009, but Dale Earnhardt Junior was still able to smile all the way to bank last year.
According to Sport’s Illustrated’s Fortunate 50, a list of the 50 highest paid American sports stars, NASCAR’s most popular driver banked $26,611,290 in 2009. That’s $4,611,290 from salary and winnings and $22,000,000 from endorsements.
Those earnings were just below the NFL’s Peyton Manning who was 10 with $27,000,000 and just above NBA player Dwayne Wade at $26,410,581.
Earnhardt Junior, who was voted the sports most popular driver for the sixth straight year last year was 11th on the list in 2008.
The only other NASCAR driver to make the list was Jeff Gordon, Earnhardt’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports. Gordon fell form 14th in 2008 to 21st in 2009 with combined earnings of $20,944,140.
Comments
u mentio gordon dropping from 14th in o8 to 21st in 09 BUT U fail to mention that gordon took a cut in pay to help team in 09. what did JR DO/
I have to admit..a few things surprised me on this list. First Salaries...the ballplayers have a much larger "salary". (Now I understand why the carowners are in racing and not a ball sport.) Second..the drivers are right up there with the best of them when it comes to endorsements. Third..I was totally surprised Johnson and Stewart are not on the list. Johnson obviously made the most with his Championship..but I assume he is lacking in endorsements. Stewart not being on the list surprised me the most...maybe due to his "owner/driver" status his numbers are skewed?
What did Jr. do? He sold a lot of merchandise. Why do you think Rick Hendick is keeping him on his team?
Sounds like a couple of JJ fans on board today. Poor JJ.
The way Kenny Wallace kept telling us that Tony Stewart was outselling Jr. at the tracks I thought Tony would be on the list.
It just just shows the power of Dale Earnhardt SR.'s name. JR. isn't making it on performance. Two years of driving for the best team, and all JR. has to show with his God-given average at best talent is 1 Na$crap assisted fuel milage win. That's really impresive! HA!
Overra88ted, you're the one that is so impressive. With the truth staring you in the face, you still persist on believing a lie. You're got real consistency. You're leading the pack. You're the champion of all unbelievers. If I had a crown, I'd send it to you. Your name is known all over the websites as the biggest PITA in Nascar, and that is really something. You are to be congratulated, so take a bow.
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