William Byron's victory in the Daytona 500 has made him a lot richer. But just how much of the record-setting purse of $28,035,991 did he earn?
Since 2015, NASCAR has declined to disclose specifics about winners' prize money. However, in 2015, it was revealed that Joey Logano was allocated $1.58 million out of a total purse of $18 million for winning the Daytona 500, while runner-up Kevin Harvick took home $261,000.
Fox Sports journalist Bob Pockrass confirmed in 2023 that the winner was likely to receive between $1.5 million to $2 million, or around 8% to 10% of the total purse. The remaining purse would be split among the 36 charter teams according to their finishing position and charter status and other factors.
According to Pockrass' numbers, Byron would receive a check of around $2.4 to $2.8 million for winning the 2024 Daytona 500.
"Just so proud of this team, whole Axalta team," Byron said after his win. "40th anniversary, to the day (of Hendrick Motorsports' first race) on Monday. Just extremely blessed and thankful for all the opportunities, and now we just want to keep it going. We have a lot to prove this year, and this is a good start. Obviously, Daytona 500, it's freaking awesome."
After the historic prize money had been announced, 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. commented, "On the money side, it takes a lot of money to make this sport go around, and this race team. My wife and I are redoing our bathroom and bedroom and now a nursery, and that would go a long way. So, it's kind of already spent — I hope we win."
Michael McDowell, winner of the 2021 Daytona 500, also said, "If you're going to win a race, this is the one you want to win, as far as the financial part of it goes."
The Daytona 500 purse has risen by more than $10 million since 2015 when it was $18 million, and the jump from last year's figure by a little more than $1 million continues the upward trend.
Just how much more will next year's purse be and who will be the driver to rake in the financial windfall?
