Denny Hamlin is in the running for the NASCAR championship but how does his net worh compare to some of the sports biggest stars

Denny Hamlin is chasing NASCAR Cup Series championship glory as he prepares for thee final few races of the 2026 season.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has struggled to replicate the dominance he showed during the regular season. Hamlin finished 28th at Phoenix, one lap down, dealing another setback to his NASCAR Cup Series championship hopes. The series heads to Talladega for the YellaWood 500 before moving to Martinsville, with the title picture set to become clearer ahead of the championship race at Homestead-Miami on Nov. 8.

Hamlin has emerged as one of NASCAR's most prominent figures, with many viewing him as one of the faces of the sport, but how does his net worth compare to the biggest names the sport has seen?

Denny Hamlin has built an estimated $65 million fortune through his long-running NASCAR career and business interests.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has earned millions on the track while also co-founding 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, giving him a significant stake in the sport beyond his driving career. Hamlin has also made headlines for his candid views on the competition, recently admitting he was rooting for Carson Hocevar to crash during the race at Phoenix.

Richard Petty's 200 NASCAR Cup Series victories and seven championships cemented his status as one of the sport's all-time greats. However, "The King" competed during an era when driver salaries and endorsement deals were considerably smaller than they are today.

Petty has since expanded his career into business, helping build an estimated $65 million fortune. He has also remained a prominent public figure, recently appearing alongside Donald Trump in Greenville and endorsing the president by comparing him to the best driver on a team, with a strong pit crew behind him.

Dale Earnhardt's impact on NASCAR extended well beyond his seven Cup Series championships, with "The Intimidator" becoming one of the sport's biggest commercial stars.

His No. 3 car developed into one of NASCAR's most recognizable brands, helping him build an estimated $70 million fortune. That wealth is particularly notable given Earnhardt's career ended in 2001, before driver earnings reached the levels seen today.

Mark Martin built an estimated $70 million fortune during a NASCAR career that spanned several decades.

Despite never winning a Cup Series championship, Martin claimed 40 career victories and finished runner-up in the standings five times. His consistency and longevity established him as one of NASCAR's leading drivers throughout his career.

Danica Patrick built her fortune through more than her achievements on the track, becoming one of America's most recognizable motorsports figures and securing lucrative sponsorship and endorsement deals throughout her career. Her profile has continued to generate opportunities since retiring from racing, with business ventures and political appearances keeping her in the public eye.

Patrick has also remained a prominent figure outside motorsports, recently returning to the campaign trail in support of Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections, where she praised the president's intelligence.

Kyle Busch had an estimated net worth of $80 million at the time of his death in May 2026, following a successful career that made him one of NASCAR's most accomplished drivers.

The two-time Cup Series champion recorded a NASCAR-record 234 victories across the sport's three national series. He also established Kyle Busch Motorsports as a leading Truck Series organization before selling the team to Spire Motorsports in 2023.

Busch died on May 21 at the age of 41, hours after his family announced he had been hospitalized with a severe illness later confirmed to be sepsis. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the NASCAR community, with friends, family and fans gathering in Charlotte earlier this month for a celebration of his life.

Tony Stewart built his fortune through a successful NASCAR career and a range of motorsports business ventures. The three-time Cup Series champion recorded 49 wins before stepping away from full-time competition, but remained active in racing through team ownership, racetrack investments and participation in other racing series.

Kevin Harvick built an estimated nine-figure fortune during a Cup Series career spanning more than two decades. The 2014 champion recorded 60 victories before retiring from full-time competition at the end of the 2023 season.

Harvick has remained involved in NASCAR through broadcasting and other racing ventures, while also offering his views on the current championship battle. He recently expressed doubts about Tyler Reddick's title chances this season, pointing to the driver's recent dip in form.

Jimmie Johnson has amassed an estimated $160 million fortune during a career that established him as one of NASCAR's most successful drivers.

The seven-time Cup Series champion recorded 83 career victories, matching Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt's record of seven titles. After stepping away from full-time NASCAR racing, Johnson competed in IndyCar before returning to the Cup Series as an owner-driver. He will retire from racing at the Daytona 500 in 2027.

Jeff Gordon won four Cup Series championships and 93 races during his driving career, establishing himself as one of NASCAR's biggest names. His involvement in the sport has continued beyond the track, having become an equity owner of Hendrick Motorsports in 1999 before rising to his current role as vice chairman.

Gordon has also spoken out about the financial pressures facing NASCA teams, recently admitting they were "up against the wall" before Michael Jordan and 23XI Racing's antitrust lawsuit.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. tops the list with an estimated net worth of $300 million, built through his racing career, endorsements and business ventures. The 15-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver won 26 Cup Series races before expanding his portfolio through JR Motorsports and Dirty Mo Media.

Earnhardt Jr. remains involved in NASCAR as an analyst for Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports, offering his perspective on the championship battle. Despite Kyle Larson's advantage in the Chase, he believes the remaining races at Phoenix, Talladega and Martinsville could give his rivals an opportunity to close the gap.