Many of us have appreciated the skill of NASCAR drivers for some time.  It seems that we aren’t the only ones.  In the most recent ranking of Highest Paid Athletes for 2016 by Forbes Magazine, two of NASCAR’s best and most popular drivers have cracked the top 100.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. comes in at number 71 with an income of $23.5 million.  $8.5 million of that is through various endorsements.  It’s not surprising that NASCAR’s most popular driver leads the way among the sports superstars.

Following Junior in the number 82 position is six-time Champion Jimmie Johnson.  Johnson earned $22.2 million with $6 million of that achieved through endorsement deals.  In most sports winning equals big bucks and Johnson’s income shows that’s true in NASCAR as well. 

As big as those numbers are, they pale in comparison to the top three on Forbes’ list.  Soccer superstar, Cristino Ronaldo pockets $88 million and is the highest paid athlete in the world.  Lional Massi, another soccer superstar was right on Ronaldo’s heels with an income of $81.4 million.  The top US athlete was LeBron James, he of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who collects $77.2 million and comes in at number 3 on the Forbes list.

Earnhardt and Johnson are not the top earners in motorsports however.  Formula 1 driver, Lewis Hamilton earns $46 million.  He is ranked 11^th on the list. 

I seriously doubt either NASCAR superstar will be upset with their lot in life and demand an increase in salary.  I’m sure both are quite comfortable managing to live on their millions.  Oh, if only I could drive like them.

Listen to WTBQ radio on Monday and Friday mornings at 8:45 as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss all the current happenings in NASCAR.  You can also follow me on twitter @JimLaplante.