Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick are two of the most popular drivers in NASCAR and that is one reason why they are two of the highest-paid drivers in the world.
According to Forbes.com, Patrick and Earnhardt made the list of drivers, with Earnhardt Jr. taking the top spot and Patrick coming in seventh. Although Earnhardt hasn't won too many races over the past few years, he did win at Michigan last year and he makes an estimated $25.9 million in earnings, according to the report.
Patrick has been one of the most popular drivers in the world for a number of years and she has consistently set history, including by becoming the first woman to win the pole and lead laps at the Daytona 500. She is in her first full season on the Sprint Cup circuit, another first for women, and she is seventh on the list with $12.9 million. That number comes after only doing 10-races in the Sprint Cup last season, meaning she could move up next year.
Earnhardt has been at the top of the list for the past five years and one reason is due to his nearly $15 million in endorsements and other ventures, including merchandise sales, licensing and sponsorship deals, which includes Wrangler and Nationwide and his own brand of potato chips.
The list also includes defensing Cup champ Brad Keselowski, five-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, four-time titlist Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne and Kevin Harvick. The Sprint Cup moves to Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday for the next event of the season.
Here's the full list from Forbes:
Dale Earnhardt Jr., $25.9 million
Jimmie Johnson, $23 million
Tony Stewart, $18.7 million
Jeff Gordon, $18.1 million
Carl Edwards, $13.7 million
Kevin Harvick, $13 million
Danica Patrick, $12.9 million
Kyle Busch, $12.5 million
Kasey Kahne, $12 million
Brad Keselowski, $11.4 million
