NASCAR All-Star prize money: How much will the winning driver make for 2023 race?

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Driving around in circles, stuck in traffic might not sound too appealing to the average person. Of course, neither does filling up the gas tank or getting new tires. In fact, it sounds quite expensive.

But in NASCAR, all of that is encouraged — and quite profitable too. 

The NASCAR All-Star Race is no different and this year it comes in a place where the sport's roots have been firmly planted — North Wilkesboro Speedway. While race fans turn back the clock to the 1990s, drivers will be vying for a cash prize if they can take home the checkered flag. 

Fear not, though. The All-Star weekend is not a complete throwback. Yesterday's price is not today's price, which is good news for everyone competing. 

MORE: NASCAR All-Star schedule for 2023 Cup and Truck Series races

The Sporting News takes a look at the past winners of the NASCAR All-Star race and how much money those winners get to take home. 

How much money does a driver get for winning the All-Star Race?

Prize money: $1 million

The winner of the NASCAR All-Star race receives $1 million — a number that hasn't changed since 2003.

It's a number that has come under fire in recent years for remaining stagnant, unable and unwilling to keep up with the times. Now that's not to say that $1 million isn't a significant number. Anytime you can put at least six zeros following a non-zero number marks a good day. 

Regardless, NASCAR's All-Star prize just doesn't go as far as it used to. It's like your father saying that he used to attend MLB games for a few dollars, or get to see two movies for the price of one at the theater. Nowadays, those few dollars wouldn't even get you a down payment, or layaway plan, on those items. 

MORE: North Wilkesboro Speedway, a famous NASCAR ghost, brought back to life in ‘Cars 3’

Calculating for inflation, $1 million in 2003 is worth $1.64 million in 2023. For comparison's sake, $1 million in 2023 is equivalent in value to $609,508 twenty years ago.

Either way, the All-Star winner will, once again, add another million dollars to their bottom line. And winning a million is much better than winning nothing at all. 

List of All-Star Race past winners 

Year Car Winner Owner Model
1985 11 Darrell Waltrip Junior Johnson & Associates Chevrolet
1986 9 Bill Elliott Melling Racing Ford
1987 3 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
1988 11 Terry Labonte Junior Johnson & Associates (2) Chevrolet
1989 27 Rusty Wallace Blue Max Racing Pontiac
1990 3 Dale Earnhardt (2) Richard Childress Racing (2) Chevrolet
1991 28 Davey Allison Robert Yates Racing Ford
1992 28 Davey Allison (2) Robert Yates Racing (2) Ford
1993 3 Dale Earnhardt (3) Richard Childress Racing (3) Chevrolet
1994 7 Geoffrey Bodine Geoff Bodine Racing Ford
1995 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
1996 21 Michael Waltrip Wood Brothers Racing Ford
1997 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports (2) Chevrolet
1998 6 Mark Martin Roush Fenway Racing Ford
1999 5 Terry Labonte (2) Hendrick Motorsports (3) Chevrolet
2000 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet
2001 24 Jeff Gordon (3) Hendrick Motorsports (4) Chevrolet
2002 12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing Ford
2003 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports (5) Chevrolet
2004 17 Matt Kenseth Roush Fenway Racing (2) Ford
2005 6 Mark Martin (2) Roush Fenway Racing (3) Ford
2006 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports (6) Chevrolet
2007 29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing (4) Chevrolet
2008 9 Kasey Kahne Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge
2009 14 Tony Stewart Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
2010 2 Kurt Busch Penske Racing (2) Dodge
2011 99 Carl Edwards Roush Fenway Racing (4) Ford
2012 48 Jimmie Johnson (3) Hendrick Motorsports (7) Chevrolet
2013 48 Jimmie Johnson (4) Hendrick Motorsports (8) Chevrolet
2014 1 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing (1) Chevrolet
2015 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
2016 22 Joey Logano Team Penske (3) Ford
2017 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing (2) Toyota
2018 4 Kevin Harvick (2) Stewart-Haas Racing (2) Ford
2019 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing (2) Chevrolet
2020 9 Chase Elliott Hendrick Motorsports (9) Chevrolet
2021 5 Kyle Larson (2) Hendrick Motorsports (10) Chevrolet
2022 12 Ryan Blaney Team Penske (4) Ford
Author(s)
Nick Brinkerhoff Photo

Nick Brinkerhoff is an editorial intern at The Sporting News.