In 2011, Carl Edwards earned $11,351,964 in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series and $2,058,814 in the Nationwide Series.
In the Sprint Cup Series Ryan Newman winnings were $6,179,560.
These were the top five money winners in the 2012 Nascar Sprint Cup Series (this includes bonuses):Brad Keselowski - $12,106,255Jimmie Johnson - $10,469,436Matt Kenseth - $8,802,779Denny Hamlin - $8,330,410Clint Bowyer - $7,993,802
In 2012, including bonuses, Dale Jr. earned $5,816,567 in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series.
In 2011, Tony Stewart made $6,567,771. in race earnings.
The Nationwide Series is made up of drivers that are looking to eventually graduate to the Sprint Cup Series level. There are also a few Sprint Cup drivers that participate in the Nationwide Series, who usually end up winning the championship. There are some that say the Sprint Cup regulars should not move down a class to take money and championships away from the up and coming drivers. Others would say that it brings more competition, which is needed for the younger drivers, before they move up to the next level.
In 2012, Danica Patrick earned $1,053,885 in the Nascar Cup Series and $946,349 in the Nascar Nationwide Series.
In 2012, while racing full-time in the Nascar Cup Series, Regan Smith earned $4,153,890. He is now a full-time Nascar Nationwide Series driver.
He earns more money in the main series.
Mike Helton, president of NASCAR, admitted that the governing body is considering raising the minimum age requirement to be a driver in the Sprint Cup Series to 21. It currently is 18 in both Cup and the Nationwide Series
They can't. You have to have lots of money to get in to NASCAR car.
The best way is to work up in series'. You start out with a cheap car. Make money. Go on to the next series, and so on.