NASCAR payouts can be confusing

Sat., Feb. 26, 2005

Greg Zyla King Features Syndicate

Q: Greg, I still can’t figure out how a NASCAR Nextel Cup driver is paid for his finishing position. Many times, I see drivers who finish 30th make more money than a driver who finishes 10th. Can you explain, in simple terms, why? — Carol H., New Hampshire.

A: Carol, I receive quite a few questions like this every year, but a simple answer is nearly impossible. The NASCAR Nextel Cup payout includes a lot more than just the finishing position purse. It includes things like the “Winner’s Circle” program, which includes extra money for cars that have won a race the prior year or years, regardless of where they finish; broadcast TV payouts to each car; qualifying monies; and numerous other contingent awards based on company product usage or decal display.

The car owners earn additional awards based on several special programs, with more money going to car owners who have qualified or attempted to qualify the complete prior season. A new team is not eligible for some of these awards until it has run a minimum number of races.

During the event, there are bonuses like the Gatorade Front Runner Award, with money going to a driver who leads the most laps.

Manufacturer and other special award prizes are contingent on teams using the products and displaying uniform patches and decals. These contingency awards may or not be paid. Richard Petty’s teams, for example, do not carry any beer decals, thus he’s not eligible for things like the Bud Shootout, sponsored by Budweiser.

In ending, a new team that finishes 10th in a race will not earn many of the awards until it has run on the circuit for a while. That’s why if Jeff Gordon finishes 20th, he’ll reap things like Winner’s Circle monies, perhaps front-runner awards and pole bonuses, and then the lucrative owner monies, and earn way more than that new team finishing 10th.

***

Q: Greg I’m wondering if you can give me some information on the ARCA series. I know this organization has been around for a long time, but when did it start running with NASCAR on the superspeedways? Thanks, I am 71 years old and don’t have a computer to look it up myself. — Harry H., Columbia, S.C.

A: NASCAR’s founder, the late Bill France Jr., receives credit for inviting the ARCA series, founded by the late John Marcum in 1953 and then called MARC series, to race at Daytona’s high banks in 1964. However, France thought it better that Marcum change the name of the club to something that would reflect a nationwide scope. Thus, the Automobile Racing Club of America was born.

Back in those days, major deals were cemented with a handshake, and one from France Jr. was always considered as safe as a signed contract. The first ARCA 250 was won by Nelson Stacy. In the years to follow, drivers like Iggy Katona, Jack Bowsher, Benny Parsons, Kyle Petty, Tim Richmond, Kenny Irwin, Ryan Newman and Bobby Gerhart would score popular Daytona victories.

ARCA’s Daytona program resulted in more superspeedway opportunities, with Charlotte the next to agree. Curtis Turner won the inaugural ARCA event on the 1.5-mile North Carolina superspeedway, also in 1964.

Currently, the ARCA RE/MAX Series schedules 14 superspeedway events per season, with two each year at Pennsylvania’s famed 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway. Throw in some classic short-tracks on both dirt and pavement, and you’ve got an exciting series. Thanks for the question, Harry.

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