Hamlin says drivers would like to see winnings published

Hamlin

The introduction of the new charter system – and the subsequent restructuring and distribution of purse money and other revenue streams – caused some feverish preseason reworking of driver contracts. It also caused some hand-wringing among stars who were accustomed to being paid by a percentage of a purse that was posted publicly in every race box score, along with the winnings for each finishing position.

Citing the complicated revenue streams, NASCAR discontinued publishing winnings and races purses as part of the new charter system. Five races into the season, Denny Hamlin said concerns have settled about the latter as drivers are being paid as they'd expected, though the contracts vary much more widely than before when virtually every driver drew a defined percentage of the purse as a slice of the overall salary.

Hamlin, though, said drivers would like NASCAR to return to including race winnings in box scores, if only in appealing to fans who grew accustomed to the format. "I think some fans like to see that and us drivers I think we like to see purses posted personally," Hamlin said.

A NASCAR spokesman said the policy of whether to publish purses currently isn't being reviewed, but Hamlin believes officials are "considering it. I think if everyone knows what they're getting, I don't know what the benefit is from keeping it from the public. I don't know but there's probably some sort of reason that I don't know about." NBC Sports