IndyCar: Some insight into a driver’s cut of prize money
–by Mark Cipolloni–
Many people ask how much the winning driver receives in prize money for winning the Indy 500. It varies by year, depending on the sponsors of the series and the race. Here is some insight into a driver’s cut of Indy 500 prize money,
Prize money is generally paid down to the 15th place driver.
Drivers normally split 50/50 the ‘Driver’ prize money (shown as Winner’s Earnings in the table blow) with the team. However, that is on a team to team basis, and many pay drivers don’t get prize money at all from any race…. Though usually even they receive at least 25%.
Additionally, most paid drivers receive a bonus for winning the Indy 500 from $100k to $500k directly from the team (winning the IndyCar Championship usually carries a bonus as well).
Moreover, there are ‘prizes’ that traditionally only the driver receives and does not share with teams, such as the pace car (drivers choice if they want the actual pace car or a new vehicle with the stickers of the pace car), and other awards like firearms, watches, flight credits, etc.
The actual prize money awarded the driver is $300k less than posted as the first $300k goes to the team, or entrant, as ‘Start’ or ‘Team’ money (Leader Circle Money) to help defray the cost of entering the race.
Indy 500 Purse and Winner’s (Driver) Cut (split with team per above)
It should be noted that this is the Indy 500 payout. All other races, the winner gets just $35,000 (split 50/50 with the team), vs, say NASCAR where the payout for the winning car is $100,000 and the driver gets $50%