While being cross-examined by NASCAR attorney Lawrence Buterman, Denny Hamlin revealed how much he makes at Joe Gibbs Racing. Being a veteran in the sport and one of the winningest drivers all-time, Hamlin likely makes more than most of the Cup Series field.

Denny Hamlin was being cross-examined this morning by NASCAR’s legal team. During his testimony, Hamlin revealed that he earns roughly $14,000,000 a year from JGR.

Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported on the admission from Hamlin as the trial is ongoing. Media members are not allowed to have their phones on them in the courtroom or overflow room. So, updates are sparse during testimony.

Denny Hamlin has been under cross-examination for much of the morning session today. As Hamlin’s testimony concluded, the court went on recess for lunch. Financials were a big sticking point that NASCAR’s attorneys leaned on during cross-exam. Things about the AirSpeed shop, money that Michael Jordan loaned Hamlin, and other questions surrounding the finances of 23XI and its owners.

The antitrust trial is just getting underway. Hamlin is the first witness on the stand. From here, more witnesses and evidence will be entered into the record. Each side is going to get a chance to argue its case, and then the jury will decide which side wins in the end.

It is notable that Hamlin’s salary is public now. As a driver who has been around for 20 years, it is reasonable to believe that his salary is up there with the highest-paid drivers in the Cup Series. The difference between what top drivers made early in Hamlin’s career to now is major.

A while back, Kyle Larson publicly said he doesn’t make half of what the top drivers used to make. So, it might be the same for Denny Hamlin.

Denny Hamlin salary made public, bad for Joe Gibbs Racing?

Unlike the NBA, NFL, and other major sports, NASCAR driver salaries are generally a tightly kept secret. There are no tampering rules, no collective bargaining agreements. It is the wild west as far as drivers are concerned, outside of the limiting contract terms and things of that nature.

Remember when 23XI Racing signed Tyler Reddick at the end of 2022 but it was for 2024? That forced Richard Childress to release Reddick a year early rather than go through a lameduck season with him behind the wheel which then led Kyle Busch to go to RCR. Poaching drivers and other talent is not unusual in this industry.

Now that everyone knows how much Denny Hamlin makes, does that put Joe Gibbs Racing at a disadvantage? If Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe start winning four to five races a year, are they entitled to that much? Do other teams now have leverage on JGR as far as offering driver’s more money than Gibbs is able to? We don’t know, yet, but there could be ramifications for these financial details getting made public.