Kyle Busch Exposes Cost to Buy a NASCAR Cup Seat

NASCAR star Kyle Busch revealed the cost for a driver to buy their way into the Cup Series.

Kyle Busch Exposes Cost to Buy a NASCAR Cup Seat

Kyle Busch (Via @KyleBusch/X)

Motorsport is expensive and that is no secret. NASCAR teams have to spend millions of dollars in operating costs every season. This money usually comes from sponsorships. However, there are times when drivers pay this bill in a bid to buy their way to the field. Now, NASCAR star Kyle Busch has revealed the price to buy seats in the Cup Series.

It is no surprise that NASCAR teams allow for drivers to pay for a seat, with racers, pay drivers to be exact, being willing to shell millions as well. Though, drivers like Kyle Busch or Joey Logano secure their places on pure pace and merit, there are still some names who do spend money to race.

Kyle Busch claimed that for a driver looking to compete in the Cup Series, this figure can stretch from anywhere between $6-8 million. While the Xfinity Series, the tier below the Cup, usually demands $4.5-6 million. Moreover, Busch summed up the entire system by pointing that that a Truck Series team would charge a pay driver around $3 million.

Cup Series is probably around if you got six to eight million bucks. Xfinity Series ride, if you’ve got between four-and-a-half to six million. [For Truck Series] You probably need about three million bucks to run a truck.

Kyle Busch said on GOLF’s Subpar podcast.

These numbers are not official, rather just an idea given by the NASCAR veteran. As such, fans must take this with a pinch of salt. The enormous sums should not come as a surprise considering the sport’s prestige. Though, Formula 1 on the other hand is much more expensive with drivers like Lance Stroll having paid around $40 million a year in the past.

Kyle Busch defends William Byron over NASCAR entry

NASCAR star William Bryon entered the Cup Series in 2018 with Hendrick Motorsports. The No. 24 driver was initially supported by his father’s business Byron Financial. This influx of funds allowed Byron to get an opportunity to race in the championship early on in his career. However, the 27-year-old has proved his worth since.

William Byron
William Byron (Via IMAGO)

Kyle Busch insisted that William Byron did not deserve the tag of a pay driver. The HMS star has put a lot of effort on-track in the past decade and shown his capabilities to everyone in the field. Busch reckoned that Bryon managed to learn every aspect of NASCAR to be able to fight on pure merit at the front.

The 27-year-old has indeed established himself as a strong driver in the Cup Series. NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick even predicted him to be the winner of the Coca Cola 600 this year.

He worked at it. He was very smart and diligent at it. And did a great job of being able to understand the vehicles and how to make himself successful in those vehicles.

Kyle Busch added.

Certainly, the concept of a pay driver will remain in the world of racing for the time to come. No matter how bad it looks, drivers with financial backing have it easier against the competition right from junior categories. This needs to change, be it stock car racing or Formula 1. As this system forces many aspiring stars to give up on their dreams since their families are unable to afford them to race.

Read More: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Urges NASCAR to “Combine the Clash and the All-Star Race”