NASCAR Star Unveils How Much It Costs To Compete, And It'll Make Your Jaw Drop

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NASCAR star Denny Hamlin has America – and fellow drivers – in a tizzy today because he went on his podcast and unveiled how much it costs to compete at the sport's highest level. 

Spoiler alert (pun intended!): it's pricey, especially in this economy. Thanks, Joe!

Of course, like anything in 2024 – or ever, for that matter – not everyone agreed with Hamlin's take. Landon Cassill, a longtime NASCAR driver who doesn't have near the success of Hamlin (and that's an understatement), fired back on his own podcast, basically saying Denny was full of crap and a lot of his own costs are self-inflicted. 

Drum roll, please! How much does it cost to be competitive in NASCAR in 2024? A measly $18 million, according to 23XI Racing driver/co-owner, Denny Hamlin!

Denny Hamlin and Landon Cassill both make points

I mean, I have no horse in the race beyond the #content. I'm obviously here for that. Need it on a slow Wednesday in July, frankly. 

Beyond that? I have no idea how much it costs to be competitive in today's NASCAR, yesterday's NASCAR, or yesteryear's NASCAR. None. Zero. Zilch. Wouldn't even know where to begin. 

I do know that, like anything in life, it costs way more to be competitive/wealthy/powerful. You have to spend money to make money. Yep, I just came up with that! Smart, huh?

If Denny Hamlin – a 54-time career winner – says it costs $18 million to field a competitive car/team in 2024, I believe him. He's been co-owner of 23XI Racing for years now, along with someone named Michael Jordan. I don't think he's pulling that number out of his ass. Just don't. 

Now, could you do it all for less? Probably. So, in that respect, Landon Cassill is right. Maybe NASCAR isn't making you spend $18 million on Cup teams in 2024. 

But Landon also has zero career Cup wins in 343 races, with an average finish of 29th. So, that's not great. 

But, I reckon that's what X-amount of dollars gets you. We know what $18 million gets you, apparently. Take your pick! 

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Zach grew up in Florida, lives in Florida, and will never leave Florida ... for obvious reasons. He's a reigning fantasy football league champion, knows everything there is to know about NASCAR, and once passed out (briefly!) during a lap around Daytona. He swears they were going 200 mph even though they clearly were not.