Something’s brewing in the NASCAR community, and it’s not just race fuel. Ahead of this weekend’s action at Kansas Speedway, the talk isn’t about horsepower or pit stops. It’s all about money, and fans aren’t exactly thrilled.
On paper, the upcoming Cup Series race looks like a can’t-miss show. Kansas gave us that unforgettable finish last year when Kyle Larson and Chris Buescher crossed the line just inches apart. Fans are excited for more of that kind of thrill. But there’s another storyline that’s stealing the spotlight—and it’s got people fired up for all the wrong reasons.
The Money Gap That Has NASCAR Fans Fuming
Veteran NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass took to social media yesterday with a jaw-dropping update: The total purse for Sunday’s Cup race is $11,055,250. That’s right—over $11 million in prize money is up for grabs for the Cup field.
That would sound great, if you weren’t also hearing what the Truck Series teams are getting. For their race this weekend, only $782,900 is up for grabs. That’s more than a $10 million difference between the two NASCAR series racing on the very same track.
Fans didn’t hold back either. “How do truck teams survive???” one fan asked. Another simply said, “This makes no sense.” One fan correctly admitted, “Wonder why only 31 trucks showed up.” And they’re not wrong. While the big Cup stars are racing for millions, many Truck Series drivers are fighting for their careers—sometimes literally putting every penny on the line to keep going.
That purse gap is crazy
— David Shirley (@rds060184) May 7, 2025
Even with a small bump in the Truck Series purse from last year’s numbers, there is still a massive difference. One fan even joked, “They’d rather save the fuel money than maybe get 2k for starting lol.” With payouts that low, it’s just hard to justify the cost of competing.
The Race Will Be Hot, Even If the Payout Debate’s Hotter
Now, let’s not forget the reason we’re all here—racing. Kansas Speedway has turned into a real gem lately when it comes to putting on a show. Larson and Buescher’s photo finish in 2023 still has fans talking. And now, Chase Elliott is rolling in with some serious stats—an average finish of 10.1 at Kansas, plus one win and seven top-fives.
Denny Hamlin’s always a threat, especially with how good he’s been since the Next Gen car came along. But even as we look forward to the green flag, that payout gap won’t be disappearing any time soon.
So, the race might be tight on track—but off the track, the gap between the haves and have-nots just keeps growing. And fans are letting NASCAR know they’re paying attention.