Carl Edwards Collects Record Prize Money in NASCAR Busch Series Championship Year
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Daytona Beach, Fla.
Dec 07, 2007
CIA Stock Photos
Carl Edwards, the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series driver champion, received a payout of $2,485,582, an amount that ranks fourth all-time among series title winners.
Edwards collected over $1.2 million in both race winnings ($1,241,985) and his share of the series point fund ($1,218,597).
The series’ $8.4 million point fund this season included a record $4.5 million contribution from outgoing sponsor Anheuser-Busch. In its 26 years as series sponsor A-B contributed over $18.4 million to the NASCAR Busch Series point fund, growing from $50,000 in its inaugural season in 1982.
The 2007 season marked the second consecutive year that every race purse exceeded $1 million. Fifteen drivers earned $1 million or more in total winnings including series regulars Jason Leffler, Bobby Hamilton Jr., Stephen Leicht, Marcos Ambrose and Mike Wallace.
In 105 career starts, Edwards – the 19th and final champion under the Busch brand sponsor banner – has totaled $6,139,648. His 2007 total marks the first time he has surpassed $2 million in series earnings.
Edwards garnered $25,000 in contingency money by claiming the Sunoco Diamond Performance Award. He was also named the series’ Most Popular Driver for the first time.
Other contingency award winners were David Ragan (Raybestos Rookie of the Year), Denny Hamlin (Busch Pole Award), David Reutimann (Mobil One Command Performance Award), Bobby Hamilton Jr. (Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award), Scott Wimmer (Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge Award) and Mike Wallace (WIX Filters Lap Leader Award).
NASCAR Busch Series Top 10 – Point Awards and Season Totals:
Driver Race Winnings Special Awards Point Fund Total
1. Carl Edwards $1,241,985 $25,000 $1,218,597 $2,485,582
2. David Reutimann $1,130,097 $20,000 $714,350 $1,864,447
3. Jason Leffler $1,144,831
$546,268 $1,691,099
4. Kevin Harvick $1,123,130
$540,265 $1,663,395
5. David Ragan $792,592 $25,000 $411,802 $1,229,394
6. Bobby Hamilton Jr. $940,480 $50,000 $361,377 $1,351,857
7. Stephen Leicht $1,076,536
$298,346 $1,374,882
8. Marcos Ambrose $986,780
$252,123 $1,238,903
9. Greg Biffle $813,510
$208,662 $1,022,172
10. Matt Kenseth $904,380
$234,115 $1,138,495
