Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Popular Driver Proves Wins Not Required to Earn Big Bucks

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the highest-paid driver in NASCAR at an estimated $28 million per year according to Forbes Magazine. He has attained this wealth despite little success in the series. The salary takes into account race earnings, sponsorship deals and earnings from ownership.

There are many factors that contribute to Earnhardt's wealth, but almost none of them have to do with driving achievements.

A ton of it has to do with popularity. Junior was voted NASCAR's most popular driver for the ninth straight year last year. This of course has a lot to do with his legendary father who passed away after a crash at Daytona in 2001.

Many of his father's legions of fans heaped their support on Junior, and he has cashed in, like most of us would have in his situation.

Another aspect of his wealth comes in his part ownership of JR Motorsports. The company has several successful drivers in the Nationwide series; that includes the super popular NASCAR rookie Danica Patrick, who is now making the jump to the NASCAR Sprint Series.

It all adds up to more and more dough for Junior.

Earnhardt is currently on a 129-race winless streak that spans three years. NASCAR is the rare sport that would allow for so much to be earned by an athlete that has accomplished so little.

Obviously, there are other factors involved, but of all the drivers in the top 10 in overall earnings, only Patrick has accomplished less as a driver, and she's about to compete in her first event. 

Here is a look at the top five, and their accomplishments:

1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: $28 million
2. Jeff Gordon: $24 million, four NASCAR Championships (Winston Cup/Sprint Series)
3. Tony Stewart $22 million, three NASCAR Championships including 2011
4. Jimmie Johnson: $21 million, five NASCAR Championships
5. Carl Edwards $15.5 million, five 19 wins and second-place finish last season 

It would be easy to see why there would be a bit of envy and disdain for Earnhardt and his mammoth earnings, but it certainly hasn't reached the fans. He is clearly the exception, as every driver listed has had some good measure of success.

For Junior, it's not how you play the game; instead, it's about the name and the fame.