Driving around in circles, stuck in traffic might not sound too appealing to the average person. Of course, neither does filling up the gas tank or getting new tires. In fact, it sounds quite expensive.
But in NASCAR, all of that is encouraged — and quite profitable too.
The NASCAR All-Star Race is no different and this year it comes in a place where the sport's roots have been firmly planted — North Wilkesboro Speedway. While race fans turn back the clock to the 1990s, drivers will be vying for a cash prize if they can take home the checkered flag.
Fear not, though. The All-Star weekend is not a complete throwback. Yesterday's price is not today's price, which is good news for everyone competing.
MORE: NASCAR All-Star schedule for 2023 Cup and Truck Series races
The Sporting News takes a look at the past winners of the NASCAR All-Star race and how much money those winners get to take home.
How much money does a driver get for winning the All-Star Race?
Prize money: $1 million
The winner of the NASCAR All-Star race receives $1 million — a number that hasn't changed since 2003.
It's a number that has come under fire in recent years for remaining stagnant, unable and unwilling to keep up with the times. Now that's not to say that $1 million isn't a significant number. Anytime you can put at least six zeros following a non-zero number marks a good day.
Regardless, NASCAR's All-Star prize just doesn't go as far as it used to. It's like your father saying that he used to attend MLB games for a few dollars, or get to see two movies for the price of one at the theater. Nowadays, those few dollars wouldn't even get you a down payment, or layaway plan, on those items.
MORE: North Wilkesboro Speedway, a famous NASCAR ghost, brought back to life in ‘Cars 3’
Calculating for inflation, $1 million in 2003 is worth $1.64 million in 2023. For comparison's sake, $1 million in 2023 is equivalent in value to $609,508 twenty years ago.
Either way, the All-Star winner will, once again, add another million dollars to their bottom line. And winning a million is much better than winning nothing at all.
List of All-Star Race past winners
| Year | Car | Winner | Owner | Model |
| 1985 | 11 | Darrell Waltrip | Junior Johnson & Associates | Chevrolet |
| 1986 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Melling Racing | Ford |
| 1987 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet |
| 1988 | 11 | Terry Labonte | Junior Johnson & Associates (2) | Chevrolet |
| 1989 | 27 | Rusty Wallace | Blue Max Racing | Pontiac |
| 1990 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt (2) | Richard Childress Racing (2) | Chevrolet |
| 1991 | 28 | Davey Allison | Robert Yates Racing | Ford |
| 1992 | 28 | Davey Allison (2) | Robert Yates Racing (2) | Ford |
| 1993 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt (3) | Richard Childress Racing (3) | Chevrolet |
| 1994 | 7 | Geoffrey Bodine | Geoff Bodine Racing | Ford |
| 1995 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet |
| 1996 | 21 | Michael Waltrip | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford |
| 1997 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports (2) | Chevrolet |
| 1998 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford |
| 1999 | 5 | Terry Labonte (2) | Hendrick Motorsports (3) | Chevrolet |
| 2000 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt Inc. | Chevrolet |
| 2001 | 24 | Jeff Gordon (3) | Hendrick Motorsports (4) | Chevrolet |
| 2002 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Penske Racing | Ford |
| 2003 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports (5) | Chevrolet |
| 2004 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Fenway Racing (2) | Ford |
| 2005 | 6 | Mark Martin (2) | Roush Fenway Racing (3) | Ford |
| 2006 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports (6) | Chevrolet |
| 2007 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing (4) | Chevrolet |
| 2008 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | Dodge |
| 2009 | 14 | Tony Stewart | Stewart-Haas Racing | Chevrolet |
| 2010 | 2 | Kurt Busch | Penske Racing (2) | Dodge |
| 2011 | 99 | Carl Edwards | Roush Fenway Racing (4) | Ford |
| 2012 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson (3) | Hendrick Motorsports (7) | Chevrolet |
| 2013 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson (4) | Hendrick Motorsports (8) | Chevrolet |
| 2014 | 1 | Jamie McMurray | Chip Ganassi Racing (1) | Chevrolet |
| 2015 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota |
| 2016 | 22 | Joey Logano | Team Penske (3) | Ford |
| 2017 | 18 | Kyle Busch | Joe Gibbs Racing (2) | Toyota |
| 2018 | 4 | Kevin Harvick (2) | Stewart-Haas Racing (2) | Ford |
| 2019 | 42 | Kyle Larson | Chip Ganassi Racing (2) | Chevrolet |
| 2020 | 9 | Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports (9) | Chevrolet |
| 2021 | 5 | Kyle Larson (2) | Hendrick Motorsports (10) | Chevrolet |
| 2022 | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Team Penske (4) | Ford |
