Cashing in NASCAR drivers finding money won't always buy a title Click here for more on this story Posted: Tuesday June 29, 1999 12:49 AM   The meter's running: Jeff Gordon's $2.1 million Daytona payday helped put him out front for most money per lap. Jon Ferry/Allsport By Ryan Hunt, CNN/SI Jeff Gordon is either at or near the top of most of the categories in NASCAR Winston Cup racing. And as the season hits its halfway point, you can add this one to Gordon's collection -- he's getting the most buck for his bang. Gordon, who is leading all drivers with four wins, is earning $855.99 per lap this season, the highest average on the circuit. But then again, money can't always buy you a championship. Through 16 races, Gordon is one of 13 drivers who have topped the $1-million mark in earnings. And "The Kid" is at the top of that list, earning more than $3.7 million. Yet, Gordon is only fifth in the point standings. Quick earners NASCAR drivers earning most money per lap Driver $/Lap Rank* Ws Laps Jeff Gordon Jeff Burton Bobby Labonte Dale Earnhardt Dale Jarrett Mark Martin Terry Labonte $855.99 $576.16 $335.76 $342.07 $335.76 $294.64 $291.86 5 4 2 7 1 3 12 4 3 2 1 2 1 1 4,337 4,648 4,800 4,533 4,765 4,642 4,670 * In NASCAR point standings   Gordon, however, earned more than $2.1 million for his Daytona 500 win alone, breaking down to $10,971.23 per lap. In the next 15 races, Gordon has earned an average of $328.30 per lap. And Gordon has only completed 4,337 laps this season. By comparison, Ricky Rudd has finished 16 more laps than Gordon. Rudd is in 38th in the point standings. Still, Gordon's payday for the first race of the season still is more than the totals for all but one other driver -- Jeff Burton. Burton has won three races this season and has led a circuit-high 892 laps. For his troubles, Burton has averaged $576.16 per lap.   Play the percentages Percentage of laps led and completed Driver % Led % Comp. Jeff Burton Jeff Gordon Rusty Wallace Bobby Labonte Mark Martin Dale Jarrett Tony Stewart Mike Skinner Ward Burton Terry Labonte Dale Earnhardt 18.5 16.8 14.6 9.4 8.6 7.2 4.3 3.8 3.5 2.8 1.5 96.2 89.7 92.6 99.3 96.0 98.6 97.7 94.4 99.2 96.6 93.8 Through 16 races (4,833 laps) Rusty Wallace, meanwhile, has led 706 laps this season, but he's only led in three races. And, not surprisingly, Wallace is only earning $249.91 per lap. In contrast, Dale Earnhardt has led only 72 laps all season, but has averaged $342.07 per lap. In the NASCAR Winston Cup standings, consistency is what counts. However, consistency doesn't always bring home the big bucks, at least immediately. Dale Jarrett, is averaging more than $500 less per lap than Gordon is, earning an average of $335.76 per lap. Bobby Labonte, who has completed 99.3 percent of the possible 4,833 laps and has led for 456, is averaging $350.30. But even though Jarrett and Labonte combined haven't earned what Gordon has in 1999, they are ranked first and second, respectively, in the point standings.   Related information Stories Gordon holds off Martin in Save Mart/Kragen 350 Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.

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