Net Worth Ranker
What Is Ricky Rudd Net Worth?
Ricky Rudd, a retired American NASCAR driver, has an estimated net worth of $30 million. His financial standing is a result of a successful 32-year racing career, strategic endorsements, and savvy business ventures.
Ricky Rudd’s Career Earnings and NASCAR Achievements
During his extensive career in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Ricky Rudd secured 23 wins, achieved 374 Top Ten finishes, and earned 29 pole positions. One of Rudd’s most celebrated victories came in 1997 when he drove his own Rudd Performance Motorsports Ford to victory in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rudd’s career earnings totaled $44.5 million, accumulated over 32 years in the Sprint Cup Series. He was known as NASCAR’s “Ironman”, holding the record for 788 consecutive starts until Jeff Gordon broke it in 2015. Rudd’s 906 series starts rank second to Richard Petty’s 1,185. His consistent performance and longevity in the sport significantly contributed to his net worth.
In 1977, Rudd was named the Cup Series Rookie of the Year. His best points finish was second in 1991. From 1983-1998, he scored at least one win in 16 consecutive seasons, tying for the third-longest streak in Cup Series history. Rudd was also named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. In 1983, he also participated in the Nationwide Series, achieving one win and one Top Ten finish. Over his career, Rudd had a 13.5 average finish at road courses and a 13.7 average finish at short tracks.
Post-Retirement Activities and Investments
Since retiring from NASCAR in 2007, Ricky Rudd has maintained a relatively low profile but has engaged in select activities that contribute to his income. In 2012, Rudd joined Speed Channel’s “SPEED Center” as an analyst, providing insights and commentary on motor sports news. The specific financial details of his contract with Speed Channel are not publicly available. However, such roles typically provide a steady income stream.
Beyond broadcasting, Rudd has also made strategic investments. He owns properties in Cornelius and Banner Elk, North Carolina. While the exact details of these real estate holdings are not fully disclosed, they represent tangible assets that contribute to his overall net worth. It is also noted that he founded and sold two successful real estate firms on Hilton Head Island before becoming owner and team leader of Turner & Rudd Group.
In December 2024, Rudd bought back his old NASCAR road course car, the 2002 Taurus from Robert Yates Racing. This car holds the distinction of being Ricky’s final race win, and the final race win for Robert Yates Racing’s iconic number 28 car. Rudd also acquired the body from his 1992 IROC series champion year Dodge Daytona.
Early Career and Personal Life
Richard Lee Rudd, born on September 12, 1956, began his racing journey in go-karts and motorbikes during his junior high years. By the age of 18, he transitioned to stock cars. His official NASCAR debut occurred in 1975 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, driving a 1973 Ford owned by Bill Champion. Despite being his first time in a stock car, Rudd finished 11th. In 1977, he committed to racing full-time in NASCAR, earning the prestigious Rookie of the Year award.
In his personal life, Ricky Rudd married Linda Burchuk in 1979, and together they have a son named Landon Lee Rudd, born in 1994. The family resides in Cornelius, North Carolina. Rudd is also the uncle of actor Skeet Ulrich.
