Forbes' '08 NASCAR Team Valuations Show Widening Rich-Poor Gap

NASCAR values in the past two years have “rocketed skyward," up 65% on average to $119M, "thanks to a rash of investment,” according to Jack Gage of FORBES, which published its ’08 NASCAR team valuations. In addition to outside investors, NASCAR teams are “seeing interest from within -- mergers of middling teams are yielding ready-made contenders.” This consolidation “has put a spotlight on the growing divide between NASCAR’s rich and poor.” The difference between NASCAR’s most valuable team and its 15th grew to $307M in ’08, up from $270M in ’07, and just $195M in ’06. However, as evidenced by a slight decline in values from '07, NASCAR’s “radical growth over the past decade appears to be sputtering.” The following presents Forbes' top 15 NASCAR valuations for ’08 (FORBES, 6/30 issue).

NOTES: Value estimates based on past and pending deals, sponsorship agreements and scale of operations. Revenue includes all '07 NASCAR-related income; where '07 figures are unavailable pro forma estimates are used. Operating income is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.