Whats a track purse?

Question

for a nascar race? I know you get money from it but what is it?

Answer 1

The easiest answer would be to say that its the reason that they are having a race.  The "purse" is an amount that is determined before the race is scheduled that will be distributed to the participants of the race.  Depending upon how you finish the race, thats how much of the purse you receive.

Answer 2

Total number of dollars paid out to all 43 teams combined.

Example: Purse is 2 mill

1st place 1 mill

2nd 250 G's

3rd 40 G's

Etc etc..  until 2 mill total has been distributed amongst all the teams.