Chase Elliott Opts Out of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award Consideration for Kyle Busch
Elliott stepped aside after winning it eight straight years, leaving Busch eligible as fan voting opens for the 2026 honor.
- On Friday, the National Motorsports Press Association opened voting for the 2026 NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award as Chase Elliott withdrew from the ballot to honor the late Kyle Busch.
- Elliott, who won the award for eight consecutive seasons, stepped aside to allow fans to vote for Busch, who died in May at age 41 due to sepsis complications.
- This gesture mirrors Bill Elliott's 2001 decision to withdraw following Dale Earnhardt's death; Elliott's father holds the record with 16 Most Popular Driver awards.
- With Elliott off the ballot, neither an Elliott nor an Earnhardt will win the award for the first time in 36 years, opening the contest to other Cup Series drivers.
- Fan voting remains open until noon ET on November 9, 2026, with the winner revealed November 10 at the NASCAR Awards Ceremonies in Miami, Florida; Busch remains eligible alongside 34 other drivers.
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Chase Elliott honors Kyle Busch, opts out of ‘Most Popular’ vote
By Field Level Media Oct 23 (Field Level Media) - Chase Elliott ended his streak of eight consecutive NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver awards to honor the late Kyle Busch. The National Motorsports Press Association confirmed on Friday that Ellio...
NASCAR Star Chase Elliott Bows Out Of Most Popular Driver Vote To Honor Kyle Busch
There’s no debating who the most popular driver is in the NASCAR Cup Series today. Hendrick Motorsports star Chase Elliott has won the Most Popular Driver vote every year since 2018, dating back to the year Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired. However, despite voting only just opening, we already know for certain that Elliott won’t be winning the award in 2026. We […]
Chase Elliott Breaks 35-YO Earnhardt-Elliott Family Streak to Honor Kyle Busch’s NASCAR Legacy
For 35 years, the NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award has carried a special connection to the Elliott and Earnhardt families. It began with Bill Elliott’s dominant run in 1991 and continued through Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., and eventually Chase Elliott, who claimed eight consecutive victories from 2018 to 2025. But in 2026, Chase […]
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