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Kyle Busch Posthumously Voted the Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2026
Fans posthumously honored Kyle Busch after a campaign from top drivers and Elliott’s withdrawal from the vote.
- On Tuesday, November 10, 2026, NASCAR honored the late Kyle Busch as Most Popular Driver during its annual awards banquet in Miami, with his widow, Samantha Busch, accepting the trophy.
- Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, died unexpectedly on May 21 at age 41 from pneumonia complications, cultivating a devoted fanbase known as "Rowdy Nation" during his career.
- Chase Elliott, who won the award for eight consecutive years, removed himself from the 2026 ballot to support Busch; fellow drivers Kyle Larson and Carson Hocevar publicly urged their fans to vote for him.
- Breaking a streak held by the Earnhardt and Elliott families since 1990, Busch became the first non-Elliott or non-Earnhardt winner, prompting widow Samantha to say, "Kyle, babe, I wish you could see this."
- Despite amassing 234 career victories across NASCAR's top three series, Busch had never won the award while alive, having previously told NASCAR he finished second for several consecutive years.
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Kyle Busch posthumously voted the most popular driver in the NASCAR Cu
MIAMI (AP) — The late Kyle Busch was recognized as the Cup Series’ most popular driver Tuesday at NASCAR’s season-ending awards banquet. Busch’s widow, Samantha, was on hand to accept the posthumous trophy at the Adrienne Arsht
·Baltimore, United States
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Winnipeg Free Press+7 Reposted by 7 other sources
Kyle Busch posthumously voted the most popular driver in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2026
MIAMI (AP) — The late Kyle Busch was recognized as the Cup Series’ most popular driver Tuesday at NASCAR’s season-ending awards banquet.
·Winnipeg, Canada
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Kyle Busch wins NASCAR Most Popular Driver award posthumously
·Nashville, United States
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution87% Center
Bias Distribution
- 87% of the sources are Center
87% Center
13%
C 87%
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