Chase Elliott has removed his name from consideration for NASCAR‘s Most Popular Driver Award as voting opens this year, a decision he made out of respect for the late Kyle Busch, according to FOX Sports. The National Motorsports Press Association announced the start of balloting the same day, ending a run in which Elliott had claimed the honor every year since 2018.
The Main Development
Elliott’s withdrawal breaks a streak that stretched back eight years, making him one of the sport’s most consistent winners of the fan-voted award. By stepping aside now, he opens the field for other drivers just as the NMPA’s voting window begins.
Voting runs from Friday through Nov. 9, with the winner set to be revealed Nov. 10. The timeline lines up with the end of the Cup Series season, since Nov. 9 falls the day after the season finale.
What It Means For The Most Popular Driver Vote
Elliott’s decision removes the sport’s reigning Most Popular Driver favorite from this year’s ballot entirely. The Chase Elliott Most Popular Driver vote has been a formality in recent seasons given his dominance of the category, so his absence leaves an opening that has not existed since before 2018.
The fact sheet does not identify who NASCAR or the NMPA expects to benefit most from Elliott sitting out, and no information is available yet on how the field of candidates will shake out without him.
Context And Background
The Most Popular Driver Award has deep ties to the Elliott family. Chase’s father, Bill Elliott, holds the record with 16 career wins in the category. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won it 15 consecutive times before his retirement, a streak Chase Elliott’s own run had begun to approach.
Elliott’s choice to step back this year stands out against that family and sport history, given how rarely top contenders remove themselves from consideration while actively competing.
What’s Next
Voting for the Most Popular Driver Award continues through Nov. 9, with the NMPA set to announce the winner on Nov. 10, one day after the Cup Series season finale. No further details on the voting process or candidate list have been released.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
