Chase Elliott has spent the past eight years as NASCAR’s undisputed fan favorite. Now, the Hendrick Motorsports driver is stepping aside in hopes that another name will be called when the sport hands out its Most Popular Driver Award.
And the driver he wants to see recognized is the late Kyle Busch.
On Friday, Oct. 23, the National Motorsports Press Association and NASCAR announced that Elliott had voluntarily withdrawn from consideration for the 2026 award. The decision comes as voting officially opens, with Busch included on this year’s ballot.
Elliott has won the honor every year since 2018, making his withdrawal particularly significant. For the first time in nearly a decade, NASCAR will crown a different Most Popular Driver.
Chase Elliott Steps Aside After Eight Consecutive Awards
Elliott’s decision wasn’t entirely unexpected. Following Busch’s death earlier this year, the driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet publicly discussed the possibility of removing himself from consideration.
At the time, Elliott emphasized that his previous victories didn’t entitle him to another award.
“I’m not guaranteed the win, so let’s make that clear, number one,” Elliott said in May. “That’s not me saying me, ‘oh, it’s mine’ and remove myself for that reason. I just think it’s one of those things that Kyle is a guy who really deserves an award like that.”
Chase Elliott goes in-depth about pulling his name from NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award in light of the passing of Kyle Busch and pledging his support for Rowdy winning the award in 2026:
— Jamie Oakes (@JamieOakes_) May 31, 2026
“I’m not guaranteed the win, so let’s make that clear, number one. That’s not me saying… pic.twitter.com/HzYeJoCusN
He also pointed to the passionate following Busch built throughout his career, despite being one of NASCAR’s more polarizing personalities.
“Just feel like he deserves to win the award, truthfully. I obviously don’t know what’s going to happen this year, but I just want to throw my support to make sure that I didn’t get in the way of that.”
The gesture also carries a family connection.
Elliott’s father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, made a similar decision in 2001 following Dale Earnhardt’s death. Bill Elliott won the Most Popular Driver Award a record 16 times, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. later claimed 15 consecutive awards.
Carson Hocevar Urges Fans to Vote for Kyle Busch
Elliott isn’t the only Cup Series driver encouraging fans to recognize Busch.
On Friday, Carson Hocevar shared an Instagram Story urging his followers to cast their votes for the two-time Cup Series champion rather than himself.
“HEY I JUST VOTING OPEN FOR MOST POPULAR DRIVER. TO MY FANS. DON’T VOTE FOR ME. VOTE FOR KYLE BUSCH. THANKS.”
The message was direct, but it reflected the broader effort to honor Busch’s legacy.
Busch, who died earlier this year, was one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, winning two Cup Series championships and building a devoted fan base over a career that also made him one of the sport’s most recognizable personalities.
His longtime public relations representative, Bill Janitz, previously spoke about how much fan recognition meant to Busch.
“I’d love to see the fans rally behind him and vote him Most Popular Driver because, I’m telling you, he’d get a kick out of that. He talked about it more than people would ever know,” Janitz said.
With Elliott officially out of the running and Hocevar directing his supporters toward Busch, this year’s award has taken on a meaning well beyond the usual popularity contest.
For Elliott, the decision means giving up a chance at a ninth consecutive victory. For Busch’s family, friends and fans, it offers another opportunity to celebrate a driver whose impact on NASCAR extended far beyond his results on the track.