Chase Elliott removes himself from Most Popular Driver voting in 2027

Chase Elliott will not win NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award for a ninth consecutive season. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has officially withdrawn his name from consideration for the 2026 award, encouraging fans to support the late Kyle Busch instead. The National Motorsports Press Association confirmed the decision when voting opened on October 23.

Elliott has dominated the award since 2018, winning eight consecutive times following Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s retirement from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition. However, the 30-year-old decided to step aside following Busch’s unexpected death on May 21. Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion with 63 career victories, remains eligible to receive the award posthumously.

The decision follows a similar gesture made by Elliott’s father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, in 2001. After Dale Earnhardt died during the Daytona 500, Bill removed himself from consideration for the award. Earnhardt went on to receive the honor that season, while Bill eventually finished his career with a record 16 Most Popular Driver awards.

Speaking at Talladega Superspeedway, Elliott explained that he had always respected his father’s decision and wanted to honor Busch’s legacy. Although Busch frequently embraced his reputation as one of NASCAR’s most polarizing drivers, Elliott emphasized the passionate fan base he developed throughout his career. Elliott also encouraged his supporters to consider voting for Busch as a tribute to his contributions to the sport.

Voting for the 2026 Most Popular Driver Award remains open until November 9 at noon ET. Fans can submit up to five votes per day through NASCAR’s website or mobile application. The winner will be announced during the NASCAR Awards ceremony in Miami on November 10, guaranteeing a new recipient following Elliott’s withdrawal.

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Chase Elliott removes himself from Most Popular Driver voting in 2027