Chase Elliott, one of NASCAR’s most celebrated drivers, has clinched the Most Popular Driver award for the seventh consecutive year, but not without stirring controversy among fans. Presented during the annual Awards Banquet in Charlotte, the accolade—decided by fan votes and administered by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA)—has solidified Elliott’s position as a fan favorite. However, reactions to his victory have been anything but unanimous.
The Most Popular Driver award has a storied history dominated by two families: the Earnhardts and the Elliotts. Bill Elliott, Chase’s father, first captured the honor in 1991 and maintained a streak until seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. won in 2001. After a brief comeback in 2002, Bill was overtaken by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who held the title for an unprecedented 15 years until his retirement in 2017.
Chase Elliott picked up the torch in 2018, securing his first win in the category and establishing his own streak, which now stands at seven consecutive victories.
While Elliott’s popularity seems evident, his win has sparked disapproval from a segment of fans who feel his dominance in the award category may not entirely reflect his contributions to the sport. Social media reactions were mixed, with some questioning whether Elliott’s appeal is waning.
- “But why? He’s boring, doesn’t do anything for the sport. He’s no Dale Jr.,” one fan remarked.
- “Most popular driver but can’t help grow the sport,” another opined.
- “Rigged,” a frustrated fan declared outright.
Some fans even pointed to the repetitive nature of the award, expressing fatigue over the same winner year after year. “I’m a Chase fan, no doubt, but it’s kinda redundant having the same driver over and over again every year,” one commenter noted.
Despite the backlash, Elliott’s appeal to many fans lies in his family’s enduring relatability. Before being crowned, Chase reflected on the legacy of his father, Bill, and his grandfather, Ervin George Elliott Jr., who played significant roles in shaping NASCAR’s history.
“Those guys had such a… him (Bill) and his brothers and my grandfather, I mean they’re such a neat story,” Elliott said. “They were an easy group of guys to like because I think they were extremely relatable with a lot of America and beyond, and I think that’s really cool.”
Bill Elliott, a 16-time recipient of the award, built a career rooted in humble beginnings. His family-run team, supported by Ervin’s expertise as a crew chief and engine builder, resonated deeply with the American audience—a sentiment Chase believes still holds today.
While Elliott’s popularity remains unmatched in the fan vote, his performance on the track in 2024 was less dominant. After missing the playoffs in 2023, Elliott managed to rebound this year, securing a single victory at Texas Motor Speedway, which earned him a spot in the playoffs. Despite advancing to the Round of 8, Elliott was eliminated and finished the season seventh in the standings.
As Elliott joins the ranks of NASCAR legends like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bobby Allison, and his father in winning the award multiple times, the question remains: does his on-track performance justify his continued reign as NASCAR’s most popular driver?
While many fans still hold him in high regard, others believe it’s time for new faces to share the spotlight, raising an ongoing debate about what defines “popularity” in the modern era of NASCAR.
With his seventh win in the bag, Chase Elliott shows no signs of slowing down in his pursuit of NASCAR history. Whether or not he can address the concerns of his critics, one thing is clear: his legacy, like his family’s, continues to be a major influence on the sport.
