Chase Elliott has been honored as NASCAR Cup’s Most Popular Driver starting in 2018 and has maintained this distinction every year since. Additionally, he has secured the National Motorsports Writers Association Award for eight consecutive years. His father, Bill Elliott, previously won this award 16 times between 1984 and 2002. This triumph also represents the 35th continuous year that either an Earnhardt or Elliott family member has claimed the Fans’ Choice Award, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning it for 15 straight seasons before retiring from the Cup Series. Chase Elliott clinched the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Championship and concluded the 2025 season in eighth place, boasting two race victories.
In a video message, Elliott expressed his gratitude, emphasizing that the award reflects more than just votes — it symbolizes the incredible support from fans across the country, some from unexpected places.
Leading up to the final results, NASCAR revealed that Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Denny Hamlin, and Elliott were the top five vote-getters.
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Justin Allgaier, the 2024 series champion, was named the Most Popular Driver for the third consecutive year. He has won five times in the last six years, finishing 2025 in third place with three wins, amassing a total of 28 career wins. Meanwhile, in the NASCAR Truck Series, Rajah Carruth earned the Most Popular Driver title for the second consecutive year. At 23, Carruth is expected to move up to the Xfinity Series next year, racing mainly with JR Motorsports. He has two Truck Series wins and finished sixth in the 2025 standings with Spire Motorsports.
Veteran broadcaster Mike Joy was honored with the Myers Brothers Award by the National Motorsports Press Association.
Fan Take: Chase Elliott’s continued popularity underscores his strong connection with NASCAR fans, making this a significant achievement that honors legacy and passion in the sport. This ongoing family dominance in fan awards highlights the deep-rooted traditions and personal stories that keep NASCAR engaging for generations.
