Just like his father, Bill Elliott, did after the death of NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt in 2001, Chase Elliott, an eight-time winner of NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award, has removed himself from consideration for the post-season award this year.
On Friday, NASCAR officially released the ballot for the Most Popular Driver Award, which, this season, features a total of 35 drivers – sans Chase Elliott, of course, who elected to take himself off the ballot to make way for the late Kyle Busch, who tragically passed away in May after a severe illness.
Busch, along with 34 other NASCAR Cup Series drivers eligible for points and championship contention in 2026, is on the ballot and eligible to win the award.
Voting opened at 9:00 AM ET on Friday, October 23, and will close on Monday, November 9, the day after the NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
