Chase Elliott has solidified his position as NASCAR's ultimate fan favorite by clinching the Most Popular Driver Award for the seventh consecutive year. During Friday’s NASCAR Awards at the Charlotte Convention Center, Elliott earned a staggering 266,363 fan votes to claim the honor. The Hendrick Motorsports driver extends the team’s dominance of the award, which has been in its hands for 17 straight years. Elliott's father, Bill Elliott, holds the record with 16 wins, making this a family tradition of popularity in the sport.
In a remarkable legacy spanning decades, only Darrell Waltrip in 1989-1990 has broken the Elliott and Earnhardt family streak of victories in this category over the past 40 years. Chase Elliott humbly credited his family for paving the way for his career and expressed gratitude to the fans who’ve supported him throughout his journey. His teammate, Kyle Larson, finished second in the voting, with 2023 champion Ryan Blaney taking third. Meanwhile, Justin Allgaier and Rajah Caruth were honored as the Most Popular Drivers in the Xfinity and Truck Series, respectively, further showcasing NASCAR’s diverse and growing fanbase.
The awards night also celebrated remarkable achievements beyond fan-favorites. Joey Logano, who clinched his third NASCAR Cup Series championship, was honored with a solid gold car and reflected on his journey from childhood dreams to being one of the sport's elite. Justin Allgaier and Ty Majeski were also recognized as champions in the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series, respectively, marking milestones in their careers. Meanwhile, Greg Biffle, a former Truck and Xfinity champion, was lauded for his heroic relief efforts during Hurricane Helene, earning him the prestigious Myers Brothers Award.
Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson was presented with the Bill France Award of Excellence for his 30 years of service to the sport, which included leading Toyota to three Cup Series titles. Erik Jones was also celebrated for his philanthropy, winning the Comcast Community Champion Award for his advocacy for cancer screenings and literacy. NASCAR honored its humanitarian spirit with the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award going to Judy Simmons, whose God's Pit Crew non-profit provides disaster relief to families in need.
The glittering ceremony not only highlighted exceptional athletic feats but also underscored NASCAR’s commitment to community service and its fans. From Chase Elliott's continued reign to heartfelt acknowledgments of individuals like Simmons and Biffle, the night served as a reminder of the enduring passion and dedication fueling the sport on and off the track.
