In 2019, Kyle Busch told Barstool Sports he was “pretty sure I’m never going to win” the NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award. Now, after his passing, a fellow driver has made a selfless move that could finally give Busch a chance to receive the honor he never won during his career.

Chase Elliott has officially withdrawn from the 2026 ballot, clearing the way for fans to rally behind Busch. While this might seem out of the blue, it really isn’t because back in May, Elliott did say he wanted Busch to get the award.

“I really haven’t processed all of that, I guess, to get to that point. But I would certainly be in favor of him winning and whatever it took. Yeah, I think it would be really deserving for him to have that honor,” Elliott said.

This is a huge step for Elliott. For 35 years, the NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award has carried a special connection to the Elliott and Earnhardt families. It began with Bill Elliott’s dominant run in 1991 and continued through Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., and eventually Chase Elliott, who claimed eight consecutive victories from 2018 to 2025. Until now.

And if you ask where he got the heart to do this from? It all comes from him watching his dad do the same.

Chase Elliott follows his dad’s example

Chase’s decision carries a rather striking family connection. In 2001, his father, Bill Elliott, withdrew from consideration after Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500. Bill had won the award for 10 consecutive years, from 1991 through 2000, but believed Earnhardt deserved the honor. Earnhardt received his first and only Most Popular Driver Award that year, while Bill returned to win it in 2002.

The parallel is difficult to miss. Both Elliott drivers chose to put another competitor ahead of their own award-winning runs. In 2026, Chase is hoping fans will give Busch the recognition that eluded him throughout his career, and you best believe that Rowdy, deserves it.

Kyle Busch’s record makes the gesture even more meaningful

Busch won 234 races across NASCAR’s three national series, the most in the sport’s history, and captured two Cup Series championships.

He also owned Kyle Busch Motorsports, helping develop talent in the Truck Series. His outspoken personality and aggressive style made him a polarizing figure, but he built a fiercely loyal following known as “Rowdy Nation.”

He passed away on May 21, 2026, at age 41 after severe bacterial pneumonia progressed into sepsis. But the community and fans he has built over the years are still here, and it’s not just Chase Elliott rooting for him.

Chase Elliott isn’t the only driver backing Busch

Elliott is not the only driver backing Busch’s bid. Carson Hocevar has also called for Busch to receive the award, asking his fans to vote for the late driver rather than focus on his own chances. Despite Hocevar’s growing popularity and strong merchandise sales, he believes this year’s honor should go to Busch.

That backing matters because the award is decided by fan votes not a panel of judges. Plus, Busch is on the ballot with 34 full-time Cup Series drivers, including familiar names such as Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson.

With Elliott no longer in contention, the result is more open than it has been in years. However, Busch’s victory is far from guaranteed. Fans still have to turn their support into votes.

How to vote?

Voting opened on October 23 and closes at noon ET on November 9. Fans can submit up to five votes per day per email address through NASCAR.com or the NASCAR mobile app, and those votes can be split between different drivers. The winner will be announced at the NASCAR Awards ceremony in Miami on November 10.

Whether Busch ultimately wins remains to be seen. But Elliott’s decision has already transformed this year’s vote into something bigger than a popularity contest: a chance to honor a driver whose impact on NASCAR went far beyond the trophies he had collected.