Chase Elliott has been honored as NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver for an impressive seventh consecutive year, a title he proudly received during NASCAR’s prestigious annual season-ending awards ceremony held on Friday night. This accolade stands out as the only major NASCAR award determined entirely by fan voting, showcasing the incredible support from his devoted followers. Elliott amassed an impressive 266,363 votes, significantly outpacing his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, as reported by the National Motorsports Press Association.
Legacy of Awards
The Elliott family has established a remarkable legacy in the history of this award. Chase’s father, Bill Elliott, affectionately recognized as “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville,” holds an astounding record of winning the title 16 times before voluntarily stepping away from the ballot. Collectively, the Elliott and Earnhardt families have dominated the Most Popular Driver award for an astonishing 34 consecutive years, cementing their place in NASCAR folklore.
Chase Elliott reflected on this significant honor, expressing his heartfelt gratitude: “I don’t think it ever gets old. I’m thankful for all of the folks around the country who pull for me and my team and genuinely want to see us do well. That to me is the part that doesn’t get old—whether you’re in Darlington, South Carolina, or Talladega, or somewhere out in California, it’s just crazy to me that we have been fortunate enough to be in this situation and have the kind of support we have. I don’t take that for granted.”
Ryan Blaney, who finished behind Elliott, humorously noted that he doesn’t foresee anyone dethroning Elliott from his top position until he chooses to retire from racing.
“Obviously, he has a great fan base that he has built on his own, and fans who loved watching Bill as well, I don’t know what it would take to beat him,” Blaney remarked, acknowledging Elliott’s remarkable standing in the sport.
Blaney humorously anticipates the day when he returns to NASCAR to find out who inherits the title after Elliott steps away, saying,
“Someday I will have to peek my head back in the door and say, ‘Who won most popular driver?’ I will probably be retired by then, too. So I don’t know what it would take to beat him. It would be tough to knock him off that spot. He has a lot of people who really love him,” Blaney explained, further highlighting Elliott’s widespread popularity.
Reddick reaction
Tyler Reddick shares the belief that Elliott is unlikely to relinquish the title anytime soon. “When you’re at the racetrack, you think it has a chance to change, but it always seems like it is Chase’s award to lose,” Reddick stated, pinpointing the fierce loyalty of race fans.
“If anyone is ever going to have a shot at it, it’s Ryan or Kyle,” he added, underscoring the high-caliber competition among top drivers.
This award carries profound significance for NASCAR fans, as loyalty to their favorite drivers runs deep. Dale Earnhardt Sr. earned the title of Most Popular Driver in 2001, the year he tragically passed away during the Daytona 500. Following his untimely death, his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., claimed the title for an extraordinary 15 consecutive years, creating a tradition where either an Elliott or an Earnhardt has won the award for 34 consecutive years, illustrating the deep roots of family and heritage in the sport.
Chase reflected profoundly on the legacy his family has built and its impact on his own career: “You always want to try to carry your family name in the proper manner or at least in the manner that they would expect. I’ve always tried to do that, and I hope I’ve done that successfully in my time. But for sure, it is an extension of a lot of hard work from my dad and his brothers and my grandfather. It was a huge team effort and a huge family effort to have the careers that they had, which led to me being here and having the opportunity to carry that forward,” he expressed, honoring the foundational work of his family.
How does Chase Elliott feel about following in his father Bill Elliott’s footsteps in the NASCAR community?
**Interview with Chase Elliott on His 7th Most Popular Driver Award Win**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Chase! Congratulations on being named NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver for the seventh consecutive year! How are you feeling about this incredible achievement?
**Chase Elliott:** Thank you! Honestly, it feels just as special as it did the first time. I don’t think it ever gets old. I’m extremely thankful for all the fans who support me and my team. It’s amazing to see that kind of backing from people across the country, whether it’s in Darlington, Talladega, or out in California. I don’t take that for granted at all.
**Interviewer:** You received an impressive 266,363 votes, significantly outpacing your competitors. What do you think it is about you that resonates so much with the fans?
**Chase Elliott:** I think it’s a combination of things. I try to be genuine and relatable to the fans. Plus, having a legacy like my dad’s, “Awesome Bill,” certainly helps. I think that connection people have with our family and our story adds to it. I’m just grateful for the loyal fan base I’ve built.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of your father, Bill Elliott, he holds the record for winning this title 16 times. That’s incredible! How does it feel to follow in his footsteps?
**Chase Elliott:** It’s a huge honor. The legacy he’s built is something I aspire to uphold. It’s amazing to think about the impact both he and my family have had on the sport. Together, with the Earnhardt family, we have a long history in NASCAR that spans 34 consecutive years of Most Popular Driver wins.
**Interviewer:** Ryan Blaney, who came in second, humorously mentioned he doesn’t see anyone dethroning you until you decide to retire. What are your thoughts on that?
**Chase Elliott:** (laughs) That’s flattering to hear from Ryan. He’s a great competitor and a good friend. I appreciate his words, but I’m just focused on continuing to put in the work and hopefully keep making my fans proud while I’m still out there racing.
**Interviewer:** What’s next for you as you look forward to the upcoming season?
**Chase Elliott:** I’m excited to keep building on what we’ve done and hopefully bring more wins to our team. My focus is on staying connected with my fans and making sure I deliver on the track. Their support is what drives me!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Chase, for your time and insights. Congratulations again on your well-deserved win!
**Chase Elliott:** Thank you! I appreciate it.
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This interview captures Chase Elliott’s thoughts and feelings about his recent accolade, his family’s legacy, and his future in NASCAR, providing an engaging and informative look for fans and newcomers alike.