NASCAR has plenty of names that are polarizing with the fans. Chase Elliott had a season to forget in 2023, and this was the first season of his Cup career that he had a legit chance of getting upset for the sport's Most Popular Driver Award.
Elliott had won five in a row heading into Thursday's season-ending awards event. Elliott had plenty of competition this year, as Kyle Busch who has famously been booed throughout his career, started getting more cheers since moving to Richard Childress Racing and Chevrolet this season.
Busch was among the top five vote-getters for the award and even evaluated his chances of knocking off Elliott for the award before the ceremony. Busch chatted with the media about his chances, but it didn't matter in the end.
Elliott's best friend, Ryan Blaney, who won the series championship, was yet another driver that could have easily dethroned him. Blaney has grown very popular at races, including giving the checkered flag to a young fan in the crowd whenever he wins.
Another driver who made the top five in votes were Elliott's teammate Kyle Larson, who ended up third in the votes for the award. Trackhouse Racing's Ross Chastain was also among the top five in votes.
Plenty of flavor, and personality in that top five. However, it wasn't enough as Elliott graciously accepted his sixth consecutive Most Popular Driver Award on stage in Nashville, and later thanked the fans on his X page.
Y?all are the best! Thanks for always showing my family the support you do. pic.twitter.com/L1Ffe6UP3h
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) December 1, 2023
Even with him winning the award, he has plenty of doubters, and that was clear on social media after Fox Sport's Bob Pockrass announced that Elliott had won the award.
Despite the criticism from some NASCAR fans, the award has nothing to do with being the best in the sport.
No offense to his dad Bill Elliott, or Dale Earnhardt Jr., who both received the award multiple times, but there are plenty of other drivers who were popular in the sport and won championships but never received the award.
Earnhardt Jr. would be the first to admit that Jimmie Johnson should have won Most Popular Driver at some point in his career.
It's not just about the fans, it's about which driver sells merchandise, and there is no denying that Chase Elliott is a big-time seller in NASCAR. Whether it's diecasts or t-shirts, the Elliott name has always sold in the sport.
Go ahead and hate, it isn't going to change. Elliott will probably keep on winning the award, despite what some people think.
