Chase Elliott has been honored as the Chase Elliott most popular driver in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2025, with the announcement made at NASCAR’s annual awards banquet in Phoenix on Tuesday. The recognition marks his eighth consecutive win of the National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver Award.
Chase Elliott Continues a Family Tradition of Popularity
Since first earning the award in 2018—the same year he secured his initial Cup Series victory—Chase Elliott has remained a consistent favorite among NASCAR fans. The Elliott family has a deep history with this honor, as his father, Bill Elliott, won the Most Popular Driver Award a record-setting 16 times throughout his career. Bill Elliott’s wins span from the mid-1980s through the early 2000s, setting the gold standard for fan recognition in stock car racing.
The legacy of the Most Popular Driver Award is also closely tied to the Earnhardt family, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. receiving the accolade 15 times between 2003 and 2017. Beyond the Elliotts and Earnhardts, the award has highlighted the careers of several NASCAR icons, reflecting the enduring connection between fans and their favorite drivers.
Highlighting Historic Winners of the Most Popular Driver Award
Long before the Elliott and Earnhardt families rose to prominence, respected figures like Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, and Richard Petty were recognized for their popularity. Darrell Waltrip secured the award in both 1989 and 1990, while Bobby Allison and Richard Petty collected multiple honors, further establishing themselves as fan favorites and legends within the sport. The list also includes early standouts like Glenn Wood, Rex White, and Fireball Roberts, representing the varied history of NASCAR Cup Series drivers since the award’s inception in 1949.
A Year-by-Year Overview of Notable Award Recipients
The full roster of Most Popular Driver Award winners in the NASCAR Cup Series underscores the tradition and prestige associated with the title. Among them are:
1. 2025: Chase Elliott (8th win)
2. 2024: Chase Elliott (7th win)
3. 2023: Chase Elliott (6th win)
4. 2022: Chase Elliott (5th win)
5. 2021: Chase Elliott (4th win)
6. 2020: Chase Elliott (3rd win)
7. 2019: Chase Elliott (2nd win)
8. 2018: Chase Elliott (first win)
9. 2017: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (15th win)
10. 2016: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (14th win)
11. 2015: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (13th win)
12. 2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (12th win)
13. 2013: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (11th win)
14. 2012: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (10th win)
15. 2011: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (9th win)
16. 2010: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (8th win)
17. 2009: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (7th win)
18. 2008: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (6th win)
19. 2007: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (5th win)
20. 2006: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (4th win)
21. 2005: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (3rd win)
22. 2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2nd win)
23. 2003: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (first win)
24. 2002: Bill Elliott (16th win)
25. 2001: Dale Earnhardt (posthumous)
26. 2000: Bill Elliott (15th win)
27. 1999: Bill Elliott (14th win)
28. 1998: Bill Elliott (13th win)
29. 1997: Bill Elliott (12th win)
30. 1996: Bill Elliott (11th win)
31. 1995: Bill Elliott (10th win)
32. 1994: Bill Elliott (9th win)
33. 1993: Bill Elliott (8th win)
34. 1992: Bill Elliott (7th win)
35. 1991: Bill Elliott (6th win)
This list continues deep into the history of NASCAR, featuring notable drivers such as Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Fred Lorenzen, Bobby Isaac, Cale Yarborough, Darel Dieringer, Lee Petty, Curtis Turner, Fireball Roberts, Joe Weatherly, Rex White, Jack Smith, and Glen Wood, each contributing to the sport’s rich heritage.
Continuing the Legacy in NASCAR Cup Series
The recognition of Chase Elliott as the most popular driver for 2025 at the NASCAR Cup Series awards banquet in Phoenix illustrates not only his ongoing appeal, but also the lasting relationship between fans and their favorite competitors. His achievement reflects decades of tradition within a celebrated group of drivers who have received the National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver Award. As Elliott’s career continues, fans and the industry alike will watch for how he and future drivers help shape the evolving legacy of NASCAR’s most beloved competitors.
