Chase Elliott has once again been recognized as the top fan favorite, securing his eighth consecutive NMPA Most Popular Driver Award in the NASCAR Cup Series, a testament to his ongoing connection with supporters and his continued influence in the sport. The achievement underscores Elliott’s status as the “Chase Elliott Most Popular Driver,” with the announcement made in late November following the annual NASCAR Awards ceremony.
Elliott Acknowledges Dedicated Fans After Award Win
Although Elliott, the No. 9 driver for Hendrick Motorsports and 2020 Cup Series champion, was absent from the formal award presentation earlier in the week, he expressed gratitude in a social media post and expanded on those sentiments during a media meeting held two days later. The Georgia native attributed much of his continued popularity to his fanbase, stating,
“Just really grateful for the people that have supported me throughout my career,”
Chase Elliott, Driver. He further emphasized,
“I feel like I have some of the best fans that you can have, and the most passionate too. I think all those things carry a lot of weight in their own way. I was just trying to show my appreciation and my gratitude towards the people that obviously took the time to vote and take time out of their day to do that.”
Chase Elliott, Driver.
Continuing a Family Tradition of Popularity in NASCAR
Chase Elliott’s consistent capture of the Most Popular Driver Award continues a family legacy, as his father, Bill Elliott, remains the holder of the all-time record with 16 awards. Bill Elliott earned these honors throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, demonstrating that fan admiration for the Elliott name has deep roots within the NASCAR community.
Personal Interactions with Fans Shape Elliott’s Experience
Elliott, hailing from Dawsonville, Georgia, described how face-to-face moments with supporters—especially younger fans—on race weekends have had a lasting impact on him. He recalled,
“I mean, there’s definitely been plenty where I’m frustrated or had a bad day and I just always kind of come back to trying to remind myself of ‘hey, that little kid who is wearing your fire suit that he bought outside at the merch hauler, and your hat and your T-Shirt and stuff that wants it signed, or, you know, wants a photo,”
Chase Elliott, Driver. He added,
“This can be said for any driver, not just the person who wins the award, but I do think that us being in the positions that we’re in, and having a little bit of a platform, at least, you can impact somebody’s day and in a positive manner. It could be five seconds, it could be five minutes, but in doing that, I think that you’ve helped.”
Chase Elliott, Driver.
Embracing the Diversity of NASCAR Fans
The recognition as the sport’s most popular driver does not mean that Elliott is the personal favorite for every fan in the grandstands or watching at home, and he is highly aware of this variety. He spoke directly about the reasons fans gravitate toward various drivers, explaining,
“Fans are going to migrate to whatever they like and that might pull them into different directions, whether it’s a car number or the person themselves or interaction that they have with someone you know at a race track,”
Chase Elliott, Driver. He continued,
“You don’t have to like the way that I do things, and that’s totally okay I have no ill will against that at all. I think that’s part of what makes the sport great. You’re going to have people that have their way of going about their business. I think the best thing us as drivers can do is be ourselves, find confidence in that, and find comfort in that, and let the people pull for whoever they want to pull for on the weekends.”
Chase Elliott, Driver.
Reflecting on the Past Season and Looking Forward
In addition to talking about his relationship with NASCAR fans, Elliott also reviewed his recent Cup Series performance. He advanced to the Round of 8 in the playoffs and recorded two race wins during the 2025 season. Considering the year, he noted both its achievements and areas for improvement:
“There was a few high spots in there, which is always great,”
Chase Elliott, Driver. He offered further insight,
“I think as a competitor, at least for me, I’m always looking for more. I don’t think I’m ever satisfied even on those good days. I see so much potential in our team. I might not have the most positive way of looking at things a lot of days, but I also try and give credit where it’s due, and also grade myself and our team honestly in those moments as well. We have a lot of things that we need to do better, no question.”
Chase Elliott, Driver.
Award Significance and the Road Ahead
Chase Elliott’s eighth straight NMPA Most Popular Driver Award cements his connection with fans and secures his reputation among the most admired NASCAR drivers. Reflecting on the continued support, Elliott’s focus remains on delivering strong performances for Hendrick Motorsports while appreciating the fans who make NASCAR a vibrant and passionate community. As he looks to future seasons, the influence of long-standing fan relationships and personal interactions at events will continue guiding the driver’s approach both on and off the track.
Thank you to all the fans who voted for me as the 2025 NASCAR Most Popular Driver! I don’t take this award lightly and truly appreciate all the support each and every one of you shows to me and my family. pic.twitter.com/dhp2souftE
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) November 5, 2025
