LEBANON – Chase Elliott has followed his dad’s lead in an attempt to honor a NASCAR driver posthumously.
Elliott doubled down on May 30 that he has withdrawn his name from the ballot for NASCAR’s 2026 Most Popular Driver award in an attempt that Kyle Busch wins the award. Busch died on May 21.
Advertisement
“I just think it’s one of those things that I think Kyle is a guy that really deserves something of an award like that,” said Elliott on May 30 during a NASCAR media session at Nashville Superspeedway prior to the Sports Illustrated Resorts 250. “I think he’s a guy that has had a lot of fans over the course of his career.”
1 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MAY 03: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Amazon Prime Chevrolet, celebrates with the trophy in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY at Texas Motor Speedway on May 03, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
1 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MAY 03: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Amazon Prime Chevrolet, celebrates with the trophy in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY at Texas Motor Speedway on May 03, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
2 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MAY 03: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Amazon Prime Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY at Texas Motor Speedway on May 03, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
(Logan Riely, Getty Images)
3 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MAY 03: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Amazon Prime Chevrolet, poses for a photo with Speedway Motorsports Director Marcus Smith and General Manager Mark Faber after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY at Texas Motor Speedway on May 03, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
4 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Mar 29, 2026; Martinsville, Virginia, USA; Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott (9) celebrates the win with his crew at Martinsville Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
5 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Mar 29, 2026; Martinsville, Virginia, USA; Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott (9) celebrates the win with his crew and the trophy grandfather clock at Martinsville Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
6 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – MARCH 29: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 UniFirst Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 29, 2026 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
(Jacob Kupferman, Getty Images)
7 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN BET at Kansas Speedway on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
8 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, and Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren eat ribs in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN BET at Kansas Speedway on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
9 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, celebrates with Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN BET at Kansas Speedway on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
10 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott speaks with members of the media at the K1 Speed indoor kart racing facility Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
(Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean)
11 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – JUNE 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA/Children’s Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Echo Park Speedway on June 28, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Krista Jasso/Getty Images)
(Krista Jasso, Getty Images)
12 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – JUNE 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA/Children’s Chevrolet, celebrates with fans after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Echo Park Speedway on June 28, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
13 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – JUNE 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA/Children’s Chevrolet, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Echo Park Speedway on June 28, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
14 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 02: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet celebrates in victory lane after winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
15 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 02: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet poses with the winner sticker on his car in victory lane after winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
16 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 02: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet celebrates after winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
17 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) during the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
18 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) and his guest Ashley Anderson during the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
19 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR’s Chase Elliott at a press conference announcing a game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds in Bristol Motor Speedway, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.
(Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel)
20 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott is introduced before the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 30, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
21 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) runs off the track during the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 30, 2024.
(Denny Simmons / The Tennessean)
22 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Apr 14, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) and Texas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Mark Faber in Victory Lane after the NASCAR Cup Series AutoTrader EchoPark 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
(Michael C. Johnson, Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)
23 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Apr 14, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) answers questions from the media after winning the NASCAR Cup Series AutoTrader EchoPark 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
(Michael C. Johnson, Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)
24 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott signs autographs as he walks through the garage for the final practice before the Daytona 500, Friday, February 16, 2024, at Daytona International Speedway.
(David TuckerNews-Journal)
25 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Feb 14, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) during Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
(Motorsports Wire)
26 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott talks to Marty Snider after winning the Most Popular at the 2023 NASCAR Award banquet at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.
(Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean)
27 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Oct 14, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) during practice for the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
(Motorsports Wire)
28 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) battles for position with driver Kyle Busch (18) during the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 20, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
29 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 20, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
30 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott visits Tennessee Air National Guard at Berry Field in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
(Anthony Merriweather / The Tennessean)
31 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott visits Tennessee Air National Guard at Berry Field in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
(Anthony Merriweather / The Tennessean)
32 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott visits Tennessee Air National Guard at Berry Field in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
(Anthony Merriweather / The Tennessean)
33 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott and Kaylie Green walk the red carpet before the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Music City Center Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
(Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com)
34 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
May 17, 2020, Darlington, SC, USA; Driver Chase Elliott walks to his car for the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race.
(Brynn Anderson, Pool Photo-USA TODAY NETWORK)
35 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott does a burnout during the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway event in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
36 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott accepts the Most Popular Driver Award during the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Music City Center Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
37 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
May 23: Chase Elliott celebrates after winning the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
(Scott Wachter, USA TODAY Sports)
38 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Champion Chase Elliott practices driver changes along with his teammates during Roar Before the 24 practice at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.
(Nigel Cook/News-Journal)
39 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott celebrates with champagne next to the championship trophy after winning the 2020 NASCAR season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
40 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott does a burnout after winning the Season Finale 500 and capturing the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway in Phoenix, Ariz. on Nov. 8, 2020.
(Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic)
41 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott, second from left, raises the Miles the Monster trophy in victory lane with crew chief Alan Gustafson after winning the 2018 playoff race at Dover International Speedway.
(Matthew OHaren, USA TODAY Sports)
42 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Oct 7, 2018: NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (right) talks with former driver Jeff Gordon (left) prior to the Gander Outdoors 400 at Dover International Speedway.
(Matthew O’Haren/USA TODAY Sports)
43 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott celebrates winning the pole for the 2016 Daytona 500.
(Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)
44 / 44
Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott celebrates by kissing the snowball on his trophy after winning the 2013 Snowball Derby Sunday at Five Flags Speedway.
(John Blackie/jblackie@pnj.com, John Blackie/Pensacola News Jour)
Elliott made it clear that by pulling his name, it’s not meant to imply that he would win the award had he not pull his name. He just wants to do his part. He has won the award 2018-2025.
Elliott’s dad, Bill Elliott, withdrew from the ballot in 2001 after Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s death. Earnhardt was voted that season as NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver. Bill Elliott had won the award 1991-2000 and again in 2002.
CRACKER BARREL 400 QUALIFYING: NASCAR Nashville qualifying results, Denny Hamlin on the pole as starting lineup set
Advertisement
More: What Kyle Larson said about how his children have honored Kyle Busch
“I’m aware of the boos, and that was fun,” Chase Elliott said. “I think he deserves to win the award, truthfully. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I wanted to throw my support to that.”
Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on the X platform @Kreager.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Chase Elliott wants Kyle Busch to be NASCAR Most Popular Driver
Read the full article here
