DARLINGTON, S.C. – Dale Earnhardt Jr., who retired from full-time competition in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at the conclusion of the 2017 season, has been named the National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver for the 15th consecutive time.
Earnhardt’s selection was announced Thursday during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards program at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Earnhardt, 43, was named on nearly 68 percent of the votes cast by fans.
The driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt is one of eight drivers to receive the award on multiple occasions. Only one other driver, Bill Elliott, has won the award more often – Elliott was named the series’ most popular driver 16 times between 1984 and 2002.
Completing the top 10 in this year’s voting were (listed alphabetically): Ryan Blaney (Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Ford), Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota), Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet); Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet), Kasey Kahne (Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet), Matt Kenseth (Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Toyota), Kyle Larson (Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 Chevrolet), Danica Patrick (Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 Ford) and Martin Truex Jr. (Furniture Row Racing No. 78 Toyota).
The Most Popular Driver Award is the only major NASCAR award determined solely by fan vote. It has been presented annually since 1953; the recipients were originally determined by a poll of competitors. It became a fan-driven program in 1984 under the guidance of the NMPA.
Thirty-three drivers received votes for this year’s award.
In addition to hosting the voting platform for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series MPD award, fan votes to determine the Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series were also hosted on NASCAR.com.
Elliott Sadler, who finished second in the XFINITY Series championship battle won the NASCAR XFINITY Series MPD award; Sunoco Rookie of the Year Chase Briscoe was voted Camping World Truck Series MPD by fans.
Sadler and Briscoe will be honored Dec. 9 during NASCAR Champions Week in Charlotte.
NMPA MOST POPULAR DRIVER AWARD
The NMPA Most Popular Driver Award is one of the longest-running awards presented annually by the National Motorsports Press Association. Since 1984, it has been the only major NASCAR award to be determined solely by fan vote.
Year – Recipient
2017 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1983 – Bobby Allison
2016 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1982 – Bobby Allison
2015 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1981 – Bobby Allison
2014 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1980 – David Pearson
2013 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1979 – David Pearson
2012 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1978 – Richard Petty
2011 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1977 – Richard Petty
2010 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1976 – Richard Petty
2009 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1975 – Richard Petty
2008 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1974 – Richard Petty
2007 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1973 – Bobby Allison
2006 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1972 – Bobby Allison
2005 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1971 – Bobby Allison
2004 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1970 – Richard Petty
2003 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1969 – Bobby Isaac
2002 – Bill Elliott 1968 – Richard Petty
2001 – Dale Earnhardt 1966 – Darel Dieringer
1999 – Bill Elliott 1965 – Fred Lorenzen
1998 – Bill Elliott 1964 – Richard Petty
1997 – Bill Elliott 1963 – Fred Lorenzen
1996 – Bill Elliott 1962 – Richard Petty
1995 – Bill Elliott 1961 – Joe Weatherly
1994 – Bill Elliott 1960 – Rex White
1993 – Bill Elliott 1959 – Jack Smith
1992 – Bill Elliott 1958 – Glen Wood
1991 – Bill Elliott 1957 – Fireball Robert
1990 – Darrell Waltrip ` 1956 – Curtis Turner
1989 – Darrell Waltrip 1955 – Tim Flock
1988 – Bill Elliott 1954 – Lee Petty
1987 – Bill Elliott 1953 – Lee Petty
1986 – Bill Elliott
1985 – Bill Elliott
1984 – Bill Elliott
