Chase Elliott Wins Fourth Straight NMPA Most Popular Driver Award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Chase Elliott continues to follow his family tradition, both on the race track and in the eyes of NASCAR Cup Series fans.

For the fourth straight year, Elliott has been named NMPA Most Popular Driver present by Hooters, the only major NASCAR award determined solely by the vote of race fans. Elliott easily outpolled the competition to win the 2021 honor.

Since 1990, drivers named Elliott or Earnhardt have monopolized the award. Chase’s father, Bill Elliott, won the honor a record 16 times, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. a close second as a 15-time NMPA Most Popular Driver.

Now Elliott is building his own tradition as the decisive winner of the award.

Historically, the NMPA Most Popular Driver presented by Hooters has honored the giants of the NASCAR Cup Series, from seven-time champion Richard Petty to David Pearson to Bobby Allison to Cale Yarborough to Darrell Waltrip—all Cup champions and all early selections to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The award was first presented in 1953, with Lee Petty earning the honor for the first of two consecutive years.

Are you a die-hard NASCAR fan? Follow every lap, every pit stop, every storyline? We're looking for fellow enthusiasts to share insights, race recaps, hot takes, or behind-the-scenes knowledge with our readers. Click Here to apply!

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SpeedwayMedia.com

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

SM SPEEDWAY SHOTS

Latest articles

Sam Mayer sweeps O’Reilly poles at Atlanta in 2026

The 23-year-old Mayer from Franklin, Wisconsin, clocked in a pole-winning lap at 173.061 mph in 32.035 seconds for his sixth O'Reilly career pole and second straight of 2026 at EchoPark Speedway.

Layne Riggs scores first Truck pole of 2026 at Lime Rock Park

The 24-year-old Riggs from Bahama, North Carolina, clocked in a pole-winning lap at 99.115 mph in 53.683 seconds for his fifth Truck career pole and first on a road course in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Jacob Denney goes back-to-back with Jefferson County Fairgrounds Night 1 Victory

Jacob Denney was entering the two-night affair at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Fairbury, Nebraska, with tons of momentum and seeking back-to-back victories.

Thomas Annunziata notches second consecutive ARCA victory at Lime Rock Park

The 21-year-old Annunziata from Colts Neck, New Jersey, led all but nine of 68 laps en route to his second consecutive ARCA Menards Series career victory in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Best New Zealand Online Casinos