The history of the National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver Award is a profound barometer of NASCAR fan sentiment, tracing its roots back to 1949. From the inaugural panel-selected winner, Curtis Turner in 194,9 to the legendary Richard Petty, who captured the award 9 times, the list is a who’s who of NASCAR royalty. The zenith of popularity belonged to Bill Elliott, who won an unparalleled 16 times, followed closely by his son, Chase Elliott, who has continued the dynasty with 7 consecutive wins from 2018 through 2024.

On the other hand, Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, has spent the better part of the last few years solidifying his role as NASCAR’s undisputed antagonist. For instance, following a September 2025 Cup Series victory at WWT Raceway near St. Louis, where he was met with a chorus of boos, Hamlin’s post-race interview went viral when he quipped, “Y’all can boo me. But, you can get on the bandwagon or you can get run over by it,” before telling the crowd to “Bring it!” 

Therefore, the inclusion of a polarizing figure like Hamlin into the current top five is a big shock and a seismic shift in the culture of NASCAR popularity contests. The nominees also include Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and Elliott, but the core narrative is whether the massive, established fan base of the 7-time winner, Elliott, can be successfully challenged by none other than Hamlin.

Even insiders like Jeff Gluck from The Athletic were surprised by the inclusion of the 23XI Racing co-owner, writing on X, “Denny????” not believing that he would reach the top-5.

Unlike Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Elliott, who have dominated the award in the 21st century, Hamlin has never won the fan-voted title. Then there’s Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, whose wide-ranging talent across dirt track, IndyCar, and NASCAR has earned him the title of the sport’s “best for motorsports nationwide.”

Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series champion, is the quintessential “nice guy,” known for his engaging personality and a massive following of young fans who connect with his genuine nature.

Finally, Chastain, though also a controversial figure known for his “Watermelon Man” brand and aggressive driving that sometimes crosses the line, has a rapid surge in popularity due to his exciting style of racing.

Ultimately, the unprecedented inclusion of Hamlin in the final stretch proves that fans in NASCAR are more complex and diverse than ever before. One group of fans clearly prioritizes the traditional, respectful, and wholesome image embodied by Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney, while another is energized by the “anti-hero” archetype that Hamlin has so successfully cultivated.

Fan votes show a split between social media and the track

One fan critiqued, “Why’s Denny Hamlin on here, this is supposed to be MOST popular, not LEAST popular.” One of the most derailed anecdotes of his villain arc is his post-race interview at Bristol Motor Speedway in September 2023. After the boos rained down following his playoff win, Hamlin famously declared to the crowd, “Hey, I beat your favorite driver… all of them,” directly referencing his ability to defeat popular figures like Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson consistently.

But another fan supported the decision, requesting, “Oh man we need to send NASCAR a message and give this to Denny this year. PLEASE.” This sentiment stems not from love but from appreciation for his unfiltered criticism of the governing body’s decision, primarily voiced on Hamlin’s Actions Detrimental podcast.

For instance, Hamlin has openly used his platform to state that the Next Gen car is reaching “hate levels” similar to the unpopular Car of Tomorrow (COT) and that NASCAR has made “horrible” business decisions regarding the car’s horsepower and design, directly echoing fan complaints about poor short-track and road course racing quality.

Some fans echoing the sentiment added, “I think some fans like myself are starting to appreciate how good he still is. He’s one of the last guys left of the older generation and I feel like he wants the right things for the sport. He’s become a lot easier to like and root for.”

One fan quipped, “This really shows the difference between Twitter and actual at track experience lol.” This online acceptance melts away at many venues every year, directly conflicting with the growing online respect for his media personality and business acumen as a 23XI Racing co-owner. However, Hamlin’s own personality brings about these varied responses and reactions from his supporters as well as haters.

While one fan wrote, “Not a Race driver Denny fan. But big Actions Detrimental fan. I like Blaney more than Chase. And I don’t like Ford at all. I wouldn’t have put Ross in the top 5. That surprised me. Larson is the best for motorsports nationwide. Let’s break the Elliott streak and get a 2nd.” 

This split loyalty between Hamlin’s podcast and his race performance illustrates a modern trend where a media personality drives affinity, which is evidenced by the show’s strong reception, holding a 4.8-star rating on Apple Podcasts with nearly 2,000 ratings, often converting non-Denny fans into fans of his candid commentary.

However, fans often crave change, and a shake-up like that of Hamlin winning the Most Popular Driver Award could refresh NASCAR’s fan landscape ahead of the next season.