Chase Elliott is a 6-time NMPA NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver of the Year award winner. The annual NASCAR championship celebration evening brought some solace for Chase after a disappointing 2023. However, the award ceremony reminded him of an old bet with Bubba Wallace. The reason for him being happy is the result of his bet with 23XI Racing‘s Bubba. The pair put their money on the NCAA football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Georgia Bulldogs in 2022.

The Bulldogs won 27-13 and, along with them, won Chase. However, Bubba Wallace has dismissed these claims at Music City Center in Nashville. The #23 driver sarcastically said that Chase also needs to consider his earnings. Well, Chase Elliott is worth $12 million and a former Cup Series champion with a streak of six NMPA awards.

Bubba Wallace wants Chase Elliott to ‘stop picking on little people‘

Elliott was one of the centers of attraction for the evening. Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson, 2023 champion Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain, and Kyle Busch stood in his way of being this year’s most popular driver. Certain doubts were also present within the community about Chase’s claim to the prize. He made his chances bleak in a torrid season with no wins and playoff action.

Bubba Wallace, on the other hand, had his best-ever season. The Alabama native went on to run in the Round of 12 races after his playoff debut. On being reminded of his bet with Chase around the same time last year, he said, “What kind of bet? I don’t know, man.”

“That dude makes so much money and wants a dollar from me. That’s nuts. Picking on little people? Come on, Chase. Be better, bro.”

When the question comes about honoring the bet, Bubba Wallace believes that there is a chance he and Elliott could resolve it. “About the bet, maybe,” said Bubba as he continued to enquire about Elliott’s presence at the NASCAR Awards. “Is he here tonight? If it’s Chase Elliott, he’s probably not sure,” claimed Bubba jokingly.

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Chase Elliott might have forgotten about the old bet, but that won’t be the case for his 2023 season. Speaking about the difficult time he had to endure, he revealed the consequences of the rough patch. Elliott might have forgotten about the old bet, but that won’t be the case for his 2023 season. Speaking about the difficult time he had to endure, he revealed the consequences of the rough patch.

Elliott believes he has learned a lot in 2023

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Chase was quick to be grateful to his fans for staying loyal and supportive through his worst season. Carrying on the legacy of his father, Bill Elliott, a 16-time recipient of the award, he expressed that he understood the legacy he had to respect and continue. “I recognize my spot in line and recognize what they’ve done. The reason it is special is because of the fans and how supportive they have been to my entire family, myself included, over the years, and I am so grateful for what they do for us. They’ve been phenomenal.”

A tibia injury, a suspension, and rain-intervened races have been the story for the season. Despite coming close to winning several times, a myriad of factors contributed to preventing that. Addressing the terrible run of form, the 2020 champion stated, “Last year was rough in a lot of ways, but that’s life; you learn to continue to grow and reinvent yourself in new ways.”

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“As I’ve continued down this journey, you start to experience things you’ve never experienced before and this year was one of them for me. I look at next year as an opportunity to grow and be a better driver, be a better person and come out really strong at Daytona when we start our season. This last year was one I’d like to forget.” 2024 certainly brings hopes of redemption for Chase Elliott. Moving on from a poor phase of life will be key to a good start in 2024. The Most Popular Driver of the Year award could be something to bank on as he strives for a seventh successive award and a second Cup Series title.