NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award is the sport’s love letter to its fans, a tradition since 1956 that lets the NASCAR community crown its favorite driver. Handed out by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), it’s a nod to the driver who sparks the loudest cheers, whether through on-track heroics or off-track charm.

Bill Elliott set the bar with 16 wins, while his son Chase Elliott kept the family legacy alive with seven straight titles through 2024. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 15-year reign from 2003 to 2017 still looms large. Once a driver poll, it’s now a fan-driven vote, amplifying the sport’s push for engagement but also stirring debates about legacy names swaying ballots. Still, it’s a feel-good moment that celebrates the bond between drivers and the fans who pack the stands.

Voting Guide

Want to make your voice heard? Here’s the deal for the 2025 NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award. Voting kicks off at 12:00 PM ET on October 6, 2025, and runs through 12:00 PM ET on November 3, 2025. Head to www.nascar.com/mostpopulardriver, pick your driver, and hit submit. Easy, right? But there’s a catch. Only NASCAR Cup Series drivers eligible for championship points in 2025 can get your vote. The NMPA gets the final say on who’s in the running, so no write-ins for your favorite Truck Series underdog.

You can vote up to five times per day per email address, from midnight to 11:59 PM ET. Try to game the system with multiple emails or bots, and your votes might get tossed. Each vote counts as one ballot, so choose wisely. If you’re a NASCAR Fan Rewards member, your first vote scores 25 points, a nice perk for joining the club. No prizes for voting, though the real reward is seeing your driver’s name in lights. Results drop on or about November 4, 2025, with the driver racking up the most votes, taking home the crown. Get clicking, but keep it legit.

Favorites

Chase Elliott’s the name to beat. In 2024, he snagged his seventh straight Most Popular Driver Award with a whopping 266,363 votes, leaving Hendrick teammate Kyle Larson and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney in the dust. That win stretched Hendrick’s grip on the award to 17 years, dating back to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 2008-2017 run.

Elliott’s mix of on-track grit, think his 2025 Darlington near-miss with 243 laps led, and his quiet, relatable vibe keeps fans roaring. He’s the guy you’d grab a beer with, and voters can’t get enough.

Justin Allgaier’s another fan magnet, locking down the Xfinity Series’ Most Popular Driver Award. His steady runs and knack for connecting with fans, whether through social media or post-race chats, have made him a staple. Allgaier’s consistency, with 12 top-5s in 2025, keeps him in the spotlight, and his down-to-earth charm seals the deal.

In the Craftsman Truck Series, Rajah Caruth stole the show as the Most Popular Driver. His breakout season and fan-first approach, think meet-and-greets and X banter, have turned heads, proving the Truck Series can birth stars too.

Wild Cards

While Chase and company dominate, a few wild cards are shaking up the Most Popular Driver race. Shane van Gisbergen is the new kid turning heads. The Kiwi road-course wizard stunned with his third win of 2025 at Sonoma’s Toyota/SaveMart 350, mastering the Roval and other twisty tracks.

His bold driving and fresh face, paired with Trackhouse’s hype, have fans buzzing. SVG’s not just a contender. He’s a vibe, pulling in votes from those craving something new.

Noah Gragson is another name to watch. A fan favorite from his Xfinity days, Gragson’s Cup Series move has kept eyes on him. His scrappy style and off-track charisma, think post-race selfies and X clapbacks, make him a dark horse. Fans love his hustle, and his 2025 top-10s show he’s no fluke.

Rajah Caruth doubles down as a wild card, too. His Truck Series Most Popular Driver win isn’t a one-off. His growing Cup Series presence and knack for fan connection hint at a bigger stage. These underdogs, from SVG’s road-course flair to Gragson’s grit and Caruth’s charm, could steal votes from the usual suspects, making this year’s race a nail-biter.