Ryan Blaney Accepts Chase Elliott’s Unmatched NASCAR Popularity: ‘It’s Chase’s Award to Lose’
While Ryan Blaney had a strong 2024 season, including impressive wins and solid finishes, there’s one accolade he believes is out of reach: NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award. Despite his growing fanbase, Blaney admits he doesn’t see himself dethroning Chase Elliott, who has held the title since 2018.
Blaney Bows to Elliott’s Popularity Crown
For the last seven years, Chase Elliott has been NASCAR’s undisputed fan favorite, continuing the legacy of his father, Bill Elliott, who won the award a record 16 times. Reflecting on Elliott’s dominance, Blaney acknowledged the challenge:
“I don’t know what it’s going to take, and I don’t know that it’s going to happen. When he retires, I’ll probably be retired too. It’s going to be tough to take him off the top spot.”
Blaney isn’t alone in his sentiment. Elliott’s connection with fans is deeply rooted in his family’s storied history and his own on-track success, including a 2020 Cup Series Championship with Hendrick Motorsports. His humility and relatability further cement his bond with NASCAR’s loyal followers.
At the NASCAR Awards, Elliott reflected on his fans’ unwavering support:
“I’ve never been surprised by their dedication or support. That’s something I saw firsthand with my dad’s career and now experienced myself. I don’t take it for granted.”
Elliott also attributes his enduring popularity to the values instilled by his father:
“Dad was always big on, ‘If I could make one fan’s day today, then I did a good job.’ He made me realize how important it is to leave a positive impact. It’s not about the number of times I win this award but about the way I treat people.”
The Grid Weighs In on Elliott’s Reign
While Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, and Blaney himself have cultivated their own followings, they all acknowledge the enormity of Elliott’s fanbase. Larson, Elliott’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, joked about the challenge:
“I don’t know… get more votes, I guess. He definitely has a large fanbase in NASCAR, for sure. My fanbase has grown a lot with everything I’ve done over the last couple of years, but he usually wins by quite a bit, as I understand it. You never know, though.”
Reddick added:
“Sometimes, when you’re at the race track, I think, ‘Hey, maybe there’s a chance.’ But then, the reality sets in. Right now, it’s Chase’s award to lose.”
Blaney, meanwhile, is curious to see who might succeed Elliott when the time comes:
“I’ll be really excited to see who that next guy is. I’ll have to peek my head back in to see what that is. It’ll be a huge accomplishment.”
A Legacy of Dominance: Elliotts and Earnhardts Rule the Award
The Most Popular Driver Award has historically been dominated by two iconic NASCAR families: the Elliotts and the Earnhardts. Dale Earnhardt Jr. held the title every year from 2003 until his retirement in 2017, and before him, Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Bill Elliott alternated as fan favorites for decades.
For now, it seems unlikely that anyone will dethrone Chase Elliott anytime soon. As Reddick summed up:
“If anyone has a chance, it’s Kyle [Larson] and Ryan [Blaney], but right now, it’s Chase’s award to lose.”
With his combination of talent, humility, and family legacy, Elliott’s reign as NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver looks set to continue—perhaps until the day he decides to step away from the sport.
