It's that time of year again, NASCAR fans – the moment when your voice truly matters. Who will claim the title of the Most Popular Driver? The National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) has officially opened voting for the 2025 Most Popular Driver Award, and the race is on! But here's where it gets exciting: you get to decide who takes home the honor. Voting is live now, and fans can cast their ballots up to five times per day per unique email address until Monday, November 3. Whether your favorite competes in the Craftsman Truck Series, Xfinity Series, or Cup Series, this is your chance to make their popularity official. And this is the part most people miss: only drivers who have declared for points in their respective series are eligible, so don’t expect to see Kyle Busch vying for the Xfinity Series title while he’s a full-time Cup Series competitor.
The history of this award is as rich as NASCAR itself. Curtis Turner kicked things off in 1949 as the first-ever Most Popular Driver, but it’s Bill Elliott who holds the record with an astonishing 16 wins. Dale Earnhardt Jr., a Hall of Famer, isn’t far behind with 15 victories. Speaking of legacies, Chase Elliott has dominated the Cup Series category since 2018, following in the footsteps of Earnhardt Jr. after his retirement. Will he continue his streak this year? Or will a new favorite emerge? That’s for you to decide.
In the Xfinity Series, Justin Allgaier has been a fan favorite, winning the award five times since 2019, including last season when he also clinched his first championship. The only driver to break his streak? Noah Gragson in 2022. Meanwhile, in the Craftsman Truck Series, Rajah Caruth made history last year by winning his first Most Popular Driver Award with Spire Motorsports. And let’s not forget Hailie Deegan, who snagged the title three times between 2021 and 2023, even while competing in the Indy NXT Series.
Here’s the twist: NASCAR won’t reveal the winners until the championship banquet on November 4. However, they’ll keep the excitement alive by announcing the top 10 in each series on October 15, followed by the top five on October 22. Who do you think will make the cut?
But here’s the controversial question: Does the Most Popular Driver Award truly reflect fan loyalty, or is it influenced by factors like media coverage and team sponsorship? Is it fair that drivers like Kyle Busch can’t compete in a series they don’t declare for points in? We want to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment below and let’s spark a debate. After all, NASCAR isn’t just about the races – it’s about the stories, the rivalries, and the fans who keep the sport alive. So, who’s getting your vote? The countdown is on!
