Chase Elliott removed his name from the 2026 Most Popular Driver ballot. He ended an eight-year winning run on purpose.
Elliott wants the award to go to Kyle Busch. The two-time champion died in May.
The press association opened fan voting on Friday morning. Elliott's name was missing from the ballot.
Elliott won the award every year from 2018 to 2025. He first won it after Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired.
Elliott said in May he was in extreme favor of Busch winning the vote. He said Busch poured his life into the sport.
His father Bill Elliott did the same in 2001 after Dale Earnhardt died. Earnhardt was then voted the winner.
For the first time in 36 years, neither an Elliott nor an Earnhardt will win. Darrell Waltrip was the last outsider in 1990.
One vote per ballot, five ballots a day per email. Vote at NASCAR.com or on the NASCAR Mobile App.
Voting closes at noon ET on Monday, November 9. The winner is named on November 10 in Miami.
Busch stays on the ballot with 34 other Cup drivers. He won two championships but never this award.
This is the only major NASCAR award picked fully by fans. No judges, no points, just votes.
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