On an evening where the spotlight shone brightly on racing’s finest, the 2023 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters saw familiar faces bask in well-deserved acclaim. The prestigious ceremony, held at the NASCAR Awards banquet in Nashville, Tennessee, was a showcase of talent and popularity in the world of motorsports.
Chase Elliott, a name synonymous with skill in the NASCAR Cup Series, once again captured the hearts of fans, clinching the Most Popular Driver Award. This accolade is a testament to his remarkable presence on the track and his unwavering connection with the racing community.
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the honor was bestowed upon Justin Allgaier, known for his competitive spirit and consistent performances. Allgaier’s popularity among fans is reflective of his dedication to the sport and his ability to engage the NASCAR audience.
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The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series saw the rising star Hailie Deegan receive the Most Popular Driver Award, a significant recognition of her growing influence and impressive skillset in the racing world. Deegan’s achievement highlights her status as a formidable competitor and a fan favorite in the truck series.
Elliott has earned this achievement for six years in a row, and gets to boast about being one of only a handful of Cup drivers to receive this honor five times or more. He’s now in the legendary ranks which include popular drivers such as Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and his father Bill Elliott. Not too shabby!
“I don’t ever take it for granted,” Elliott said while accepting the award. “You know, I think it’s an easy thing to look at and to think that I would, but always grateful for the honor and always, always grateful to have the support that we’ve had. Like I said on stage, this has always been, to me, an extension of my family’s place in the sport and the success that they had over the years.
“The fans have been great to all of us, not just myself but my entire family. So that’s kind of how I look at it and certainly respect it and appreciate all that they do for me, and I’m looking forward to seeing folks back on the road next year.”
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Justin Allgaier reclaimed the Most Popular Driver award in the Xfinity circuit for 2023, a title he held from 2019 to 2021 before Noah Gragson’s win in 2022. This triumph marks a notable streak for JR Motorsports, with a pilot from their team winning the award in the Xfinity Series for 12 consecutive years.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Hailie Deegan impressively secured her third consecutive Most Popular Driver award in the Truck Series, maintaining her status as the first woman to win this honor in the Truck Series since 2021 and the second woman ever, following Danica Patrick’s achievement in the Xfinity Series in 2012.
