Chase Elliott opts out of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award consideration for Kyle Busch

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Perennial winner Chase Elliott has opted to remove his name from consideration for NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award out of respect for the late Kyle Busch.

The National Motorsports Press Association announced the start of voting and Elliott’s choice not to be considered.

Busch died in May after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming complications. His death stunned the NASCAR community and beyond.

Elliott has won the award every year since 2018 after Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the choice 15 consecutive times before retiring. Elliott’s father, Bill, was voted the most popular driver a record 16 times.

Voting runs from Friday through Nov. 9, the day after the Cup Series season finale, with the winner revealed Nov. 10.

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