NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award
NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award is awarded to the most popular NASCAR driver in the Sprint Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Camping World Truck Series every year since 1956. It started as a poll of the drivers and then all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competitors. Today it is voted for by fans across the United States.
The award is presented by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). Sponsored by Hamburger Helper in 2010, it was also sponsored by Wheaties in 2011. The ceremony presenting the award is called the Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast, and it is held in Las Vegas, Nevada in December of each year.
The winner of the most awards is Bill Elliott with 16 in the Sprint Cup Series. Kenny Wallace and Brad Keselowski are tied at 3 for the most awards in the Nationwide Series, and Johnny Benson Jr. has the most awards at 3 in the Camping World Truck Series.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the active Sprint Cup drivers with the most awards as well as holding the longest active streak (14).[1]
Recipients
Sprint Cup Series
Xfinity Series
Camping World Truck Series
Year | Driver | Team | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1995 | Butch Miller | Liberty Racing | |
1996 | Jimmy Hensley | Grandaddy Racing | |
1997 | Ron Hornaday Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | |
1998 | Stacy Compton | Impact Motorsports | |
1999 | Dennis Setzer | K Automotive Racing | |
2000 | Greg Biffle | Roush Racing | Won the series championship |
2001 | Joe Ruttman | Bobby Hamilton Racing | |
2002 | David Starr | Spears Motorsports | |
2003 | Brendan Gaughan | Orleans Racing | |
2004 | Steve Park | ||
2005 | Ron Hornaday Jr. | Kevin Harvick Incorporated | |
2006 | Johnny Benson Jr. | Bill Davis Racing | |
2007 | |||
2008 | Won the series championship | ||
2009 | Ricky Carmichael | Kevin Harvick Incorporated, Turner Motorsports | |
2010 | Narain Karthikeyan | Wyler Racing | The first non-American driver to win the award |
2011 | Austin Dillon | Richard Childress Racing | Won the series championship |
2012 | Nelson Piquet Jr. | Turner Motorsports | |
2013 | Ty Dillon | Richard Childress Racing | |
2014 | Ryan Blaney | Brad Keselowski Racing | |
2015 | John Hunter Nemechek | SWM-NEMCO Motorsports | |
2016 | Tyler Reddick | Brad Keselowski Racing |
Mexico Series
Year | Driver | Team | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Jorge Arteaga | FCV Racing | |
2010 | |||
2011 | |||
2012 | Pepe Montaño | ||
2013 | |||
2014 | Rodrigo Marbán | Patricia Marbán | |
2015 |
References
- ^ Wilhelm, Chase (December 2, 2016). "Dale Jr. wins NASCAR's Most Popular Driver, reveals wedding date". Foxsports.com. Retrieved December 2, 2016.