Kyle Busch wins NASCAR Cup Most Popular Driver Award posthumously
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Nov 11, 2026, 1:13 AM
Last updated Nov 11, 2026
Kyle Busch has been named the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver. His wife, Samantha, accepted the award on his behalf at a banquet following his death due to pneumonia complications. Busch becomes just the second driver, after Dale Earnhardt, to win this award posthumously. The voting was heavily influenced by fellow driver Chase Elliott, who withdrew from consideration to support Busch. This award marks the first time since 1990 that a driver other than Elliott or Earnhardt has received this honor.
- •Busch is the second posthumous recipient of the Most Popular Driver Award.
- •Samantha Busch accepted the award on November 10, 2026.
- •This is the first time since 1990 that someone other than Elliott or Earnhardt has won.
- •Chase Elliott withdrew from the voting to aid Busch's chances.
- •Busch won a record 234 races across all national divisions.
- 1:13 AMMotorsport.com — Samantha Busch full speech as she accepts Kyle Busch's Most Popular Driver award
- 12:47 AMYahoo Sports — Kyle Busch posthumously wins NASCAR Cup Most Popular Driver Award
- 12:47 AMMotorsport.com — Kyle Busch posthumously wins NASCAR Cup Most Popular Driver Award
"Kyle Busch is the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver, joining Dale Earnhardt as the only drivers to ever win the award posthumously. Chase Elliott had won the award every year between 2018 and 2025, but withdrew his name from consideration and urged his fans to vote for Kyle this season. On the red carpet for the NASCAR Award's banquet in Miami, his wife Samantha spoke about just how ...Keep reading
"Kyle Busch is the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver, becoming just the second driver to ever win the award posthumously, joining fellow Richard Childress Racing driver and seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, who won the award after his death in a crash at the end of the 2001 Daytona 500. Busch's wife Samantha attended the banquet and accepted the award on his behalf. Following ...Keep reading
"Busch is the first driver not named Elliott or Earnhardt to win the award since Darrell Waltrip in 1990
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comNov 11, 2026, 1:13 AMSamantha Busch full speech as she accepts Kyle Busch's Most Popular Driver award
Kyle Busch is the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver, joining Dale Earnhardt as the only drivers to ever win the award posthumously. Chase Elliott had won the award every year between 2018 and 2025, but withdrew his name from consideration and urged his fans to vote for Kyle this season. On the red carpet for the NASCAR Award's banquet in Miami, his wife Samantha spoke about just how ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsNov 11, 2026, 12:47 AMKyle Busch posthumously wins NASCAR Cup Most Popular Driver Award
Busch is the first driver not named Elliott or Earnhardt to win the award since Darrell Waltrip in 1990
- Motorsport.comNov 11, 2026, 12:47 AMKyle Busch posthumously wins NASCAR Cup Most Popular Driver Award
Kyle Busch is the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver, becoming just the second driver to ever win the award posthumously, joining fellow Richard Childress Racing driver and seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, who won the award after his death in a crash at the end of the 2001 Daytona 500. Busch's wife Samantha attended the banquet and accepted the award on his behalf. Following ...Keep reading
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