Chase Elliott has withdrawn his name from the ballot for NASCAR's 2026 Most Popular Driver award.
On May 30, Elliott stated he wants Kyle Busch to win the award posthumously.
What happened?
Chase Elliott made this decision after Kyle Busch's death on May 21.
Why it matters for Chase Elliott
Elliott thinks Kyle Busch deserves the award due to his career and fan base.
Chase Elliott expressed his thoughts on May 30 during a NASCAR media session at Nashville Superspeedway.
He said Kyle Busch had a lot of fans over the course of his career.
What comes next?
The NASCAR Most Popular Driver award will still be given out, with Kyle Busch now a potential winner.
The award decision will be made at a later date.
Chase Elliott's decision to withdraw from the award was made to honor Kyle Busch's memory.
On May 30, Elliott doubled down on his decision during the media session.
The Sports Illustrated Resorts 250 took place at Nashville Superspeedway.
Chase Elliott participated in the event, discussing Kyle Busch's award prospects.
Kyle Busch died on May 21, and the NASCAR community has been reacting to his death.
Chase Elliott's decision to withdraw from the award is a tribute to Kyle Busch's career.
The NASCAR Most Popular Driver award is given annually to the most popular driver.
Chase Elliott's withdrawal from the award increases Kyle Busch's chances of winning.
Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch were both prominent figures in NASCAR.
Their careers and interactions have been closely followed by fans and the media.
The decision to withdraw from the award was made by Chase Elliott on May 30.
He believes Kyle Busch deserves the award for his contributions to NASCAR.