When it comes to the NASCAR Cup Series’ Most Popular Driver, Kevin Harvick isn’t certain Chase Elliott deserves the honor.
Elliott has won the official vote year after year since 2018. Is someone else more popular? Kevin Harvick is here to point out that Chase Elliott may not have the most fans. Not when he has a teammate named Kyle Larson, who can race and win in practically any car he drives.
Following the Michigan race, Harvick discussed the Most Popular Driver topic on his podcast. “When I look at our sport right now, it looks really different to me. I’ve always tried to look at things from a broad perspective, as you mentioned earlier.
I recall being in that TV booth and attending those meetings so early on while I was still driving. With all that transpired with the driving council, you get a very different perspective.
“Now that I’ve been watching the races as a fan as well as having to watch the races for work, I’m sitting in this studio. I think the Most Popular Driver is an interesting argument right now. Because Chase Elliott, who has won the trophy for however many years, won on the race track this year, which I believe helps a lot. I believe Kyle Larson is on the other side of that.
Kyle Larson attends every short track event every week and interacts with the spectators after the races. He is doing those things. I believe Kyle Larson is currently the most popular driver, based on what you saw on TV.
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Kevin Harvick makes an excellent point. Larson has transcended NASCAR. He has fans at all levels. Chase Elliott has the pedigree—he’s Awesome Bill’s boy—but he’s limited. He does not appreciate celebrity.
Elliott prefers to show up on Sundays, do his job, and then leave. Kyle Larson is unique. He flies across the country to compete in a sprint car race. We can’t ignore his Indy 500 experience either. That performance undoubtedly garnered him additional fans.
Initially, NASCAR fans will react negatively to this. Elliott has earned that reaction because he has dominated the fan vote. But is Kevin Harvick correct?
