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Busch Honored Posthumously: Most Popular Driver Award
11 Nov
Summary
- Kyle Busch posthumously received NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award.
- His widow accepted the award six months after his unexpected death.
- Chase Elliott withdrew from the ballot to honor Busch's legacy.
Kyle Busch, the two-time Cup Series champion, has been posthumously awarded NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award. This prestigious honor, determined by fan votes and presented by the National Motorsports Press Association, was accepted by his widow, Samantha Busch, at the season-ending awards ceremony on Tuesday. Busch passed away unexpectedly on May 21 at the age of 41.
NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell acknowledged Busch's indelible impact on the sport, assuring Samantha and their children, Brexton and Lennix, that they would forever remain a part of the NASCAR family. Busch, who holds the record for most wins across NASCAR's national series, succumbed to complications from severe pneumonia and sepsis.
The racing community and fans widely mourned Busch throughout the season. In a notable display of sportsmanship, Chase Elliott, an eight-time winner of the award, withdrew himself from contention. He had previously stated his intention to encourage his supporters to vote for Busch, honoring a legacy of rivalry and respect, akin to a similar gesture by his father, Bill Elliott, in 2001.
