Who are the most popular NASCAR drivers right now

Chase Elliott remains the sport’s most popular active driver, with Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney close behind; other widely followed and frequently searched names include Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, William Byron, and Christopher Bell. Popularity is reflected by the multi-year Most Popular Driver fan vote (dominated recently by Elliott), surging merchandise sales for title contenders, social media reach, and constant television exposure and storylines.

The drivers leading the popularity race in 2025

Based on recent fan-vote history, social followings, TV relevance, Google search interest, and widely reported merchandise trends across the 2023–2024 seasons, these drivers comprise the current top tier of NASCAR popularity.

• Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports) — Multiple-time fan-vote winner (Most Popular Driver, 2018–2023), perennial merch leader, broad appeal across casual and core fans.
• Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports) — Elite on-track performance, high-profile “Double” attempt (Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600) fueled crossover attention, strong national recognition.
• Ryan Blaney (Team Penske) — 2023 Cup Series champion, expanded fanbase post-title, prominent sponsor footprint and media presence.
• Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing) — Polarizing yet highly followed; constant front-runner with a popular podcast and frequent TV storylines.
• Kyle Busch (Richard Childress Racing) — Two-time Cup champion and longtime star with one of the sport’s most loyal fanbases.
• Joey Logano (Team Penske) — Two-time Cup champion, consistent contender, top-level visibility with sponsors and broadcast features.
• Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing) — Large social-media footprint, crossover recognition beyond NASCAR, and growing competitive credentials.
• Ross Chastain (Trackhouse Racing) — Breakout name since 2022, aggressive racing style keeps him in headlines and fan debates.
• William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports) — 2024 Daytona 500 winner and multi-race winner, rising star status within a powerhouse team.
• Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing) — Clutch playoff performances and repeated Championship 4 trips have elevated his profile.

While week-to-week buzz can swing with results and rivalries, this group consistently commands attention across broadcasts, social feeds, and the merchandise trailer, forming the core of NASCAR’s current mainstream draw.

Rising and polarizing names to watch

These drivers may not lead all popularity metrics yet, but their momentum, marketability, or storylines suggest significant fan interest that could grow this season.

• Ty Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing) — Rapid improvement and a major-team platform; strong youth appeal and growing visibility.
• Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing) — Consistent speed and playoff presence, with a team and ownership group that amplify media reach.
• Noah Gragson (Stewart-Haas transition) — Big personality and engaged fanbase; competitiveness will determine staying power.
• Shane van Gisbergen (Trackhouse) — International intrigue after a stunning Cup debut win in 2023; more U.S. exposure is building recognition.
• Josh Berry (Stewart-Haas) — Grassroots credibility and strong fan goodwill; results could accelerate broader popularity.

These names benefit from compelling narratives—youthful breakthrough potential, international crossover, or outsize personalities—that often translate into spikes in search interest and social engagement as the season unfolds.

How we gauged “most popular”

Popularity in NASCAR is multidimensional. To reflect that, we considered a blend of publicly visible indicators spanning the 2023–2024 seasons and the lead-in to 2025.

1. Fan-vote history — The National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver award, with Elliott dominating since 2018.
2. Merchandise signals — Fanatics and trackside trailer chatter consistently place Elliott at or near No. 1, with Larson and Blaney among the top sellers, especially around marquee events.
3. Search and social — Google Trends and social followings highlight sustained attention for Elliott, Larson, Blaney, Hamlin, Wallace, and Busch.
4. TV exposure and storylines — Championship runs, Daytona/Indy efforts, rivalries, and team changes shape weekly visibility.
5. On-track performance — Wins, playoff runs, and big-race moments (e.g., Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600) correlate with fan interest.

No single metric tells the whole story; the clearest picture comes from aligning fan votes with cultural buzz, sales, and competitive relevance.

Context shaping 2025 fan interest

Beyond raw results, several ongoing developments are likely to influence who fans follow most closely this year.

• Title momentum — Blaney’s 2023 championship and Larson’s perennial title contention keep both drivers in front of casual audiences.
• Superteam gravity — Hendrick (Elliott, Larson, Byron) and Gibbs (Hamlin, Bell, Gibbs) concentrate star power and broadcast time.
• Driver moves and retirements — Martin Truex Jr. stepping back from full-time Cup after 2024 and the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 transition reshaped fan allegiances.
• Crossover moments — Larson’s Indy 500 participation and Trackhouse’s international reach (including van Gisbergen) broaden the audience beyond traditional NASCAR circles.
• Podcasts and personalities — Driver-owned media (e.g., Hamlin) and behind-the-scenes content deepen parasocial connections that translate into loyalty.

These forces don’t just move TV ratings; they also drive who trends on social platforms, whose die-cast sells out, and who tops fan-vote ballots at season’s end.

Summary

Right now, Chase Elliott sits atop NASCAR’s popularity hierarchy, with Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney forming a close chase pack. Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, William Byron, and Christopher Bell round out a star-laden first tier. Rising contenders like Ty Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, Noah Gragson, Shane van Gisbergen, and Josh Berry could reshape the conversation as 2025 storylines play out. Popularity remains a moving target—but sustained fan voting, consistent contention, and crossover visibility are the surest markers of who’s biggest with fans today.

Who is the #1 NASCAR driver?

Ross Lee Chastain (born December 4, 1992) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing, part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No.

Which NASCAR driver has the most fans?

NASCAR fans regularly share their voices at the end of each season when they cast their votes for the sport’s most popular driver in all three series. Chase Elliott has had a stranglehold on the award in the Cup Series, having been voted the most popular for seven consecutive years.

Who is the number one NASCAR driver right now?

There is no single #1 NASCAR driver, but the driver of the #1 car is currently Ross Chastain. In terms of the greatest driver of all time, many sources list Richard Petty due to his record 200 wins and 7 Cup Series championships. For the most popular driver, that award has gone to Chase Elliott for several years running.
 
Who is the driver of the #1 car? 

• Ross Chastain: currently drives the No. 1 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Who is the greatest NASCAR driver of all time? 

• Richard Petty: is widely considered the greatest NASCAR driver of all time, known as “The King”. He holds the record for the most wins in NASCAR history with 200 Cup Series victories, and also has seven Cup Series championships.

Who is the most popular driver? 

• Chase Elliott: has been named the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Most Popular Driver in the Cup Series for seven consecutive years, from 2018 to 2024.

Who is the most popular NASCAR driver right now?

While Chase Elliott has consistently won the fan-voted NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award, Kyle Larson is now the best-selling driver and is considered by many to be the sport’s emerging fan favorite, suggesting a potential shift in overall popularity. Factors like merchandise sales and social media presence are key indicators of popularity, and while Elliott maintains his official award, Larson’s increased merchandise sales suggest a surge in his fan base.
 
Chase Elliott’s Continued Popularity

• Most Popular Driver Award: Opens in new tabChase Elliott is the reigning NASCAR Most Popular Driver, having won the award for seven consecutive years. 
• Established Fan Base: Opens in new tabHe has a strong, dedicated fanbase that actively votes in the fan polls, which contributes to his continued popularity despite perceived shifts in other popularity metrics. 

Kyle Larson’s Rising Popularity

• Best-Selling Driver: As of the halfway point of the 2025 season, Kyle Larson has taken the title of the best-selling driver in NASCAR, a significant indicator of fan engagement. 
• Merchandise Sales: The surge in Larson’s merchandise sales is seen as evidence of a growing and more vocal fan base, challenging Elliott’s long-held dominance. 

Factors in Determining Popularity

• Fan Votes: The official Most Popular Driver award relies on fan voting. 
• Merchandise Sales: Sales of driver-branded merchandise are a key indicator of fan engagement and overall popularity. 
• Social Media Presence: Social media platforms also play a role in gauging a driver’s popularity and influence.