Chase Elliott has been officially awarded NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award for 2024. As NASCAR celebrates its 2024 season, the award was presented at a banquet in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired in 2017, he’s been the only winner for seven straight seasons.

In the past 17 years, Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won the award, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning from 2008 to 2017 and Elliott winning since then. Only one driver not named Elliott or Earnhardt has won the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award in the past 40 years. It was Darrell Waltrip in 1989 and 1990. Bill Elliott, Chase’s father, holds the record with 16 wins. Dale Earnhardt Jr. followed closely with 15, all in a row, while Dale Earnhardt Sr. was honored posthumously in 2001.

The award went to Eliott after he had a better year at Hendrick Motorsports. Despite falling short of making the Championship 4, the No. 9 driver was about 20 laps away from being eliminated in the Round of 8. A seventh-place finish in the point standings for Elliott in the 2024 NASCAR season followed by a win, 11 top-5 finishes, 19 top-10 finishes, and 19 top-10 finishes.

Elliot went to the award ceremony with his rumored girlfriend, Ashley Anderson. In regards to getting dressed up for the NASCAR Awards Ceremony, Chase Elliott’s date Ashley Anderson voiced her feelings. Ashley is rumored to be Hendrick Motorsports driver’s girlfriend since their appearances became prominent around March. Ashley posted images on Instagram with Chase Elliott on Saturday, November 23 after the Awards Ceremony, expressing her feelings with the caption, “Got dressed up and went somewhere.“

Several drivers were accompanied by their wives or girlfriends but Elliott rocked the ceremony with Ashley Anderson. Their relationship has been rumored since the 2020 Cup Series champion broke up with Kaylie Greene. Despite the speculation, there is no concrete evidence proving Elliott and Anderson are dating.

And what better way to celebrate his achievements? One week in, the ‘popular driver’ completes his 28 on the 28th. And to make things even more special, it’s also Thanksgiving. Hendrick Motorsports took to X to wish Chase Elliot with a post that was captioned, “Happy birthday @chaseelliott!” The HMS driver turns 29 and fans can’t help feeling excited!

A double celebration for Chase Elliott fans on his birthday and Thanksgiving

Chase Elliott’s birthday, coinciding with Thanksgiving Day this year made it the perfect occasion for fans and the HMS driver to celebrate. The unique overlap of his birthday and the holiday brings an extra dose of cheer as the festive season begins. Adding a touch of playful envy, one fan said, “Lucky guy. Gets free food and free presents today.” The spirit of Thanksgiving makes Chase’s special day even more special. Lucky for Chase Eliott, he gets to enjoy his favorite Thanksgiving dishes, cranberry sauce, dressing, and mashed potatoes, on his birthday!

There’s no denying that fans see potential in the HMS driver. In assessing his own 2024 NASCAR season, Chase Elliott rated himself somewhere between a B and a B-plus. “I’m trying to grade that really honestly,” he said, looking back on the season. The progress Elliott made this year was not just about numbers, but about his personal growth, as well as that of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team. Fans recognize this, so one cheered him on with a heartfelt, “Happy Birthday Chase! All the best in 2025!” 

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2024 wasn’t a bad year in terms of numbers for Chase Elliott. Overall, he finished 7th in the Cup Series leaderboard with a win in Texas. While he didn’t finish in first place again, his season was filled with Top-10 and Top-5 finishes. What better way then for Elliott to round out the NASCAR season with his birthday and Thanksgiving on the same day. There were many well wishes for Elliott because of the coincidence of his birthday and Thanksgiving. “Happy Thanksgiving,” one fan wrote. It’s not just a holiday celebration, but a chance to thank the driver they love.

There are fans who celebrate Elliott’s birthday and other significant events in their lives. One fan, excited by the dual celebration, remarked, “Same as my Wedding Anniversary Happy Birthday Champ!!! That shows how meaningful Chase’s birthday is to fans who feel connected to him in unique ways.