NASCAR’s ex-villain Kyle Busch joins Chase Elliott in season-end shortlist for yearly honor 

Former Cup Series champion Kyle Busch is one of the top five vote-getters for the 2024 Most Popular Driver Award in the series, as per a recent post by NASCAR on X. Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott, who has previously defended the title for six consecutive years (2018 to 2023), is also on the list.

Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2015 and 2019. From 2015 to 2019, he qualified for the coveted championship race every single year. Standing tall at 63 wins, Busch is the winningest driver at the Cup level. Furthermore, he holds the record for most wins in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series (102) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (66).

Known for his steadfast attitude on the track, Busch flaunts a combined 231 wins across all three NASCAR national series, including victories in the crown jewel Southern 500 and Coca-Cola 600. Besides that, he won the Xfinity Series Championship in 2009 and was named the Cup Series Regular Season Champion in 2018 and 2019.

Busch currently drives the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing, a team known for fielding legendary drivers like Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Sr. in the past. If he wins the Most Popular Driver Award this year, it will be a career-first for the Las Vegas native.

2024 has been anything but a stellar season for the two-time Cup Series champion. The last time he won a race was on June 4, 2023, at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Busch even broke his streak of winning at least one race every season for the past 19 years. In a recent post on X, he wrote,

"Arguably the toughest year of my career. Full of trials, n heartbreaks. I know my RCR guys r gonna get after it this winter n we’ll come back stronger nxt season. Grateful for all of our partners, helping us do what we love. Thx Rowdy Nation for sticking w me. Y’all r the best."

“The Cup season may be over, but the racing season is still in full swing”- Kyle Busch picks Chili Bowl from racing wish list

The Cup Series is officially over with NASCAR crowning Team Penske driver Joey Logano as the 2024 champion. Kyle Busch finished the season 20th on points.

To this day, fans have witnessed Kyle Busch’s son Brexton racing quarter midgets. For the man himself, it’s going to be the first time behind the wheel of a midget. There’s a first time for everything and Busch hopes he doesn’t embarrass himself.

“The Cup season may be over, but the racing season is still in full swing with the biggest events on dirt taking place over the next couple of months,” Kyle Busch said of the upcoming event (via NBC).“The Chili Bowl is a legendary event and has always been on my wish list. To be able to compete there, and then alongside my son Brexton at the Tulsa Shootout, is making this year one to remember.”

Before making his debut in the prestigious event, Busch will compete in the USAC events at Bakersfield Speedway on November 26, 2024, and Ventura Raceway on November 30, 2024.