Dale Earnhardt Jr. is gone, so who will be the most popular NASCAR driver?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is gone, so who will be the most popular driver in NASCAR?

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 20: Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 Mountain Dew Chevrolet, Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, Ryan Blaney, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, and Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Haas Automation Ford, pose with their trophies after qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) /

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HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 19: Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 NAPA Chevrolet, greets fans during driver introductions for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2017 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) /

1. Chase Elliott

It’s important to remember that before everyone knew Dale Earnhardt Jr. would be a fitting ambassador for all of NASCAR, lots of people pulled for him strictly because of his legendary dad. That being the case, Chase Elliott has a leg up on everyone else simply because his father Bill Elliott owned the Most Popular Driver award before Junior came along.

In 2018, Chase Elliott will have even more going for him. He’s switching over to the No. 9 made famous by Awesome Bill from Dawsonville, a move that will certainly sell a ton of merchandise and inspire tons of goodwill. He’s still driving for Hendrick Motorsports, one of the most prestigious teams in NASCAR, and will also have Chevy fans in general cheering him on since Chevrolet was shut out of this year’s Championship 4.

Next: Dale Earnhardt Jr. tells his fans who they should root for in 2018

And after a heartbreaking string of second-place finishes in 2017, Elliott will be even more desperate to grab that first Cup Series victory. When he pulls it off, it’s bound to be the most popular win since the last time Earnhardt Jr. made it to the winner’s circle.

Probably even good enough to earn him some more Most Popular Driver votes. After 15 years in Junior Nation, expect the award to return to the Elliott family, a place it will feel right at home.

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