Dale Earnhardt Jr. Brutally Shuts Down NASCAR Fans Banking on Carson Hocevar to Dethrone Chase Elliott in MPD Votes

Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott has been winning the NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver Award for the last eight year consecutively, despite the likes of Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson rallying up their supporters to dethrone the No:9 Chevy driver. Some thinks that the 2020 champion’s domination is coming to an end with Carson Hocevar on the rise and that got the attention of Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The Spire Motorsport driver is quickly becoming fan favorite with his maiden cup win at Talladega, unique personality and even the most recent met gala appearance earning him more support. His friendship with YouTuber turned racer Cleetus McFarland is also getting him attention from casual supporters outside the sport.

Recently a fan discussed the possibility of Carson Hocevar winning the popular driver award over Chase Elliott due to the support he has from McFarland. Dale Eranhardt Jr. doesn’t think that would happen that easy and pointed out that the No:77 Chevy driver would need to invest some big sum into a social media campaign to do that.

r/NASCAR on Reddit: Can Hocevar win most popular driver with Cleetus backing him?

Dale Jr: Cleatus would have to campaign on social daily to make it competitive.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrote on X.

I won it 15 times and have a pretty solid understanding of how it works.

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 7, 2026

This didn’t sit well with a fan, who thoughts the Hall of Famer was disrespecting McFarland and Hocevar. Junior had the coldest response to the person, as he reminded the fan he has 15 Most Popular driver Awards, the second most in history behind Elliott’s father Bill Elliott who won it 16 times, back home with him and he knows what he is talking about it.  

Fan: You don’t know that…You’re just dismissing him and it’s clear the disrespect you have based on the way you spelled Cleetus wrong on purpose…I’ll reiterate that u don’t know bc the numbers ain’t released publicly…Unless, they’re released to you?? Is that what you’re saying?

Dale Jr: I won it 15 times and have a pretty solid understanding of how it works.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. on X.

I won it 15 times and have a pretty solid understanding of how it works.

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 7, 2026

Dale Earnhardt Jr. questioned about potential Met Gala appearance

On their podcast, Dale Jr.’s wife Amy asked the two times second division champion about they pottentilaly going to the Met Gala like Carson Hocevar.  He initially didn’t answer the question, but then shared what he would wear for the event and that was enough for his wife to close the conversation.

Dale Jr: Can we go to the next question?… Sure. I’ll just wear my old driving suit. Why not? Maybe I could take one of my old suits, my old driving suits, and turn it into a suit.

Amy: Okay, now I don’t want you to go.

Dale and Amy Earnhardt via Bless Your Hardt podcast.

The comments from the duo were hilarious and shows the positive dynamic in the duo. It would be interesting to see if the Earnhardt couple would ever get their Gala invite and how it would playout for them.

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