Kevin Harvick asserts Kyle Larson has dethroned Chase Elliott as the “Most Popular Driver currently”

Ex-Cup champion Kevin Harvick has put an end to the Popular Driver debate involving Kyle Parson and Chase Elliott of HMS.

Kevin Harvick asserts Kyle Larson has dethroned Chase Elliott as the “Most Popular Driver currently”

Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick (In Circle) and Kyle Larson (Via IMAGO)

Hendrick Motorsports Chase Elliott has won the Most Popular Driver Awards since Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s retirement from the sport. No driver has come close to overthrowing him from the crown, because of his passionate fans base as well as the legacy fans he inherited from his NASCAR champion father Bill Elliott.

Now 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick has come forth explaining why Chase Elliott is no longer the most popular on the grid. He pointed out that though the No:9 Hendrick Motorsports driver is strong candidate this season, he has strong competition from his teammate and 2020 Cup champion Kyle Larson.

YouTube video
Now that I’ve been watching the races as a fan and also having to watch the races so I can do my job currently sitting in this studio. I look at the Most Popular Driver as an interesting debate right now. Because you have Chase Elliott who has won the trophy for however many years, he has won on the race track this year and I think that helps a lot. I think that when you look at the other side of that, you’ve got Kyle Larson
Kevin Harvick said via Happy Hour Podcast.

The ex-SHR driver highlighted how Kyle Larson has been engaging with fans every week despite his busy racing schedule unlike Elliott. He asserted that if the award was given based on how both drivers are shown on TV, then Larson is currently winning the battle.

FS Video
Kyle Larson is at every short track, races every week, he’s engaged with the fans after the races. He’s doing those things. I feel like if it was invoked from what you were seeing on TV, Kyle Larson wins that Most Popular Driver battle currently.
Kevin Harvick added.
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Kevin Harvick’s preceptive changed after watching the race on TV

Since his retirement from the sport in 2023, Harvick perspective of NASCAR changed. He is now approaching the sport more like a fan. Harvick pointed out that sitting in the studio and watching the races on TV, unlike the past when he was a driver, gives him a whole new outlook.

Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick (Via IMAGO)
I look at our sport right now and it’s been much different for me kind of looking at it. I’ve always tried to look at it from a broad perspective like you said earlier. I think TV, sitting in that TV booth and sitting in those meetings so early on while I was still driving. Having all the things that happened with the driver council, it gives you a much different perspective.
Kevin Harvick said.

The veteran is enjoying his time off the race track as a fan and that’s the best life a retired driver could ask for. This change is also being reflected on his onions and it would reflect more once he has more experience as a broadcaster/fan.

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