Fans Question Legitimacy of NASCAR’s MFD Award

^{Nov 23, 2024 | Edition #101}

👋 Dear Motorheads,

It is that time of the year when the drivers ditch their firesuits to put on those fancy tuxes for the NASCAR year-end awards.
In case you missed it, the ceremony took place this Friday. But just like everything else in NASCAR, it wasn't without its fair share of controversy.

Today, We’ll Uncover the Following Stories From the NASCAR Universe:

😡 NASCAR Award Ceremony Riled Up Fans

🏆 Throwback to the Best Moments From the Awards

⚖️ MJ vs. NASCAR Case Gets a Big Update

✍️ 23XI Racing Signs Third Driver

🌪️ Cause for Controversy

NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Gets Jeers, Not Cheers

The checkered flag may have dropped on the 2024 NASCAR season, but the celebrations are far from over. This past Friday, NASCAR held its annual awards ceremony in Charlotte. So for you all who didn’t have their eyes glued to their phones, there was a bit of a twist this year.

Apparently, NASCAR only streamed the red carpet event live on YouTube and their website. But don’t worry, the Lucky Dog has all the updates on the big winners, with the full broadcast set to air on The CW Network this Sunday at 3 PM ET.

So, who’s basking in the post-season spotlight? In a move that was pretty expected, Chase Elliott extended his reign as NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver. That’s right, for the seventh year in a row, Elliott took home the fan-voted title, continuing his streak as the fan favorite in the NASCAR Cup Series. 

On the red carpet, he reflected on the honor, saying, "Look, it's never something I take for granted. The support from the fans, year after year, means the absolute world to me. It’s pretty darn special."

While Elliott’s victory lap might be smooth sailing, not everyone’s cheering. Social media has been buzzing with fans, suggesting it’s time for a new face to be at the top of the ‘Most Popular Driver’ podium. Of course, one could argue that popularity is what this award is about because the 266,363 people who voted for Elliott do seem happy.

The thing is, the Most Popular Driver award doesn’t always line up with stats or championships. In addition to that, the Elliott family has always had a huge following. Bill Elliott, Chase’s father, won the award 16 times, even though he just lifted the Cup championship once. Same is the case for Dale Earnhardt Jr, who won the award 15 times, with no Cup Championships.

Speaking more on the MPD award, congratulations are also in order for Justin Allgaier, who secured the Xfinity Series Most Popular Driver crown. For Allgaier, it's probably the story of finally breaking the Denny Hamlin curse (winning the NASCAR Championship after 14 long years) that earned him the title. On the Camping World Truck Series front, it was Rajah Caruth who earned the Most Popular Driver trophy.

We’ll get the full picture on Sunday, with more winners and emotional speeches coming our way. But for now, one thing’s for sure: NASCAR’s party is still going strong. And we hope the drama will keep buzzing until the engines fire up again next season.

Continue Reading: Fans Call Out Chase Elliott’s 7th Consecutive MPD Award

🏁 Lucky Dog’s Quick Poll 🏁

🫶 The Pit Stop

Get Back to Living Pain-Free with BraceAbility

After years of cheering for your favorite NASCAR driver, you know the rush of every lap, every turn, and every finish line. But when pain starts holding you back, it’s like being stuck in the pit instead of racing toward the checkered flag.

BraceAbility is here to change that. Like a finely tuned engine, our partner’s orthopedic braces are built to get you moving again—whether it’s joint pain, injury recovery, or chronic discomfort. Trusted by thousands, their braces deliver the support you need to keep up with life’s race.

Don’t let pain put you in the rearview mirror. Shop now and reclaim the freedom to enjoy every moment—because you deserve to be in the driver’s seat, pain-free.

🗝️ From the Vault

Looking Back at NASCAR Award’s Most Iconic Moments

Let's face it. The NASCAR Awards Ceremony is way more than just a bunch of folks in fancy clothes handing out trophies. They're a time for laughs, tears, and some truly unforgettable moments. So, keeping the same spirit, the Lucky Dog has scoured the archives and come up with the top five moments from the past award ceremonies.

#5 Tony Stewart’s Retirement Surprise

Tony Stewart’s 2016 retirement ceremony was filled with surprises. The biggest came when famed singer Eddie Vedder took the stage to honor Stewart. The two shared a heartfelt moment as Stewart got emotional in the crowd. 

As the veteran joined Edder on the stage, Rick Hendrick had another surprise in store. He announced a $1.8 million donation to the non-profit EB Research Partnership, a cause close to Vedder’s heart, in Stewart’s name. Seeing it all unfold, the crowd cheered with a standing ovation, making it a fitting send-off for Stewart after his long career in NASCAR.

#4 Chase Elliott’s Champion Attire

Though Chase Elliott didn’t win the 2021 championship, he certainly looked the part at the NASCAR Awards in Nashville. Dressed in a stylish hat and exuding confidence, Elliott turned heads on the red carpet, sparking conversation among fans and fellow drivers. Here is a video of his red carpet appearance with a peculiar hat you’d remember for a long time.

#3 Tom Cruise Surprises Jeff Gordon

The surprise tradition for retirements started before Stewart’s time in 2015. It was the end of an era as Jeff Gordon announced his retirement after a decorated career, and the awards ceremony was full of emotions. But one of the most memorable moments came when actor Tom Cruise, a longtime friend of Gordon’s, appeared on stage to present a tribute.

The surprise appearance left Gordon visibly emotional, bringing him to tears even before Cruise walked onto the stage. “I knew it was going to be a tough night, but that just made it a little tougher,” Gordon said, struggling to hold back tears.

#2 Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Emotional Farewell

Next up in the line of emotional farewells is Dale Earnhardt Jr, who was honored at the 2017 awards. Not only did he win the Most Popular Driver award for the 15th time, but he was also presented with the Bill France Award of Excellence.

While he did not win the Cup title, there is no denying he gracefully carried his dad’s legacy forward. The moment was incredibly emotional, as Dale was moved by the love and respect shown by his fans and peers.

#1 Jeff Gordon Got the Last Laugh on Dale Earnhardt

In 1995, Jeff Gordon was fresh off his first NASCAR Cup Series championship at just 24. But during the season, Dale Earnhardt, known for his sharp wit, had been ribbing Gordon about his youth. At one point, he even joked that Gordon would have to toast everyone with milk instead of champagne.

Gordon, never one to shy away from a challenge, responded in perfect fashion. When it was his turn to accept the trophy, he pulled out a glass of champagne and poured milk into it as he raised it to the room. The crowd went wild, and even Earnhardt, the “Intimidator” himself, stood up to toast Gordon. It was a perfect moment of humor and respect.

📈 Trending News

Michael Jordan and Co’s Lawsuit Gets a New Twist

As NASCAR was gearing up for its glitzy 2024 Award Ceremony, there was another drama playing out behind the scenes—one that involved a high-stakes legal battle between two teams and the governing body itself, which recently took a surprising turn.

As you know, back in October, both 23XI Racing and FRM filed an anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR, accusing the organization of “monopolistic” practices. The two teams were the only ones that did not sign NASCAR’s new charter agreement, which guarantees their spot in every race and offers them a slice of the race purses. But with a recent development, the plot has thickened.

As the lawsuit proceeded, the teams asked for something extra—an injunction. This would have allowed them to compete under the current charter system in 2025, even while the legal battle raged on.

The federal judge, however, denied their request. This could have been a major setback, but the teams appealed, hoping to keep the pressure on NASCAR. Then, just as it seemed the legal battle would drag on, there was a surprising twist. 23XI Racing and FRM withdrew their appeal for the injunction. 

Why, you ask? It turns out NASCAR agreed to waive the controversial clause that scared them from being ‘open teams.’ This means the two teams can now field “open cars,” while still locking horns with NASCAR in the court. This decision, while opening the door for them to compete in the 2025 season, comes with some significant risks.

As open teams, they will have to qualify for each race, meaning they could miss major events if they fail to make the cut. This decision has raised eyebrows, especially considering they originally sought a more secure chartered status.

So, what changed? The reason for the sudden shift isn’t entirely clear. NASCAR might have offered some form of private concession or assurances, persuading the teams to drop the appeal.

Despite this change, 23XI Racing and FRM haven’t abandoned their lawsuit. They are still pushing against the charter system, arguing it is anti-competitive. For now, they will race without the safety net of guaranteed entry into events. An eerie predicament, isn’t it?

Continue Reading: Michael Jordan and 23XI Plausibly Shoot Themselves in the Foot

🗣️ Talk of the NASCAR Town

23XI Racing Makes a Bold and Confusing Move

“How about that sh*t, huh?” That’s what Riley Herbst said in his post-race interview after securing an impressive win at Phoenix. And while one can clearly see his words were laced with frustration (over not having a ride for the next season), they’ve now turned into excitement.

As it turns out, the driver is now set to make the jump to NASCAR’s Cup Series. Meaning, Herbst will join 23XI Racing, piloting the team’s third car #35 for 2025.

Now, on the surface, this news seems like a solid move for 23XI Racing. But the team is in a fierce battle with NASCAR and while two “open cars” might already be a nightmare, what sense does it make adding a third one? This confusion has led some to question whether Herbst’s new ride is more about securing Monster Energy sponsorship than it is about his driving talent.

But while this move might raise a few eyebrows, 23XI Racing could be betting on a future victory in their lawsuit. If they win and their charters are restored, the addition of Herbst makes more sense. With eight Cup Series races and a solid Xfinity track record under his belt, Herbst is no stranger to the big stage, so he could be an asset to 23XI.

But it’s not just 23XI making headlines. Fellow team Front Row Motorsports, also a part of the lawsuit against NASCAR, is reportedly planning to announce a third driver for their team as well. Zane Smith seems to be the frontrunner, with FRM General Manager Jerry Freeze hinting that “it’s a no-brainer” move. 

Well, would FRM wait for some good news in the lawsuit or field a third ‘open car’ like MJ and Co. remains to be seen.

Continue Reading: Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team Fails to Fool Fans

📰 Lucky Dog's Recommended Reads

1. Denny Hamlin’s FedEx Tribute Steals the NASCAR Awards Spotlight - Full Story

2. JGR Drops Bombshell, Leaving Denny Hamlin Shocked - Full Story

3. NASCAR Loses Pioneer Integral to Dale Jr.’s Late Model Venture - Full Story

4. Fans Rage at Danica Patrick’s Return as Sky Sports Snubs World Champ for Her - Full Story

5. Martin Truex Jr Not Done With NASCAR as He Drops 8-Word Retirement Verdict - Full Story

✨ Featured Comment

While preparing to cheer for Kyle Busch once again next year, Super Fan - Richard Cypher left an interesting comment on our last poll…

Lucky Dog's Take: Well, it is hard to argue with the 'luck' part there. Just talking about it gives us flashbacks from the Coke Zero Sugar 400, where Harrison Burton (someone as old as Busch's racing career alone) beat him by a mere 0.047 seconds.
But it is not just you Richard, even the Lucky Dog would be rooting for Rowdy to get his mojo back in 2025.

If you have any such comments, let us know in the polls. You can also write back to us. With this, the next Lucky Dog on Track 'Featured Comment' could be yours.

💌 Feedback