The NASCAR community was absolutely sure about one thing in the wake of Kyle Busch’s tragic death in May earlier this year. Rowdy had to win the Most Popular Driver of the Year award at the end of 2026. It would be a heart-touching tribute to one of the sport’s most beloved personalities, and one that pretty much everyone in the garage agreed with, as other contenders for the award stepped aside. At the same time, though, there was one uncomfortable question that Kenny Wallace dared to ask.

Why was Busch not considered for this award before the horrible news the garage heard on May 21? He was still incredibly popular, and one of the winningest drivers in the sport’s history. On his socials, Wallace absolutely blasted the NASCAR community.

“Shame on everybody. Shame on everybody. Why do you hate people when they’re alive?” Wallace questioned on X.

He directed his frustration at the way fans treat drivers during their careers, only to celebrate them after they’re gone. The campaign to honor Busch has brought that contradiction back into the spotlight.

The winner of the award will be announced on November 10, and over the past few days and weeks, several prominent figures have urged their fans to vote for Busch, who will be a special name on this year’s ballot. Chase Elliott, an eight-time winner of the award, has withdrawn his name and expressed hope that Kyle will win, following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Bill, who did something very similar in 2001.

Bill had won the Most Popular Driver award 10 consecutive times and 16 times overall, but he withdrew his name from consideration in 2001 because he and the rest of the NASCAR community wanted Dale Earnhardt Sr. to win. The Intimidator had lost his life in a crash at the Daytona 500 earlier that year. And he won.

“The only way he became the most popular driver is he died,” Wallace argued, drawing comparisons to the situation this year.

When voting opened on October 23, Chase Elliott’s name was missing. The Hendrick Motorsports driver had voluntarily withdrawn to honor Busch, explaining that his father’s 2001 decision had stayed with him. He considered it an admirable gesture toward a rival and wanted to offer Busch the same recognition. Wallace, however, would have preferred to see that happen before May 21.

Busch won 63 Cup Series races and two championships. Across NASCAR’s three national series, he collected 234 victories. He was one of the most successful drivers of his generation. That said, his aggressive style and outspoken personality, which actually earned him his iconic “Rowdy” nickname, also made him a driver fans loved to hate.

Kyle didn’t care. He was unapologetically himself. Boos followed him all over the country, and he responded by winning and theatrically bowing after races. As if acknowledging that the fans couldn’t get inside his head. Regardless, Wallace can’t help but think about how Kyle would have felt if he were here today.

“Kyle Busch played the villain role very well, but no doubt in my mind that has to hurt his feelings,” he said.

Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar and Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson have also urged fans to vote for Busch. However, neither withdrew from the ballot like Chase Elliott did. Hocevar reportedly asked to withdraw, but people close to Busch told him the late driver wouldn’t want to win by default. Larson, too, said he would step aside if allowed, while continuing to encourage fans to vote for Busch.

Wallace even called Hocevar the most popular driver this year, and it’s easy to see why. His antics have attracted new fans to NASCAR and kept things entertaining — a punch to Ryan Blaney’s face, for instance — on weekends that might otherwise feel routine. Still, Wallace welcomed the idea of Busch winning the award. His point wasn’t that popularity shouldn’t matter, but that fans should look beyond whether they liked Busch and recognize what he brought to the sport.

If Busch wins, it will be a tribute to a champion who spent years drawing attention, both for his success on the track and his personality. Fans didn’t have to like him to appreciate what he accomplished. Wallace’s question is why that recognition came more easily after Busch was gone.

The two-time Cup Series champion remains eligible, and the decision is now in the fans’ hands. Voting through the National Motorsports Press Association runs until November 9, with the winner set to be announced the following day at the annual NASCAR awards banquet in Miami.

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