These NASCAR drivers are dominating Google as the season heats up
These NASCAR drivers are dominating Google as the season heats up
Stuart Dyos, Nashville TennesseanFri, May 15, 2026 at 10:02 AM UTC
0
Few sports command the cultural devotion NASCAR does in the South, where star drivers are followed less like athletes and more like celebrities.
Online search trends offer a revealing snapshot of which NASCAR drivers capture the most fan attention, and why certain names dominate the conversation well beyond the checkered flag.
As NASCAR enters one of its busiest and most visible stretches of the season, fans have their eyes on drivers like Denny Hamlin, who is often referred to as the organization’s best driver without a Cup Series championship title.
Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 Progressive Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway on July 20, 2025, in Dover.
Hamlin is America's most-Googled NASCAR driver in 2026, with more than 172,206 average monthly searches, according to research by Westgate Events, a company that curates vacation packages including NASCAR races.
Hamlin, who is also a podcaster and team owner infamous for his "villian arc" on the asphalt, ranked as the top-searched racer in 25 states.
“Denny Hamlin’s high ranking is likely due to the fact that he’s the only racer in the top ten to also have some sort of ownership on a team too, doubling the interest in him and highlighting how ventures off the track can contribute to a racers popularity and influence on the sport itself,” a Westgate Events spokesperson said.
In Tennessee, 23-time Cup Series winner Chase Elliott took the top spot for online interest. Elliot is the fourth-most-Googled driver in the U.S. with 139,892 average monthly searches nationwide this year, according to Westgate Events.
Advertisement
"If NASCAR has a 'chosen son,' it is Chase Elliott," the Westgate Events report stated. "Carrying the torch for the most legendary family in Georgia racing history, Elliott’s popularity is rooted in a deep-seated loyalty that spans generations."
Search data reveals that Elliott's fan base is "incredibly protective and engaged," according to the report.
However, Columbia, Tennessee, native Sterling Marlin was named the Volunteer State's most popular driver by Westgate Events.
Most-Googled NASCAR drivers in America in 2026, in average searches per month -
Denny Hamlin — 172,208
Kyle Larson — 149,833
Bubba Wallace — 146,183
Chase Elliot — 139,892
Kyle Busch — 109,458
Tyler Reddick — 86,417
Connor Zilisch — 79,292
Joey Logano — 76,933
Ryan Blaney — 67,058
Carosn Hocevar — 55,767
Westgate Event also provided estimates for each driver’s potential earnings per sponsored post on their respective Instagram accounts.
Despite recent Talladega winner Carson Hocevar having 350,000 thousand fewer Instagram followers than Bubba Wallace, the 23-year-old commands roughly $49,200 in potential earnings per sponsored post, due to a high engagement rate and recent success on the asphalt.
“For less seasoned racers, having a strong social media following is incredibly beneficial,” a Westgate Events representative said. “A good collaboration with a brand can lead to thousands of dollars in earnings that can really benefit the driver financially outside of their main income.”
Other leaders in potential earnings per sponsored post include Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin with $40,600, $36,700 and $30,900, respectively.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Most‑searched NASCAR drivers reveal who fans care most about
Source: “AOL Sports”
