NASCAR is one of the hottest sports with attendances and television viewing figures at record levels.

Whilst the sport attracts more viewers, many are also attracted to the merchandise and related collectibles, as well as the earlier memorabilia and items from over half a century of history of NASCAR.

It all started with races on the famed Daytona beach/road course in the late 1940's. NASCAR itself was formed in 1948, and in the early post war era it was thought 'that race fans wouldn't stand for new cars being beat up on a race track while they were driving a rattletrap pre-war automobile, so "Modified" cars were the early staple of NASCAR racing.

Pictured left: Action Racing Dale Earnhardt '91 Winston Cup Champ #3 Lumina, 1:24

Pictured right: Richard Petty's (The undisputed "King" of stock car racing with 200 NASCAR Winston Cup Series wins, Petty won seven series championships during his 35-year career) 1975 STP Dodge

However, in 1949 NASCAR president Bill France Sr. re-visited the idea of racing the cars that people actually drove on the street -- late model family sedans. Since no other racing organization had seized the idea, France figured it might take root and create added interest.'

Pictured right: Museum Editions Dayton 500 Poster - Charles Fazzino was licensed by NASCAR® and Daytona® International Speedway to commemorate the 48th running of the Daytona® 500. Charles Fazzino celebrates this historic NASCAR® NEXTEL® Cup Series race, focusing on the incredible power the drivers hold in their hands, the speed they exhibit, and the excitement that builds with each lap around the track. Poster Size: 18" x 24"

It certainly did and 'throughout the history of NASCAR, its race cars have been transformed from road-going, lumbering true "stock" cars into the sleek, technologically advanced machines that we see today on ultra-modern speedways.'

Pictured right: Jimmie Johnson Boyds Bearstone

Collectors can choose from a vast array of items ranging from signed photographs to figurines, and from personal items and affects to teddy bears.

Some collectors stick just to the traditional die-cast models, some specialize in just one or two drivers such as Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt, and some pick specific eras, or events like the Daytona 500.

Pictured left: Richard Petty figurine from Action McFarlane -

Pictured right: Bobby Labonte and Shrek from Action McFarlane -

Action McFarlane is joint venture of artist Todd McFarlane and Action Performance. The Series 1 figures were released in 2003 and with Series 6 released in November 2005 there have now been over 40 models produced.

There is also variation within the series with some models being available with tobacco and/or alcohol advertising allowed.

Autographs of drivers vary dramatically in price depending on which dealer you go to. The best way to get an authentic autograph is to be lucky enough meet the person.

Pictured left: Signed Ryan Newman photograph

Autographs with official certificates of authenticity cost more, but then you should be guaranteed of the genuine article - click for NASCAR autographs on ebay

The largest area of NASCAR collecting is die-cast models which we will be featuring in its own article in the next issue of the magazine.

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Books on NASCAR Collectibles
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