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 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.
 Pictured
left: Action Racing Dale Earnhardt '91 Winston Cup Champ #3 Lumina,
1:24
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
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
left: 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.
Pictured right: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Bear
in Firesuit & Cap
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. Autographs with official certificates
of authenticity cost more, but then you should be guaranteed of
the genuine article.
Pictured left: Signed Ryan Newman photograph
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.
The NASCAR.com
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