NASCAR CollectiblesLearn about NASCAR diecasts, autographed photos, tankards and more!There are different NASCAR collectibles for fans of all ages, but some of the favorites are NASCAR diecast model cars. The detail on these models is amazing, incorporating every decal and bolt of the signature vehicle into their design so that it's almost like having the actual car in your living room, only smaller. NASCAR diecast cars come in several popular sizes, the most commonly found being the 1/24 scale cars crafted of high-quality materials that are better suited to display due to their larger size. Smaller diecast cars can sometimes make it harder to view detail without a magnifying glass and the larger scale gives the artisans a bit more to work with. 1/64 scale cars, which are about the same size as a Hot Wheels or Matchbox diecast car, often are not as detailed as their larger counterparts, despite being just as meticulously crafted. The reason for this is simple - the smaller scale cars don't have as much room to work with and tiny painted details may appear distorted or blurred if they aren't viewed with magnification. Some collectors prefer the smaller 1/64 scale models simply because they are less expensive and easier to store, or in some cases because there are details on the smaller NASCAR diecast cars that the larger models do not have, such as doors and hoods that open. Larger 1/24 scale cars are usually only given moving wheels, though some don't even have that as they are mounted on a block as a show piece only. Storing your NASCAR diecast cars is fairly easy, requiring only a plastic or acrylic case for the larger models and your choice of a plastic sleeve or case for the smaller ones. Some collectors prefer to leave their diecast cars in their original box for display, especially if it has interesting artwork or pictures. If this is the case, however, you must be careful to keep it out of direct sunlight and away from high humidity if you want to preserve the quality of the box as well as the car inside. There are many other kinds of NASCAR collectibles for the true fan, however, and another very popular one is an actual piece of a NASCAR speedway racing surface, or a piece of metal or tire from a favorite car. Usually these are purchased from an official store or memorabilia dealer, and they sometimes have a photo or autograph framed along with your little piece of racing history. Some of the more costly sets have an autographed photo, a piece of metal and a piece of tire from the winning car framed in an attractive way to commemorate a special race, such as the Indianapolis 500. Of course, autographed photos are also very popular NASCAR collectibles and are often easier to obtain than those of other celebrity athletes, due to the fact that many NASCAR drivers pride themselves on being accessible to their fans. If you are willing to stand in line at a car show or pre-race festival, the chances are good that you'll get to meet your favorite driver and take home a truly special NASCAR collectable. Some of the more out of the ordinary NASCAR collectibles that are available are ones such as the limited silver dollars painstakingly painted with the faces of famous drivers such as the late Dale Earnhardt. These coins are only available from select sources and in limited quantities, so enthusiasts would do well to purchase them when they are issued rather than waiting to buy them on the secondary market and risk being overcharged. The Franklin Mint is a wonderful source for more unusual NASCAR collectables, such as the Racing Legends Tankards collection, which features large, colorful tankards with full color photos and signatures of such racing greats as Bobby LaBonte and Jeff Gordon. In addition to the tankards, there are also pocketwatches and pocketknives with the same bold racing themes and legendary drivers. There are even collectible teddy bears wearing the racing jumpsuits of popular NASCAR winners to add to your collection or give to a little NASCAR fan in training! And, in case you just can't get enough racing, there's also a version of Monopoly featuring Dale Earnhardt with tiny collectable NASCAR pieces and race-themed properties to buy. The increased popularity of NASCAR collectibles and racing has made it fairly easy to find all kinds of interesting and unique memorabilia, and the Internet can be a valuable resource when searching for the perfect piece to complete your collection. Aside from the usual online stores, there are also NASCAR bulletin boards where you can meet other enthusiasts, share stories and even trade NASCAR collectables. Of course, it goes without saying that the best NASCAR collectibles are usually found at the track itself on race days, especially championship races or famous competitions like the Daytona 500. Which brings us to one of the other things the Internet is famous for...helping you find tickets to the big race! See you at the finish line! more than NASCAR collectibles on our Sports Memorabilia page
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