NASCAR is a motorsports racing series that has been around since 1948. The sport consists of three types of races: Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series.
There are also other events such as the Xfinity Series and ARCA Racing Series. NASCAR cards are produced by companies like Upper Deck, Panini America, and Topps.
These companies create cards featuring famous drivers from across the country. This article will discuss NASCAR cards and the companies that create them.
What Is NASCAR?
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was founded in 1948.
It is an American auto racing sanctioning body that regulates all forms of stock car racing at both the professional level and grassroots levels.
Its premier event is the Daytona 500, which takes place every year on February 17th. Other major events include the Coca-Cola 600, the Brickyard 400, and the Chase for the Championship.
NASCAR is divided into three different divisions: Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Trucks. Each division has its own set of rules and regulations.
For example, the Trucks have to be under 1/2 ton while the Sprint cars can weigh up to 200 pounds more than the trucks.
There are four classes of competition in each division: Top 35, Top 15, Top 10, and Elite 8. To qualify for these categories, you must finish in one of the top 35 positions or higher.
You can only compete in the Top 35 if your car weighs less than 2 tons. If you want to race in the Elite 8 category, your car needs to weigh between 2 and 4 tons.
There are many ways to win in NASCAR. A driver can win a championship by winning the most races in their respective division.
They can also win by having the best average position over the season. Another way to win is by being named Most Popular Driver.
Fans vote online to determine who they think should get this award.
The Chase For The Championship
Each year, NASCAR has a championship race called the Chase for the Championship. Drivers compete against each other until one driver wins the title.
To qualify for the Chase, drivers must finish in the top 16 positions during the regular season.
If a driver finishes outside this range, he/she is eliminated. After all the drivers have finished racing, the points leader is crowned champion.
The winner receives $1 million and takes home the trophy. The runner-up gets $500,000 while third place gets $250,000.
NASCAR Card Companies
As mentioned earlier, many companies produce NASCAR cards.
Some of the biggest names in the industry include Upper Deck, Panini, and Topps.
Upper Deck
Upper Deck produces some of the highest quality sports trading cards out there. Their first Nascar release was back in 1995.
Since then, they’ve released nearly 100 different sets. One of the highlights of their line is their NASCAR card collection.
Topps
Topps is another company that produces high-quality sports trading cards. They were established in 1938 in Brooklyn.
The company is now owned by FANATICS and they currently hold the rights to the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA, MLS, and PGA. They also produce cards for NASCAR.
Panini
Panini America is a company that specializes in producing collectible baseball cards. The company started making cards in 1961.
They have several different lines including the Majors, Minors, Legends, and Champions. Panini also make cards for NASCAR.
How Do I Get My Hands On NASCAR Cards?
You can buy NASCAR cards from any of the aforementioned companies. However, it may take time before you receive your cards.
The process is not always as simple as buying a pack of baseball cards. There are often long waiting periods and sometimes you need to pay extra fees.
You can also find cards on eBay. This website allows people to sell items like books, video games, and other types of merchandise.
People use eBay to sell their old stuff because they don’t want to throw away anything. Sometimes, people will list NASCAR cards for sale.
Another option would be to go to a local flea market. Flea markets are places where people gather to sell their goods. Many times, they will have vendors selling various types of memorabilia.
It wouldn’t be uncommon to see someone selling NASCAR cards at a flea market.
If you want to try to sell your cards, you can do so through eBay. Just search for “eBay Motorsports Cards” and you will find hundreds of sellers.
What Are The Best NASCAR Card Sets?
One of the main reasons why people love collecting NASCAR cards is because of the variety of sets available.
Each year, new sets come out with new features. For example, from 2011 onwards sets included a checklist feature.
This allowed collectors to check off which drivers had won races throughout the season. There are also special editions of NASCAR cards. These are usually limited edition sets.
They are only produced once or twice per year. Some of these sets have been extremely popular. Other than the regular sets, there are also die-cut cards. Die-cutting involves cutting out parts of the cards.
Usually, this is done to create unique designs.
Other things that make up a good NASCAR card set include:
• High-end production
• Multiple autographs
• Rookie cards
• Autograph cards
• Checklist cards
• Full-color images
• Gold foil
There are plenty of great NASCAR card sets out there. If you want to start collecting, just pick one up today!
Final Thoughts
NASCAR cards are fun to collect and trade. You can get them online or at a local flea market or garage sale.
Collecting them is an excellent way to learn about racing history. Some of the best NASCAR cards are produced by Panini America.
You can get these cards at most major retailers or online. If you would like to read more about NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt then click here to be taken to our article.
Apart from being such an interesting hobby that can take you in so many directions. It keeps you in touch with your younger self. I still feel the same level of excitement when adding a new card to the collection.
I'm still learning, and I always will be. I hope you find my posts helpful.
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