NASCAR COLLECTIBLES ARE A POPULAR AND ENDURING GENRE AMONG MOTORSPORTS ENTHUSIASTS STORY BY KELLEN OLSHEFSKI T hroughout history, sports have served as breeding grounds for legendary figures, some of whom are simply admired and adored, and some of whom fans aspire to be. From the days of gladiators and the earliest Olympics, competitors have been put on a pedestal, recognized as being the strongest, fastest or the all-around greatest in their particular pursuit, whatever that might be. Throughout the past century, athletes like Johnny Unitas, Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali and more have become legends, their names almost synonymous with their respective sports. The motorsports world is no different, with NASCAR having risen to that very same legendary status, bringing some of the greatest drivers in history along for the ride. NASCAR has risen from the days of running illegal liquor by moonlight in souped-up Hot Rods to become a full-on sports spectacle with numerous series and races that are so familiar—like the Daytona 500—that even those who aren’t racing fanatics have heard of them. Likewise, there are also drivers’ names that have become so well known for track domination, they’re now engrained in the public’s mind. Junior Johnson, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dick Trickle, Jeff Gordon and more have all joined the ranks of legends, their cars and recognizable numbers and color schemes following them into the limelight. Just like with other sports, the names, signatures, likeness and cars of the legends of NASCAR have found their way onto numerous pieces of memorabilia, giving fanatics something tangible to add to their collections and help them feel as if they too are a part of the NASCAR legacy. From trading cards, posters, flags, models and neon signs to the rarer and more obscure collectibles, such as driving helmets, jackets, race suits and pieces of actual cars, collectors have found countless ways to bring the sport into their homes and collections. With an ever-growing market of active collectors buying, selling and trading these goods, many of these pieces of memorabilia find their way to the public auction format, offering like-minded NASCAR fans and aficionados an opportunity to add, or even start, their very own collection of unique and rare pieces of NASCAR history. NASCAR INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY BANNER DALE EARNHARDT SR. GM GOODWRENCH RACING JACKET JUNIOR JOHNSON REAR QUARTER PANEL PIECE
