Jerseys in football and diecast cars in NASCAR are the ultimate fan collectibles! These intricate replicas aren’t just toys; they’re treasured collectibles that ardent fans covet. Moreover, they serve as a barometer for the popularity of drivers and their teams. While these collectibles usually come with a premium price tag, it seems that 2024 has something special in store. Rick Hendrick has apparently set new benchmarks for the upcoming car models.

Lionel Racing, a toy-making titan with a legacy stretching over 115 years, embraced the NASCAR diecast collection world in the latter part of the 2010s. They didn’t just cater to the niche collector audience; they turned these miniature marvels into sought-after mainstream collectibles. Their affiliation with NASCAR began in 2010, and since then, outlets such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys “R” Us proudly display the NASCAR Authentics diecast collection.

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With the constant flux of emerging talent in NASCAR, one might assume that the spotlight would naturally gravitate toward fresh faces and burgeoning teams. Supporting this notion, Lionel Racing’s 2022 top-selling diecast leaderboard reflected the shifting sands of NASCAR’s popularity. Topping the list was Ross Chastain’s viral video game-themed car from Martinsville, which set social media ablaze. Trailing close was Kurt Busch’s Jordan Brand design that clinched victory at the Kansas Speedway, marking an emotional high before his Pocono Raceway concussion.

While Chase Elliott, 2022’s Most Popular Driver, dominated four of the top-10 spots on Lionel’s sales chart, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Sun Drop late model car was the fourth highest-selling. Richard Petty‘s 1984 STP Firecracker 400 victory diecast rounded out the top five. Standouts like Kyle Larson’s HendrickCars.com design and Austin Cindric’s Daytona 500-winning car also made their presence felt on the sales list.

However, here’s where the plot thickens: This year, on one side, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing’s star driver and partner to none other than basketball legend Michael Jordan, has distanced himself entirely from NASCAR’s diecast partner regarding his 23XI Racing cars (Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick). Meanwhile, Rick Hendrick hasn’t hesitated to slap a premium price on his 2024 classics, with Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson’s models fetching $120 and $110, respectively.

Two prominent teams, two starkly different approaches—NASCAR fans couldn’t ask for a juicier narrative. However, HMS putting up such high prices for core memory cars brings forth a pressing query: With Hendrick Motorsports’ decision to join forces with rival entities, is their partnership with Lionel Racing on rocky terrain?

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As the Next Gen car roared onto the scene, Lionel had its work cut out. From reimagining the diecast designs to navigating the turbulent waters of supply chain snags, the inception was nothing short of challenging. Yet, once the hurdles were cleared and the diecasts zoomed off the shelves, the sales graph rocketed.

Yet, despite all the efforts put in by Lionel Racing, in a move that’s set the racing world abuzz, Hendrick Motorsports pivoted unexpectedly. They’ve forged an alliance with the titans of the slot car domain, the Carrera Revell of Americas. The dynamic duo promises to unleash a captivating collection of slot car sets and models, each echoing the spirit and design of Hendrick’s iconic racers.

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Promising to capture the heart-pounding exhilaration of real NASCAR events, these sets aim to be the pinnacle of every racing aficionado’s collection, beckoning speed lovers from every generation. For the diehard Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson followers out there, here’s a question: would you shell out $120 for such a diecast treasure?