While NASCAR’s popularity seems to be tapering off, it’s still the most-watched motorsport in North America. Which means that chances are you’ll have someone with a secret – or not so secret – shrine to Bill France on your shopping list this holiday season. So for those who can explain the difference between a round of wedge and a wedge of cheese, here are the top-10 gifts for the NASCAR fan.
1. What better addition to your NASCAR fan’s Christmas outfit than with a Dale Earnhardt, Jr. AMP Energy Santa Hat from Team Beans? Not much more explanation needed… At the NASCAR.com store for $19.99.
2. Kyle Busch tore it up in the first half of the season, winning regularly in Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Trucks, but while he unfortunately fell off the pace in the latter half of the year, he’ll be a force come the 2009 season. So for those wanting to wish Kyle well, here’s an M&M’s twill uniform jacket from Chase Authentics at NASCAR.com for $109.99.
3. Home Depot Toyota driver Tony Stewart has never been accused of lacking chutzpah on track, so there’s something surreal about this Memory Company Tony Stewart 14″ Nutcracker, priced at $9.97.
4. Now that the season is over, it’ll be an agonizing few months until the 2009 Daytona 500, so here’s a board game that won’t be boring: NASCAR MY Fantasy Drivers Monopoly. Players can design their own game board with the likeness of their favourite drivers, and the traditional game pieces have been shown the door. Instead of the iron, thimble and shoe, there’s a headset, RV, war wagon, gasman, racecar and the checkered flag. SportsNutShop.com has it for $35.99.
5. Now that Jimmie Johnson wrapped up his third consecutive Sprint Cup Championship, here’s a 1:24-scale model of JJ’s #48 Chevrolet Impala from Action Racing Collectibles that’ll take pride of place in any NASCAR fan’s collection. The NASCAR.com store has it for $89.99.
6. For those who do get to the track, the only way to stay on top of what’s going on during the race is with a scanner. Sports Authority has this Carl Edwards-styled ProScann 100 scanner for $150, and it features ear buds, a noise-reducing headset and batteries. Works as an FM radio away from the track as well.
7. While some NASCAR fans travel to every race, the rest of us might never get to one for a long time. So for those wanting all the behind-the-scenes without actually being there, NASCAR’s Track Pass program is a must-have. Featuring live timing and scoring, radio broadcasts from their favourite drivers, and live telemetry feeds from various cars all at the same time. Pricing starts at $5.41 a month at NASCAR.com.
8. Gotta make sure you’re in front of the television in time to watch the big race? Check out this Greg Biffle-ized crew-chief watch from OnlineSports.com. Water resistant to 165 feet, meaning it’s fine out on the lake, and comes in a neat recliner-like leather case. Available in other driver combinations, and for women as well. Good deal for only $61.02.
9. Nothing like getting the kids involved in NASCAR early, so why not let junior get some valuable family bonding time with his own chair. This NASCAR Racing video chair is perfect for the tot who wants to get close to the action, and it’s treated with DuPont Teflon for built-in stain resistance! Only $103.95 from OnlineSports.com.
10. Richard Petty is the king of NASCAR, with hundeds of wins and seven championships under his signature 10-gallon hat. He also runs his own Petty Experience at a number of NASCAR tracks around the U.S. Customers can order anything from a ride-along for $45 to the $2199 ‘Talladega Experience’ where they can drive Petty school cars 24 laps around the Superspeedway’s 33-degree banking. This is the ultimate gift for the NASCAR fan.
That’s it for now! Come back tomorrow for gifts for those who enjoy racing but, well, aren’t huge fans of NASCAR, meaning Formula 1, Le Mans, rally, etc.