While the stock cars changed dramatically in 2013, one thing that remained the same was Earnhardt’s popularity among die-cast collectors.
Earnhardt occupied not just the first, but the top three spots on the best-sellers list. His No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet was the best-selling 1:24 scale die-cast car of the year, while his Diet Mountain Dew and National Guard/Man of Steel cars followed in second and third positions, respectively.
“Every year it holds true, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a fan favorite among collectors and those who spend their hard-earned discretionary income on NASCAR merchandise,” said Howard Hitchcock, Vice President and General Manager of Lionel Racing.
“His National Guard/ Man of Steel die-cast was our best-selling special paint scheme of the year, and his primary paint schemes outpaced the field by a wide margin.”
For the first time, Clint Bowyer made Lionel’s Top 10 with the PEAK/Duck Dynasty Toyota Camry that he raced at Watkins Glen.
“This car was a bona fide hit with NASCAR fans,” Hitchcock said. “Bowyer and Duck Dynasty are a perfect match and that combination resulted in one of the most sought after collectibles of the year.”
An offering from Lionel Racing’s NASCAR Classics line also made the cut. Coming in tenth was a raced version of the Chevy that Dale Earnhardt won in at Wilkesboro in 1989 – his last win in the Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
“This is one of those historic die-cast that you can’t believe was never made before,” Hitchcock said. “We replicated the car Earnhardt won in at Wilkesboro with the scratches and scuffs that were on his actual car after the race. It’s one of my favorite NASCAR Classics offerings to date.”
The Top 10 Die-Cast Cars of 2013 are listed below. For images and a slideshow detailing the story behind each car and a list of best-selling drivers, please visit www.lionelnascar.com/top10.
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 National Guard/Man of Steel Chevrolet
4. Tony Stewart No. 14 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
5. Jeff Gordon No. 24 AARP/Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet
6. Danica Patrick No. 10 GoDaddy Chevrolet
7. Brad Keselowski No. 2 Miller Lite Ford
8. Jeff Gordon No. 24 Cromax Pro Chevrolet
9. Clint Bowyer No. 15 PEAK/Duck Dynasty Toyota
Dale Earnhardt No. 3 1989 Wilkesboro Win Chevrolet
About Lionel Racing
Lionel Racing is the market leader in the design, promotion, and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A division of Lionel Trains, Lionel Racing makes and sells replica die-cast NASCAR®, NHRA and other licensed cars through a variety of channels, including Corporate, National Accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Located near Charlotte Motor Speedway, Lionel Racing has its pulse on the motorsports community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectibles. For more information, visit www.lionelracing.com.
