| From it's humble roots in the South, NASCAR racing | | | | Race fans seem to have a huge appetite for |
| has grown to almost unbelievable popularity across | | | | merchandise that shows support for their favorite |
| the entire nation in recent years. From the first races | | | | driver, whether it is by wearing NASCAR apparel, |
| run in 1948 to the current NEXTEL Cup and Busch | | | | buying accessories for their car or truck, or even |
| series, NASCAR has become arguably the number | | | | decorating their home. NASCAR wall clocks, desk |
| one spectator sport in America, boasting 75 million | | | | clocks, even throw blankets, sheets and wall |
| loyal fans. And, interestingly, 40% of those are | | | | tapestries are showing up in homes everywhere. |
| women and 53% work in white-collar or skilled labor | | | | Within this huge market, strong sub markets appear. |
| jobs. The numbers continue to be impressive; annual | | | | NASCAR collectibles have become big just by |
| attendance at races is over 7 million and upwards of | | | | themselves. A variety of items from plaques and |
| 275 million Americans watch on television. | | | | autographed pictures to diecast cars are snatched |
| Those who follow the circuit attribute several factors | | | | up, partly due to popularity, but also in hopes of |
| to its' success. One of those is a formula that no | | | | appreciation in value for the collectibles market. |
| other spectator sport matches. Week in and week | | | | While the NASCAR diecast part of the market has |
| out, the best teams (drivers) are competing head to | | | | softened recently, it is still respectable in strength. As |
| head against each other. Unlike, for instance the NFL, | | | | drivers change their paint schemes, it allows |
| where you may have to wait weeks for that big | | | | manufacturers to expand the products several times |
| matchup, you can watch number 1 versus number 2 | | | | over in this niche and that helps keep sales moving. |
| every week. It's almost like having the Super Bowl of | | | | Apparel such as NASCAR jackets, jerseys, t-shirts, |
| this sport every week. | | | | etc appear to be growing in popularity as |
| Years of tradition and a grass roots beginning are | | | | manufacturers roll out expanded products and are |
| also given credit for the sport's popularity. The origins | | | | even including more high end items like leather |
| of the sport in the "bootlegging" days and the humble | | | | jackets and specialty items like jewelry. The true |
| background of many of it's initial stars seems to be | | | | fanatic can even outfit the entire family with recent |
| attractive to fans in this day of the spoiled, | | | | introductions of complete NASCAR kids clothing and |
| pampered, arrogant professional athlete. | | | | youth lines. |
| All of this has led to big business. From television | | | | Where will it all end? I don't believe we know, but |
| revenues to licensed merchandise sales, NASCAR is | | | | when I see corporate secretaries wearing NASCAR |
| big business today. NASCAR merchandise sales now | | | | hats and white collar managers wearing NASCAR |
| have exploded to exceed $ 2 billion annually and the | | | | shirts with pictures of "Junior" plastered on them, I |
| markets continue to remain strong. | | | | question if there is a limit to this market. |