Heading back to school NASCAR style

The start of a new school year is approaching faster than Dale Jr. down the backstretch at Talladega.

If you're looking for back-to-school gear for the young race fan at your house, the options are a lot clearer than you realize. You can drive all over town HOPING to find what you're looking for, or you can log onto the NASCAR.com SuperStore, find what you need in one quick visit and be done with it!

The NASCAR.com SuperStore carries a plethora of NASCAR-themed back-to-school merchandise, including: backpacks, lunch boxes, and the like.

After giving way to plastic lunch containers for more than a decade, metal lunch boxes have enjoyed a bit of a comeback during the past couple of years. Nobody has a better selection of metal NASCAR lunch boxes--no matter what your preference-than our on line shopping connection. For those who like the old-style "domed" boxes, Action Performance's Winner's Circle brand has a stellar line-up that includes Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon. Each box features colorful driver-themed graphics.

"Tin lunch boxes have definitely made a comeback," said Forde Aley, Director of Non-Traditional Retail Sales for Action. "We thought the driver-themed boxes were a natural. They've been a big hit not only with younger race fans, but also with adults."

STORE •   Buy NASCAR lunch boxes •   Buy NASCAR bags & packs

For those who lean toward a rectangular design, The Tin Box Company has the answer with a series of 7 5/8" X 6" X 2 3/4" tin-plated steel boxes. Each comes with a plastic handle and two locks to hold it securely closed. The lunch boxes are beautifully adorned with 3-D embossed four-color graphics specific to the featured driver.

"We are the only company doing lunch boxes in that shape," said Andy Siegel, Marketing Manager for The Tin Box Company. "The 3-D embossing is an added bonus that makes the images just pop out at you. Like the tub, it's an item that is both a usable tin and collectible."

The Tin Box driver roster includes such luminaries as: Earnhardt, Earnhardt Jr., Stewart, and Bobby Labonte.

Of course, going back to school means carrying books and an assortment of school supplies. Jerry Leigh has made that task easier with the company's line of backpacks and belly packs.

Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon are among the drivers showcased on Jerry Leigh Clear Backpacks. Made of clear PVC, each pack has two zippered compartments with adjustable shoulder straps. The team-colored backpack displays the driver's name, car number, and car screen-printed on the main compartment.

Complementing the backpack is a clear PVC belly pack This item has a zippered storage compartment with an adjustable waist strap and a plastic latch for a comfortable fit. The team-colored belly pack carries the driver's name, car number, and car screen-printed on the front.

Drivers available include Earnhardt, Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Tony Stewart.