Q&A: Pick a card

In 1988, the release of the inaugural MAXX Race Cards set ushered in the era of prosperity now enjoyed by the racing collectibles industry. Trading cards remain one of the hobby's most popular commodities.

Consequently, we get plenty of questions about these cardboard collectibles. Here are responses to a few of your inquiries:

Q: I was wondering what the value is for the 1999 Wheels 100 Card Set. It is a set of the normal cards. What is the value of a Press Pass 2003 Kyle Petty Race-Used Tire Burning Rubber Card? BRT 14/18 It is from when he drove the Sprint sponsored car in 2002. -- Ryan Mills

EMAIL Got a collectible question? Email us! Please remember to be specific when describing a collectible -- manufacturer, year, etc. Limit your questions to two and check our archives before submitting an inquiry.

A: The 1999 Wheels base set is worth around $25. The 2003 Petty Burning Rubber card should have a collectible value of $35-45.

Q: I have a 1992 Pro Set David Pearson card, No. l-21. Could you tell me the value of this card? -- Longjohns 420

A: A very common card here. It is worth $2 or less.

Q:I have a 1991 MAXX Jeff Burton Card No. 201, 1995 Wheels High Gear Split Shift Kenny Wallace, 2000 MAXX Rookie Futures Jay Sauter, and 1996 MAXX Rick Hendrick. Are any of these cards worth anything and if so how much? -- Kimber

A: Another batch of pretty common cards. Values are $2 or less, unless you find someone with a particular interest in one of the cards.

Q: I have recently added a framed uncut sheet of 1998 Press Pass Triple Gear to my collection, (nine cards). I am just wondering what the print run and value of this great collectable might be? -- Michael Mesic

A: Only Press Pass would know how many were released. Appraising uncut sheets is tricky because there isn't enough of a secondary market to set any real pricing trends. Individually, those cards would have a collectible value totaling $1600-2000. The Earnhardt card is a really big ticket item. However, I don't think they'd be worth anywhere near that in uncut sheet form because the whole "insert" dynamic is taken away. Personally, I'd still place the collectible value at $500-600. But again, that's just my opinion.

Q: I have a 1990 Davey Allison Card. The front of the card shows Davey standing in his race suit with his hand on his hip. The back of the card says Davey Allison - Driver and then has his stats from 1985 - 1989. It's a Maxx card No. 28 and it's signed by Davey. Can you give me an idea of the value? I also have a 1990 Maxx collection card No. 12. The back has Bobby Allison - Owner, and it is signed by Bobby. Do you know if it is of any value to collectors? -- Jill Hall

A: There were two versions of the Davey card. The first version was an error card listing Davey with 13 top-10 finishes in 1988. The second version correctly listed his top 10s at 16. Both are worth $10-12 each. The Bobby Allison card is common, so its value is minimal. However, Bobby's autograph nudges the value up to $20-25.

Q: I have a 1999 Press Pass Premium Tony Stewart rookie card signed. What's it worth? -- Dennis

A: Assuming this is a common card that you had signed, rather than an Press Pass Signings autograph insert, the value is likely around $35-40.

Q: I have a 1995 Wheels High Gear trading card No. 73, autographed by Mark Martin, accompanied with a COA. My question concerns the misspelling of Roush Racing. The front of the card has ROUSCH RACING while the back has the correct spelling. This card is in mint condition. Can you give me some idea of the value? -- Tony Hill

A: In stick and ball sports, collectors pay a lot of attention to error cards. That isn't the case with NASCAR collectors...yet. So far, errors don't add to the value of cards unless you go all the way back to the first 1988 Maxx set. Wheels official autograph inserts for 1995 show Martin as card no. 31. So I assume you have a common card that has been signed. It would be worth $25-30.

Q: I have a Dale Earnhardt Bronze Card that I purchased in and around 1994-95. At the time I think I paid $25 for it. What is the value now?-- Dianne

A: I can't give an accurate appraisal without knowing the manufacturer and exact date. But based on what other Earnhardt metal cards have done in the secondary market lately, I'd say your card is worth $30-35.

Q: I have an autographed Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2000 Press Pass Trackside card (autographed in blue sharpie). It shows Jr. and his car on the front of it, and on the side in silver it has his name. On the back in the upper right hand corner it has a No. 29. I was wondering what the value of it would be. -- Vebergren

A: A common card, but Junior's signature pushes the value to $40-50 or more.

Q: I have a 1992 No. 156 Davey Allison BGN Driver card by TRAKS in mint condition autographed by Davey Allison. Can you tell me the worth of this card. -- Ilena

A: It's a very common card, worth less than $1. But if you can authenticate the autograph, Davey's signature boosts the value upwards to $80-100.

Q: How much would a Jeff Gordon 1995 Winston Cup Championship Metallic Impressions card be worth? -- Hale

A: A nice card, but it doesn't carry a very high appraisal. The value would be around $5-8.