By Van Cox, Special to NASCAR.COM
February 13, 2005
01:10 PM EST (18:10 GMT)
The NASCAR trading card market continues to prosper as the second set of the season -- Wheels High Gear 2005 -- is just now reaching the hands of anxious collectors. One of two yearly sets that Press Pass releases under the Wheels brand, High Gear is the first set to highlight the Inaugural Chase For The NASCAR Nextel Cup. Cornerstone of Wheels High Gear 2005 is a 90-card base set punctuated by plenty of statistics and a special awards subset that pays tribute to the top performers of 2004. Another subset offers a glimpse ahead into 2005. "Wheels High Gear gives collectors the chance to both commemorate the 2004 racing season and gear up for Daytona," said Press Pass associate product manager Heather Maillard. "With two exciting contests and the first opportunity to collect the 2005 Wheels Autographs, Wheels High Gear 2005 promises not to disappoint." Flag Chasers race-used flag cards are the featured memorabilia card in Wheels High Gear 2005. There are seven different flag versions to collectect, ranging from the green flag to the extremely rare checkered flag. As usual, Wheels High Gear is the first release of 2005 to offer the coveted Wheels Autograph inserts. Over 60 NASCAR personalities make up the set's roster, including Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty, Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson. When it comes to interactive games, Wheels High Gear 2005 scores high marks with collectors with not one, but two, such games. The popular Flag Chaser Power Pick Contest features a one-of-a-kind High Gear checkered flag signed by an array of NASCAR superstars, from raw rookies right on up to 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion Kurt Busch. The second interactive contest is a collaboration between Press Pass and stock car racing's most-respected weekly publication, NASCAR Scene. One lucky winner will receive two NASCAR Scene suite passes to the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the Be An Insider For a Day Contest. Contest entry cards are inserted in card packs and are also good for a free trial subscription to NASCAR Illustrated. Flag Chasers -- Rare race-used memorabilia cards that feature a swatch of flag waved during the NASCAR season; paired with 10 talented racers, there are seven flag versions to collect including the coveted checkered flag. Progressive. (Inserted at a ratio of 1:144 on average (Hobby), 1:240 (Retail)) Flag Chasers Power Picks -- contest cards allow collectors to enter a drawing for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind autographed 2005 Wheels High Gear Flag signed by the top NASCAR Nextel Cup Drivers. (1:20) Wheels Authentic Autograph -- Wheels exclusive autograph cards signed by the past, present, and future stars of NASCAR make their 2005 debut in Wheels High Gear . (1:60(Hobby); 1:144(Retail)) Be an Insider for a Day Contest -- Contest card good for a free trial subscription to NASCAR Illustrated, and an entry into a drawing to win two NASCAR Scene suite passes to the 2005 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. (1:6(Hobby); 1:8(Retail)) Full Throttle -- Six drivers slice through the field to a top finish on these plastic cards.(1:12) Top Tier -- Holofoil insert that features the 10 drivers competing in the inaugural Nextel CHASE FOR THE CUP. (1:9) Man & Machine -- Nine drivers are paired up with their machines on these etched-foil cards that emphasize the connection between the driver and his team. Look for "Man" cards in Hobby ((No. 1A-9A) 1:5), and "Machine" cards in Retail ((No. 1B-9B) 1:7) Zero Card -- Foil card commemorating the first ever NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion. (1:72) Flag to Flag -- 27-card "set-within-a-set" that captures all of the race action. (1:2) MPH -- 90 base cards treated with special holofoil stamping, sequentially numbered to 100 (Hobby only) | 
