By Van Cox, Special to NASCAR.COM
July 28, 2005
04:48 PM EDT (20:48 GMT)
Press Pass has initiated an aggressive early summer marketing platform with the simultaneous release of two trading card sets. Press Pass Trackside 2005 is, of course, the company's annual July release offering fans a comprehensive view of NASCAR's Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series. Meanwhile, Press Pass Legends focuses on the men who shaped the past, present and future of stock car racing. Press Pass Trackside races off of pit road with an extensive 100-card base set that includes all the top drivers from the three leading NASCAR series. In addition to an in-depth look at what goes on at the track, the set also delivers numerous autograph and race-used memorabilia programs, including Top Prospects race-used memorabilia cards featuring future stars that currently compete in the NASCAR Busch Series. "With a comprehensive base set that includes dozens of top drivers, we strive to produce a set that not only offers a great deal of variety, but a lot of fun for the collector, too. With subsets such as Garage Pass, Hot Stops, Fan-atic, Teammates, and Family Affair, we provide the collector with the look and feel of what it's like to be right there with the drivers and teams," said Tom Farrell, Director of Marketing for Press Pass. "Pit Stoppers and Top Prospects memorabilia cards literally provide collectors and fans with a piece of the action." The Press Pass Hat Giveaway returns this year--giving collectors a chance to win a Press Pass hat signed by top NASCAR drivers. A total of 48 drivers are participating in this year's program. Rising NASCAR Busch Series stars like Reed Sorenson, Justin Labonte, Martin Truex Jr. and red hot Carl Edwards are among the six drivers slated to be featured in Top Prospects with race-used memorabilia cards that are available only in hobby boxes. Top Prospects-which made its debut in 2003 -- will be back in October in Press Pass Optima. Trackside's other trademark memorabilia program is Pit Stoppers, featuring inserts with a piece of race-used pit sign from NASCAR Nextel Cup's top competitors (1:168 hobby, 1:240 retail). The ultra-rare Pit Stoppers Signature Series is punctuated by hobby-only autographed memorabilia cards (numbered to drivers door number The ever-popular Press Pass Signings chase card series returns with three levels of rarity: Silver Signings (1:84 hobby, 1:144 retail), Platinum Signings (sequentially numbered to 100), and the hobby-only Gold Signings (sequentially numbered to 50). Continuing in Press Pass Trackside is the Year-Long Total Memorabilia Program offering collectors Triple Burner (hobby-only) and Double Burner (retail-only) multi-piece memorabilia cards featuring race-used memorabilia from Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and other NASCAR superstars. Other inserts include Hot Pass, a "set-within-a-set" with an interior die-cut that is designed to look like an actual garage pass (1:2). Runnin-N-Gunnin returns printed on silver foil with an emboss, while Hot Pursuit is printed on holofoil board. Dialed-In is printed on holofoil as well, a single level emboss is used to enhance design elements. If that isn't enough, Press Pass' year long tribute to Dale Earnhardt continues with the 76-card Dale Earnhardt Victory Series. Press Pass Legends is the first ever NASCAR trading card release dedicated to the pioneers of NASCAR. This journey through time starts with a unique 50-card base set featuring the greatest superstars in NASCAR history. Press Pass Legends 2005 also contains the brand's most ambitious insert line-up to date featuring multiple autograph and memorabilia programs. The most highly-acclaimed milestone insert series is the industry's first NASCAR "cut signatures" program, Historic Cuts, which showcases autographs of NASCAR legends from yesteryear such as the late Davey Allison. Collectors will find either an autograph or multi-piece race-used memorabilia card in every six-pack mini-box. The super premium quality base set, printed on 24-point stock, is complemented by a four-tiered parallel program with each level sequentially numbered. A rare Solo "one of one" version is also included. A sequentially numbered base parallel card will be inserted in every pack! "We are excited to bring collectors a set that spans all eras of NASCAR and includes the first autograph cards ever for many NASCAR pioneers such as Rex White, Fred Lorenzen, Marvin Panch and others," said Farrell. "Press Pass Legends also offers the opportunity to win a rare lithograph signed by 34 of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers." The signed lithograph contest offers collectors a chance to win a rare NASCAR 50th Anniversary lithograph that features the 50 greatest drivers of all time, chosen by NASCAR in 1998 as part of the sanctioning body's 50th anniversary celebration. The 25" x 39" artwork is signed by the 34 drivers who were living at the time the lithograph was commissioned in 1998. Contest entry cards are inserted at a ratio of 1:18. The Press Pass Legends autograph lineup also contains an exclusive Legends Autographs series. Past legends such as Richard Petty and Bobby Allison are included alongside an elite group of current superstars like Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, and Terry Labonte. Future legends such as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jimmie Johnson are also slated for inclusion. Previously unreleased Signature Series cards from Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jimmie Johnson will also be included, with each autographed memorabilia card numbered to each driver's door number. Press Pass Legends offers a double dose of memorabilia on each of two card series. Dual Threads pairs race-used firesuits from two top NASCAR's stars on the same card, while Threads & Treads features race-used firesuit and tire pieces from nine of NASCAR's premier drivers. Rare Tim Richmond Series memorabilia cards (race-used gloves and firesuits) are also included. Race-used memorabilia cards are found one in nine packs. Other inserts focus on the rich history of NASCAR. Greatest Moments is an embossed holographic foil insert that takes a look at 18 events that helped to shape NASCAR. Heritage features embossed foil and tells the story of twelve different NASCAR icons. Finally, a unique collectible, Press Pass Plates, features the actual printing plates used to create each card. There are only four plates per card side and each will be sequentially numbered and randomly inserted | 
