Chase's Pit Caps put fans at head of the field

If you've been around NASCAR for very long, you already know that hats and tee shirts are far and away the most popular -- and most visible -- types of memorabilia. Heck, almost every fan in the grandstands is wearing a cap or shirt exalting his or her favorite driver.

One of the most popular of all NASCAR clothing is the Pit Cap Series offered by Chase Authentics, the apparel arm of the Motorsports Authentics conglomerate and the acknowledged leader in the category.

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"The Pit Cap Series is by far our best seller," says Chase Racewear Administrator Bill Smith. "Every fan has to have one of our caps representing their favorite driver. The Pit Cap is the most obvious thing that fans see drivers wearing. Jeff Gordon, one of the original founders of Chase Authentics, wears one all the time.

"Chase Authentics is the authentic trackside apparel of NASCAR. When fans buy Chase Authentics, they are wearing the same apparel worn at the race track by drivers like Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart. You see them wearing these caps all the time. That has helped to make it our number one program."

Each baseball-style cap is decorated in team specific colors and displays the embroidered sponsor logo, car number and driver's replica signature. Two different cap designs are released each year, one during the first half of the season and one during the second semester.

With its huge arsenal of licenses, Chase produces Pit Caps for virtually every notable NASCAR Nextel Cup driver in the garage area.

The start 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup campaign saw more driver/team/sponsor changes than any season in recent memory. For that reason, souvenir apparel is selling at a fever pitch.

"We redesign all of our apparel lines across the board every year," says Smith. "Fans can't wait to get their new caps and tee shirts each season. With all the changes in 2006, we're seeing the demand soar."

Of course, Chase Authentics boasts the most expansive catalog of merchandise in the NASCAR apparel market. A plethora of tee shirts are offered in a variety of styles. Replica driver uniform twill jackets and team shirts resembling the garments worn by actual crewmen are also popular among the NASCAR faithful.

The chances are, if it can be worn, Chase Authentics makes it. And if Chase Authentics makes it, you can probably find it in the NASCAR.com SuperStore.