Collectors await 'Legends' of the fall

When Press Pass Legends made its debut in 2005, it was an instant hit with card collectors.

"It was easily the most popular set of 2005. In fact, I can't remember when a new set was so popular with collectors," said Dave Gaumer, owner of Dave's Pit Stop Race Cards in Holt, MI. "Collectors have been eagerly awaiting Press Pass Legends 2006 for months to see if it will be as powerful as last year's set."

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Well, the wait is almost over. Press Pass Legends 2006 is set to hit the market in late September. On September 27, to be exact. This year's offering promises to be another must-have for not only the card collector, but also the NASCAR fan with an appreciation for the sport's history.

In its sophomore release, Press Pass Legends offers collectors more in-depth content that pays tribute to the roots of NASCAR as well as a quality-line-up of autographs and memorabilia cards. Press Pass Legends uniquely combines the pioneers of NASCAR's past, the elite stars that drive the current popularity of the sport, and the young talent that represents racing's future. One of the primary highlights will be Racing Artifacts--Legend Series memorabilia cards featuring the first ever race-used memorabilia cards from drivers such as Bobby Allison, Alan Kulwicki, and David Pearson.

Another sure-fire hit will be Racing Cuts, historic cut signature cards from such legendary drivers as Lee Petty, winner of the first Daytona 500 and patriarch of the famed Petty family.

"Every six-pack mini-box contains an autograph or a race-used memorabilia card, while each master box contains an average of one autograph and two memorabilia cards," said Tom Farrell, Director of Marketing for Press Pass. "Each pack promises a great pull, with at least one numbered card per pack."

Champion Threads is an additional race-used memorabilia program. It's a unique chase series that features race-used firesuit cards of current NASCAR champions including Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, and brothers Terry and Bobby Labonte. Making up the rarest element of the program are rare patch versions numbered to 25 for all firesuit cards.

If that isn't enough to whip enthusiasts into a frenzy, yet another unique memorabilia series, Champion Threads and Treads includes the same NASCAR champions and features a piece race-used firesuit and tire on the same card. Bronze, silver and gold editions are available for both Champion series.

Press Pass Legends' memorabilia-mania continues with Triple Threads, an insert ensemble that brings together for the first time race-used firesuit, gloves, and shoes on one card from many of NASCAR's hottest stars including Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Kasey Kahne. Combined odds for all race-used memorabilia cards are 1:9 packs.

Of course, there is only one category of inserts that rivals memorabilia in the eyes of collectors: autograph cards. The Legends Autographs program is found exclusively in Press Pass Legends 2006 and features signatures from an elite group of NASCAR's pioneers and current stars, with multiple levels to collect.

Other heavy-hitters in the line-up of legendary inserts include: "Press Pass Plates," the actual printing plates used to create Press Pass Legends 2006; "Memorable Moments"--16 embossed holofoil cards that take a look back at events that helped shape NASCAR history at four Carolina tracks rich in NASCAR history (Charlotte, Darlington, North Wilkesboro and Rockingham; "Heritage"-a 15-card embossed foil insert set that showcases NASCAR's top all-time winners and current stars plus father/son combinations who have won the Daytona 500; "Signature Series"--previously unreleased autographed memorabilia cards from Dale Jr. and Tony Stewart sequentially-numbered to their door numbers.

Even Legends' 50-card base set is a big winner with unique historical photography printed on 24-point stock and has five sequentially numbered base card parallels levels assuring collectors at least one numbered parallel card per pack. In addition, the 50th Anniversary Lithograph Contest will give collectors a chance to win a 25' x 39" lithograph signed by 34 of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers.

"Nobody beats Press Pass when it comes to innovation and creativity," says California trading card expert Mark Smith. "Press Pass Legends is the perfect balance of old and new while paying a fitting tribute to the history of NASCAR. This is a set that's going to carry a lot of weight in the hobby for years to come."