October 9, 2006
03:44 PM EDT (19:44 GMT)
Every so often, a new driver comes out of nowhere to dominate the collectibles scene. Back in 1993, it was Jeff Gordon. Then came Tony Stewart in 1999, followed by Dale Jr. in 2000 (although Junior actually started to take off in '98-'99.) Kasey Kahne made a big splash in the collectibles pond a couple of years ago. So, who is the most collectible driver of 2006? Here's a clue: he isn't a driver at all. He's the product of Hollywood's imagination. Yep, it's Ricky Bobby, the character brought to life on the silver screen by funny man Will Ferrell in the movie, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. What makes Ricky Bobby such a hot commodity? For beginners, NASCAR, its licensees, and Columbia Pictures did a first class job of building an impressive array of collectibles and souvenirs around this movie. "They've done a good job with it," says Keith Craig, former owner of KC Racing Collectibles and an avid collector who still has his finger firmly on the pulse of the hobby. "Nobody has ever put so much effort into creating product tied to a movie about NASCAR. Just think what if there had been this much effort put into merchandise pertaining to Days of Thunder. Ricky Bobby stuff is hot right now." Ricky Bobby product has several other factors going for it. It's NASCAR, and you'd be hard pressed to find anything enjoying more success at the cash register than NASCAR merchandise. It features Ferrell, the Steve Martin of the new millennium and a guy who is riding the crest of popularity these days. "There is also a huge following of fans who collect movie memorabilia in general," Craig adds. "So there could be some crossover collecting. It's next to impossible nowadays to predict which collectibles are going to gain in value and how much. But-and this is just my opinion, mind you--I think the long range potential of Ricky Bobby product is pretty good." Indeed it is. So good in fact that the NASCAR.com SuperStore has created a special section of Talladega Nights merchandise for your on line shopping convenience. Here's a look at a few of the items on hand: • Leading the way is an ensemble of Motorsports Authentics die-cast replicas of cars and transporters used in the movie. The paint schemes were designed by renowned motorsports artist Sam Bass, which only enhances the collectibility. Die-casts on sale include the following Chevrolet Monte Carlos: the No. 26 Ricky Bobby Laughing Clown, No. 62 Ricky Bobby ME, No. 47 Cal Naughton, Jr. Old Spice, No. 55 Jean Gerard Perrier, and, of course, No. 26 Ricky Bobby Wonder Bread. All are available individually in 1:24 scale or as a five-car 1:64 scale set. Wonder Bread and Laughing Clown transporters are also offered in 1:64. Motorsports Authentics has also produced a host of souvenir items such as credential holders, seat cushions, flags, etc. • Wincraft offers the most diverse product line in all of NASCAR. In commemoration of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, the company is offering a selection that includes a plastic wall clock, a Reserved Parking sign, a driver standup, and a car pack featuring a tag, key ring, bumper sticker and static cling decal. • HI-REV hoods have become increasingly popular both as collectibles and wallhangings. And as you might imagine, Ricky Bobby takes center stage on the latest HI-REV Tribute hood. Other HI-REV products include a Ricky Bobby mousepad • Stadium Imaging offers framed, high quality 8x10 color photos of both Ricky Bobby and the Wonder Bread car. • Time Factory has produced a 12"x12" Talladega Nights wall calendar. • Hunter Manufacturing-on of the top producers of sports-themed drinkware-has released both a coffee mug and a set of tumblers • New from Northwest is a 48"x60" Turbo Throw blanket • Gametime's contribution to the NASCAR.com SuperStore's Talladega Nights product line includes three distinct styles of watches. • Apparel -- hats, T-shirts, jackets, sweatshirts and more. For more details, check out the Talladega Nights specialty shop at the NASCAR.com SuperStore. You'll be screaming with excitement just like ol' Ricky himself. | 
