Johnson's collectible creds boosted threefold

"Win on Sunday; sell on Monday."

That's an old adage that became popular in the early 1960s when the nation's Big Three automakers were butting heads on NASCAR tracks around the country -- and it's a phenomenon that is still around today.

The same concept that enabled Fireball Roberts and Fred Lorenzen to sell a passel of '63 Ford Galaxy 500 fastbacks has propelled three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson into the upper echelon of NASCAR souvenir sales. Johnson's track record and good guy demeanor has earned him an ever-growing following among the NASCAR faithful. And in racing, success translates into activity at the souvenir trailer.

"Jimmie Johnson is a phenomenal talent," says motorsports artist Garry Hill, whose expansive portfolio includes two artworks commemorating Johnson's victories in the NASCAR Sprint Cup All Star Race. "The stats speak for themselves. He was the first rookie to lead the point standings and he has finished in the top-five in points every season since he made his debut. Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordon and the sport as a whole found a jewel when they discovered Jimmie Johnson."

Longtime Johnson collector Adrian Crisp agrees: "It isn't just his performance on the track that makes him popular among fans and collectors. It's the way he conducts himself. He is very respectful of the fans and of other drivers. That's why I pull for him and buy a lot of his merchandise. He makes it very easy to be a Jimmie Johnson fan."

The vast majority of new merchandise produced on Johnson is readily available at the NASCAR.com SuperStore where activity has been brisk. In fact, a report released by Motorsports Authentics after the season finale at Homestead indicated that sales of merchandise commemorating Johnson's record-tying third straight championship were up 44 percent over last year when Johnson captured his second title. An even bigger increase was reflected in the ledger of Action's high-end Racing Collectibles Club of America brand where the tale of the cash register tape showed championship-themed product posted a 137 percent gain over 2007.

Motorsports Authentics President and CEO Mark Dyer believes the historic significance of Johnson's latest accomplishment played a key role in generating a tidal wave of excitement in the memorabilia market.

"Jimmie has been one of the most popular drivers in the sport with strong merchandise sales, especially given his relatively short tenure in NASCAR," Dyer said. "I think collectors and fans recognize the amazing feat he's accomplished and are getting behind him to show their support. They know his memorabilia from this third championship will ultimately be quite valuable in the marketplace."

Indeed it will, but Johnson's three-peat is stirring interest in all of his product, not just championship-inspired merchandise. A quick sweep of internet auctions sites reveal that some items from early in his career -- particularly collectibles from his days in the NASCAR Nationwide Series or his rookie season on the NASCAR Sprint Cup tour -- have made noticeable gains in value.

If you're a Jimmie Johnson fan or if you just want to own a piece of racing history, now is the time to check out the great selection of collectibles and souvenirs at the NASCAR.com SuperStore. You'll find hundreds of items. Some pay tribute to his championship campaign while others commemorate his other accomplishments. Here are just a few of the great pieces on sale there:

• Chase Authentics Official 2008 Champion Tee Shirt: This totally cool tee is punctuated with an image of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship trophy, along with verbiage clearly proclaiming JJ as the Champ.

• Garry Hill All Star Race 2006 Print: Renowned artist Garry Hill has masterfully captured Johnson's stirring victory in the 2006 NASCAR All Star event at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Nobody chronicle's NASCAR's rich history any better than the immensely talented Hill. Each print is individually hand-signed by Johnson himself.

• JEBCO 2008 Champion Collectible Wooden Wall Clock: Another highly-collectible timepiece from the premier source of racing-themed collectible clocks, JEBCO. All original artwork depicts Johnson holding the checkered flag, while a background shot shows the No. 48 Chevrolet in the midst of a celebratory burnout. Each clock is sequentially numbered and features the patented Jebcote finish.

• 2000 MAXX Rookie Card: This is the one they all want--Johnson's first NASCAR trading card. This card depicts him in his AllTel uniform during his first full season of driving for Herzog Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. This could end up being the single most significant collectible from Johnson's entire career.

* 2009 Action Racing Collectibles 1:24 scale Die-cast: hot off the assembly line, Action has replicated this year's No. 48 in both the Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and the Kobalt Tools liveries. A brushed metal version of the Lowe's car is also offered.

• Gametime 2008 Sprint Cup Champion Crew Chief Watch: This is a really handsome watch that displays the championship graphics in its face. It is water-resistant to 5ATM and features a Miyota quartz movement.

• Mounted Memories 2008 Champion Framed Photo with a Piece of Race-used Tire: Folks, it doesn't get any more collectible than this. The heart of this highly-coveted piece of memorabilia is a swatch of one of the tires from JJ's title-clinching race at Homestead. Johnson's celebration after winning his third championshipis captured in a 6" X 8" photo. This collectible is limited to an edition of only 348 and comes with a statement of authenticity from Hendrick Motorsports and Mounted Memories.

• 2009 Time Factory Calendar: Available in 16-in X 11-in. and 12-in X 12-in. versions, each calendar is jam-packed with a bevy of photos and facts about JJ's career.

• Wincraft 2008 Sprint Cup Champ 1:2 Hood: As you might expect, Wincraft has produced a number of products commemorating Johnson's rendezvous with history. One of the neatest pieces is a 1:2 scale tribute hood featuring all original artwork showing Johnson, his car, the "Three In A Row" logo, and other team graphics.

• LogoArt 2008 Champion Sterling Sliver Rollo Bracelet: JJ has a lot of female fans, and this handsome piece of jewelry is sure to be a hit with any of them. The 6-mm bracelet features an enameled "3x Champ" pendant in sterling silver. Packaged in a velvet gift box, the bracelet is 71/2-in long and has a lobster claw catch.