SHOP: For your favorite die-casts
It’s not often that Dale Earnhardt Jr. loses a popularity contest, but that was the case Thursday when Lionel Racing — The Official Die-Cast of NASCAR — announced its best-selling die-cast of 2016.
For the first time since 2011 it wasn’t Junior’s No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at the top of the list. Instead, it was Earnhardt’s teammate, Chase Elliott, whose No. 24 NAPA Chevrolet claimed the top spot.
“Chase Elliott‘s arrival on the NASCAR scene has been big, and the overwhelming popularity of his first rookie NASCAR Sprint Cup Series die-cast is further proof that race fans relate to him and everything he represents,” said Lionel Racing President Howard Hitchcock in a company press release.
Never fear Junior Nation, as Earnhardt’s car still accounted for four out of 10 of the company’s best sellers.
Making the list for the first time was Kurt Busch, whose Monster Energy Chevrolet secured the seventh spot. Monster Energy recently became the sponsor for NASCAR’s top series, signing a multi-year deal.
Here’s the complete top-10 list of best-sellers for 2016:
1. Chase Elliott No. 24 NAPA Chevrolet
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 Nationwide/Batman Chevrolet
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet
5. Kevin Harvick No. 4 Busch Chevrolet
6. Jimmie Johnson No. 48 Lowe’s/Superman Chevrolet
7. Kurt Busch No. 41 Monster Energy Chevrolet
8. Jimmie Johnson No. 48 Lowe’s 7X Time Champion Chevrolet
9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 Nationwide/Gray Ghost Darlington Chevrolet
10. Kevin Harvick No. 4 Busch Light Chevrolet