After becoming familiar with this edgy and rather raucous sport, I realized that there is much more to it than simply fast cars going round-and-round on the track. When I actually sat down in front of the TV, watched the cars, the different comments from the announcers, the drivers and their crew communicating back and forth (and getting some help from a friend to get some terminology definitions and other various details), I found out that it is actually quite a strategic team sport with a number of interesting aspects to it.
And - it's pretty addictive - just ask my 82 year old mother who had a blast watching her first race just the other day. =D
Now I see why followers of NASCAR tend to be avid fans!
With all of that in mind, I think that there could be no better Christmas, birthday or other-occasion gift for a NASCAR fan than one that symbolizes the true spirit of the sport.
I decided to hunt down what the best merchandise might be - and found out that there are quite a number of things that would "trip the trigger" of just about any die-hard lover of NASCAR. Of all the different categories of items I came across, below are the top picks (based on information from my friend, noticing the shopping trends online and my own personal choices):
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NASCAR Checkered Flag
Here is what might just be the ultimate gift for any NASCAR lover - the beloved checkered flag. This flag is used only once in each event - signaling the end of the race, and is a sight for sore eyes when a driver is in the lead. =)
One interesting tidbit -- the flag's history (why it is checkered) does not appear to be known exactly, but one theory says it was originally the pattern of after-race dining tablecloths. Another theory (which I lean toward as being more likely) is that its design makes it easier to spot for drivers -- when originally the tracks used were made of dirt, there would be dust flying up in the air, making the "winner flag" more difficult to see.
No matter where it came from, if you are searching out a gift for a NASCAR fan and are not exactly sure what to buy, this flag will almost always be a big hit.
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NASCAR Diecast Cars
Any lover of NASCAR racing has a favorite driver (or two) -- and many of the drivers' cars have multiple diecast versions.Especially I noticed with the most popular drivers like Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon (and a number of others), there are some very special cars of varying scales that are collector's items, and would be a prized addition to any racing fan's collection.
Also, there are more economical versions of the diecast lineup - making them a great gift that won't drain the wallet.
Are you shopping for someone, and you know who their favorite driver is? A diecast car would bring a certain smile at gift-opening time. =D
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NASCAR Caps & Hats
Here we move into the arena of "What are people buying the most when it comes to NASCAR merchandise?"A hat with a favorite driver's colors and number would be a can't-lose gift: It would likely be worn more often than anything else in a fan's super-casual wardrobe. (My top pick - since he is my favorite driver - is the Kyle Busch M & M hat. =))
And - a hat usually won't cost an arm and a leg to buy.
(Suggestion: If the person being shopped for has a favorite driver, that will likely be a bigger hit than a more general NASCAR logo hat.)
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NASCAR T-Shirts
This suggestion might not exactly be unique - but if you are thinking "duh" - that this type of a present would be too typical or boring for a NASCAR fan, you just might be mistaken.Whether the fan you are shopping for is a man or a woman, there are quite a number of pretty sweet designs - ranging from simpler t-shirts with designs and logos to actual driving attire - and some pretty cool jerseys for both the ladies and the gents.
For women, there are some shirts available in quite a wide range of sizes, designed to conform to curves "in all the right places." (The "Touch by Alyssa Milano" collection of shirts is a good start along this line.)
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In terms of the above NASCAR gift ideas, I am personally off to a pretty good start -- a collector's Jeff Gordon 2013 1:24 diecast car for my friend - and a shirt for myself already in a shopping cart awaiting checkout.
