I had to follow the qualifying today for the Dodge Avenger 500, via NASCAR.com's Live Leaderboard feature. It's really just a technologically updated wire service with some cool graphics, but for someone stuck at the day job and sans cable, it got the job done. It didn't tell me about all the cars that apparently smacked the Lady's walls. It did, however impart the looming sense of doom for Michael Waltrip and D J, as the math became clear that their decent qualifying efforts would again go down the NASCAR top 35 drain. What a shame.
I need to ask my friend Jerry, The Diecast Dude, what will happen, or probably already has, to Dale Earnhardt Jr. collectibles with the number 8 all over them. I am not a collector. I have a few things that are valuable to me and no one else. But I remember last year strolling the souvenir trailer park at the Brickyard 400, shortly after Jeremy Mayfield parted ways with Everinham and Brian Vickers left had Hendrick. That stuff was CHEAP! Somehow, I just don't see a fire sale for Junior swag.
That day, the longest lines for any of the merchandise trailers were for Ricky Bobby and the Wonderbread car. Long lines of fans buying the stuff and plenty of folks wearing Talladega Nights gear. That fad faded fast.
If I could have one trailer at any or all of the remaining Cup Series races, it would be the Warren Wallace concession. I can see it now. Retro driver's jackets. Sunglasses and toothpicks.
And "Poor fella, never saw it coming" t-shirts.
Warren has a fan club. Check it out here.
Picking a new number will be important. Not sure why Lady T would hold onto the #8, especially since she so covets the Dale Sr and #3 linkage! Junior and #8 go hand in hand...T would score mega points with the fans if she give up the #8!
Posted by: Vroom! | May 12, 2007 at 06:51 AM
I would buy Warren Wallace collectibles!!!
Posted by: michael | May 12, 2007 at 07:53 AM
Normally, when a driver changes sponsors and/or teams the value of their old collectibles drops. However, this is Junior we're talking about, so the rules don't apply. If he keeps Budweiser as his primary sponsor, even with a number change won't be affected either positively or negatively. If his primary sponsor changes, if it's a "family friendly" one I suspect his Bud stuff will actually climb a bit in value. Bear in mind the bottom has fallen out of the NASCAR collectibles market the past few years, so in any case don't count on retiring off of little toy cars. Even red ones with an #8 on them.
Posted by: Diecast Dude | May 14, 2007 at 02:08 PM
Nice to see another good writer! How's it going Dude! Going to put your book up on my page. Anyone who wants to join the "Unofficial Warren Wallace Fan Club" just needs to stop by the site and let me know! C'mon, show the kid some love. With his talent for driving others into any wall, we could be comparing him to the big E one day!
Posted by: kcjsmoket20 | May 14, 2007 at 09:59 PM
I suspect the next excuse for Theresa haters will come over the #8 ownership. It's nice to know Jerry, that Dale Jr's equity in the number will probably outlive any dispute. I don't mean collectible value equity Vroom, but maybe sweat equity is a better term for what I mean.
Warren is my hero for the year guys. I love those commercials.
Posted by: charlie | May 14, 2007 at 11:03 PM