How to Collect Nascar Cards

Rabid NASCAR fans can collect hundreds of cards depicting their favorite drivers, and the collections are portable and take up a relatively small amount of space. Like other collectors' items, however, premium NASCAR cards can be expensive and difficult to find. Before you begin beating collecting racing cards, make sure you know what you're looking for and whether it falls within your budget.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Familiarize yourself with current drivers. Watch the races to follow your favorite competitors and catch up on the big names, like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart. Part of collecting NASCAR cards is developing a personal connection with the sport and getting to know those involved in it.
2. Learn about NASCAR drivers of the past so that you recognize a good collector card when you see it. While collecting rookie cards and cards of current champions is important, you should round out your collection with classic retired and deceased drivers.
3. Choose your favorite driver or team to help you focus your collection efforts. If you don't have a favorite, peruse magazines like "Racer" or "NASCAR Scene" to learn more about major competitors (see Resources below).
4. Buy a current issue of "Beckett Racing Magazine," a publication that gives updated information on racing card prices, autograph opportunities and more (see Resources below). Order a subscription to the monthly magazine or update your copy every 3 to 4 months so you have current card and price listings readily available.
5. Visit toy stores, sporting goods stores and hobby shops to collect new packages of NASCAR cards. Some of these local retailers stock collector cards for a variety of sports, including racing.
6. Stroll through the flea market or look through garage sale ads to find NASCAR collectibles. Whether sellers are cleaning out their own collection or reselling cards in bulk, haggling over a sought-after card may give you a sense of satisfaction you won't get at the retail stores.
7. Browse eBay for NASCAR card auctions (see Resources below). Search by keywords "NASCAR cards," or by the name of your favorite driver. If you follow the auctions carefully and patiently, you can get some great deals on hard-to-find cards.

Tips & Warnings

• Take care of the cards you collect cards by purchasing acid-free, plastic cardholders that fit into a 3-hole binder. These cardholders are an inexpensive investment, but provide years of protection for your prized collection. Pro-MoldDirect.com sells a variety of plastic sheet protectors, sleeves and display holders for trading cards (see Resources below).
• Check out NASCAR Connections for links to "all things NASCAR" (see Resources below). You'll find collectible dealers, driver profiles and NASCAR fantasy racing leagues in one handy link, and you may even find contact information for a local fan looking to swap trading cards.