NASCAR Die-Cast Cars To Be Produced By Lionel

Joshua Lionel Cowen was born in 1877 and grew up in an era when trains ruled transportation.

Cowen was an inventor and the romance of the rails drove him to start the company, Lionel, in 1900.

Some 110 years later, Cowen could have never imagined his company would manufacture die-cast cars for NASCAR.

Cowen certainly could not have imagined the expanse of the sport—highly engineered cars racing past locomotive speeds around a track with massive logos adorning them and highly-paid drivers at the wheel.

NASCAR's newly-formed Teams Licensing Trust has developed a joint venture with Lionel.

NASCAR die-cast cars have been some of the hottest collectible items for many years.

Jerry Calabrese, Lionel CEO, said, "Collecting die-cast cars is one of the core ways that fans have of connecting with their favorite teams and drivers."

Lionel plans to represent more than 30 NASCAR national series drivers.

The Licensing Trust is open to any team that chooses to participate.

Right now, merchandising covers four categories: Apparel, collectible die-cast, toys, and trackside retail.

Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, said of the licensing unit, "This new structure will make it more attractive to do business with teams of NASCAR."

The Licensing Trust should be a win-win deal for NASCAR, NASCAR teams, the fans, and of course, Lionel.

Many people who collect die-cast cars may be familiar with the quality of the Lionel products, specifically the famed electric trains.

NASCAR has taken another step toward promoting NASCAR teams in the best possible way.