Top NASCAR cards and pack brands to buy and invest in for 2024

The NASCAR season rolls on, with the Brickyard 400 just days away. Kyle Larson sits atop the standings, with Chase Elliott and Tyler Reddick close behind him. The Round of 16 is just around the corner. With that, the races mean more than they have all year. As fans enjoy the intensity of a playoff push, collectors are monitoring the stock of the drivers. Many are also keeping an eye on F1 for new investments, as well. While a new pickup might fetch value, it’s reasonable to consider which NASCAR or F1 cards are the most valuable in 2024. To that end, it’s also fair to weigh which racing cards and racing card packs are the best to buy at this point in the season.

Let’s take a look at the best brand of racing cards, as well as identify the best racing cards to collect and invest in for 2024.

What’s the best brand of NASCAR or F1 cards to collect?

When it comes to NASCAR cards, Panini publishes many of the preferred brands for collectors. Topps holds the exclusive rights for the production of F1 cards and its Chrome variant is a favorite for those who deal in F1. Depending on which racing cards a collector may be looking for, both brands hold value when it comes to racing. Additionally, Topps offers Dynasty and Chrome Sapphire packs for F1 collectors.

What’s the best NASCAR or F1 card pack or card box to buy?

A majority of F1’s most valuable cards are produced by Topps Chrome, but Topps also produces premium product like Eccelenza, which can cost over $500 for just 8 cards, or Dynasty, which can go north of $1,000 for one patch/auto card. For collectors looking to pull a card that will entice buyers, this is likely the most promising pack to pick up. Insert cards specifically continue to perform well for sellers. When it comes to NASCAR, National Treasures, Prime, Prizm, and Donruss, all produced by Panini, are the card products available in the marketplace (listed in descending price order). Panini Chronicles is also an appealing variation for collectors due to its high concentration of inserts.

All of the aforementioned brands offer blaster boxes, which can offer higher hit rates. 

What are the best NASCAR or F1 cards to look for in 2024?

Chase Elliott 2016 Prizm NASCAR (Base or Insert)

While limited sales data was available for Chase Elliott, his 2016 card sells somewhat regularly. This particular set offered Base, Silver, Red, White & Blue, and Green Flag inserts, among others. On June 17, a Silver Prizm PSA 10 sold on eBay for $169.99, while a Red, White, & Blue PSA 10 sold for $84. Due to the scarcity of graded inserts from 2016, there is a possibility an insert from this collection can be sold at a profit. It’s important to note, however, the highest-performing cards from this collection were in graded condition. However, as one of NASCAR’s top drivers, Elliott remains collectible to fans.

Max Verstappen 2023 Topps Chrome Formula 1 #1 Purple Refractor /399 RAW

What kind of a list would this be if Verstappen wasn’t mentioned. This purple refractor card is a short print from the 2023 Topps Chrome set and can be had at a price point that might not necessarily reflect the scarcity of the card or Verstappen’s popularity. Most recently, this card was sold for $30 on July 14, according to Sports Card Investor. It’s also worth mentioning that no sales of a graded version of this card have been tracked. This could lead to an opportunity for collectors willing to invest in the grading of the card.

Oscar Piastri 2023 Topps Chrome Formula 1 #40 Base Rookie RAW

In his second season competing for the McLaren F1 team, Piastri has solidified himself as one of F1’s elite drivers. He finished eighth in the standings as a rookie in 2023 and now ranks fifth in 2024. This base card most recently sold for $7.47 in raw condition on July 12 and $40 on July 8 as a PSA 10. However, there is a significant chasm between his PSA 9 value and the $40 price point. A PSA 9 last sold for $9.50 on June 20. Grading this card would come with risk. Should Pisatri continue to compete among the sport’s elite, though, even his raw card will likely accumulate value over time.

Richard Petty Signed 2012 Topps Allen and Ginter

Richard Petty, known as "The King," is one of the most legendary figures in NASCAR history. The Richard Petty Signed 2012 Topps Allen and Ginter card is a prized collectible for both NASCAR enthusiasts and trading card collectors. This card features a vibrant image of Richard Petty, one of the most legendary figures in motorsports, adorned with his iconic signature. The 2012 Topps Allen and Ginter series is known for its vintage-inspired design, adding a classic touch to this modern collectible. This series is popular among collectors for its artistic and nostalgic appeal, making cards from this set more desirable.

Are NASCAR or F1 cards worth buying?

When analyzing recent sales, the market for NASCAR cards isn’t as robust as what currently exists for Formula 1. When the popularity of F1 boomed in the United States, the appeal of the cards followed. Both NASCAR and F1 could be worth buying. It will likely come down to the reason for buying. For investors looking to maximize margins and resell cards at a net gain, F1 offers more potential in general. However, that’s not to say there isn’t value in NASCAR cards. There are certainly high-dollar cards and collectible drivers. These cards, however, haven’t sold near as often as F1 cards as of late and could end up being a longer term investment.

Still, NASCAR and F1 cards mean a great deal to the right collector or fan. It’s all about how the buyer and seller perceive the market at a given time.