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NASCAR is a million-dollar business and a huge part of that is marketing. When Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he was switching teams the season before last, the various products bearing his then-number 8 car went crazy. There were so many issues involved. The promotion teams went to work fast. The original goal was to sell off everything by the end of the year. In a flash, the 'get them while you can' sales began. Towards the end of the season, the marketers were getting anxious. It was time to start work on next season's merchandise. They needed to know where Jr. would end up. When that decision was announced, it was no time at all before the 'be the first to get the #88' sales began. It was the talk of the season.

Merchandise is big business, and there is plenty of NASCAR merchandise to go around. If you want to give the NASCAR affectionado in your life something special, the first thing to know is their favorite driver. Guess wrong, and you could be in big trouble. Racing fans usually have a definite favorite, not to mention drivers they can't stand. It would be a bad thing to give an Earnhardt fan a Jeff Gordon shirt. Now this isn't hard to find out. Look around their home, car, and office. For that matter, just check what they're wearing on race days, or just when hanging out. You're bound to see images of their favorite drivers as well as their numbers.

Once you've determined the racer, it's easy to shop. If you're online, just go to NASCAR.com. They have a shop there full of things. Then there's eBay. The easiest way, though, is probably to go to driver's website. They all have them, and they all have lots to sell. If you don't think you can find their website, a simple search on Google will assist you.

What to buy? Anything and everything with the racer's name and number on it. There are the basics - hats, keychains, T-shirts, jackets - and then there are the more unusual, like toys, teddy bears, and standees. You can find apparel for men, women, and children. There's jewelry, both fine and costume. DVDs and CDs abound, highlighting the racer's career or just their favorite music. Cookbooks, calendars, posters, blankets, notepads, cooler bags, door mats, water bottles, clocks, wall hangings, full wall-size decals, and so much more.

The ultimate gift, of course, would be tickets to any race on the circuit, and there are currently 36 of those to choose from. The next ultimate would be an autograph, either by itself or on a T-shirt, cap, or photo. Every fan loves a diecast of their favorite's car, and don't worry if they already have one, many different diecasts of the cars are often available. Don't forget a fan club membership, either!

Plus, if your giftee has a giving heart, you can always purchase a gift that supports a good cause. For example, Jeff Gordon has a section of his online store dedicated to his foundation. The proceeds from those sales benefit pediatric research and care. In this section, you can find Wellobee Highbanks, the mascot for the Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital mascot. It's an unusual present that also helps to save lives.

The items are endless. It's easy to shop online or are various hobby shops and department stores throughout the country, and you can find things in all price ranges. Just remember to get the right driver. His image and number are most likely sacred to the NASCAR fan in your life.

Learn more about this author, Marcia Studley.
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