NASCAR Diecast Sales for 2025 Crown Unlikely Heroes and Enduring Legends

Lionel Racing, the premier manufacturer of NASCAR diecast replicas, has unveiled its highly anticipated list of the top ten best-selling diecast cars from the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. The annual countdown, released throughout Wednesday, highlights a compelling blend of rising stars, established champions, and deeply resonant nostalgic pieces, offering a unique barometer of fan engagement and market appeal within the sport.

The 2025 sales figures reveal a fascinating narrative, continuing a trend where significant on-track moments translate directly into collector demand. This year’s results saw a significant sweep at the top, with cars affiliated with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his JR Motorsports organization dominating the highest echelons of the list.

The undisputed champion of 2025 diecast sales is the #40 JR Motorsports / Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet, driven by Justin Allgaier. This particular model, representing the base diecast without race damage, signifies the immense fan support for JR Motorsports’ inaugural foray into the NASCAR Cup Series. Allgaier’s emotional qualification for the Daytona 500, a historic moment for the team co-owned by Dale Jr. and his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, clearly resonated with collectors. Despite a challenging race that saw the car sustain front-end damage, Allgaier’s perseverance to secure a top-ten finish in the sport’s premier event underscored the team’s competitive spirit and fan dedication.

Following closely at number two is another iteration of the #40 JR Motorsports / Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet, this time the "raced version." This diecast meticulously recreates the car as it appeared after the gruelling Daytona 500, complete with battle scars and even a replica of the bearbond tape applied to the fender. The inclusion of this detailed raced version at such a high ranking further emphasizes the fan desire to own a piece of significant on-track history, particularly one tied to a milestone debut for a beloved organization.

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The third spot on the list is occupied by the raced version of Justin Allgaier’s #40 JR Motorsports / Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet, solidifying a remarkable sweep for the team and a testament to the enduring legacy and continued influence of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the sport, both as a driver and team owner. The success of these models speaks volumes about the emotional connection fans forge with racing, and their desire to immortalize memorable performances through tangible collectibles.

Looking back at previous years provides context for this year’s results. In 2024, Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself, though retired from full-time Cup competition, topped the charts with his Budweiser-backed Late Model car, proving his enduring popularity. The year prior, in 2023, Kevin Harvick’s throwback No. 29 car, a recreation of his 2001 scheme, captured the top spot, showcasing the power of nostalgia. Even 2022’s best-seller, Ross Chastain’s iconic wall-ride car from the Martinsville "Hail Melon" incident, was driven by a memorable, almost unbelievable on-track moment. These trends highlight that while current season success is crucial, historical significance and iconic drivers hold immense sway in the diecast market.

The #5 Hendrick / Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet, piloted by two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, secured the seventh and sixth positions on the 2025 list. The seventh-place entry is the "Phoenix raced version," commemorating Larson’s third-place finish at Phoenix Raceway that clinched his 2025 Cup Series title over Denny Hamlin. This victory marked Larson’s second Cup Series championship, a significant achievement that naturally translated into high demand for the replica of the car that carried him to the pinnacle of the sport. The sixth-ranked diecast is a special edition championship version of the same car, distinguished by a yellow windshield banner, yellow rear spoiler, and a prominent "NASCAR Cup Series champion" icon on the roof, replacing the traditional No. 5. The inclusion of both a raced version and a dedicated championship edition underscores the broad appeal of Larson’s championship season.

William Byron’s #24 Hendrick / Axalta Daytona 500 win Chevrolet also made a significant impact, claiming the fifth spot. Byron achieved a rare feat in 2025 by winning back-to-back Daytona 500s, becoming only the fifth driver in history to accomplish this. His victory in the season opener was a dramatic affair, capitalizing on a late-race multi-car incident to snatch the checkered flag. The "raced version" diecast features battle marks from the intense crown jewel event and confetti from Victory Lane, appealing to fans who appreciate the gritty reality of race-day action.

Chase Elliott, consistently a fan favorite and the sport’s Most Popular Driver for multiple years, secured the fourth position with his #9 Hendrick / NAPA Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta win Chevrolet (raced version). Elliott’s victory at his home track, achieved after navigating a race-halting pileup, was a significant moment for the Hendrick Motorsports driver. The special paint scheme, designed by an 11-year-old fan, added an extra layer of appeal to this particular diecast. Elliott’s history of top-selling diecasts, including wins in 2019, 2018, and 2016, further solidifies his status as a perennial sales driver in the diecast market.

The emergence of Shane van Gisbergen, the #88 Trackhouse / Red Bull Chevrolet, at number ten signals the growing international appeal within NASCAR and the significant impact of new talent. Red Bull’s return as a sponsor in 2025 coincided with van Gisbergen’s maiden Cup Series win at Sonoma Raceway, a dominant performance where he led the vast majority of the laps. This victory, the first for Red Bull in over 13 years, and his subsequent strong showings, including a top-ten oval finish at Kansas Speedway, have quickly made him a popular figure among fans and collectors.

Josh Berry’s #21 Wood Brothers / Motorcraft Chevrolet (Vegas raced version) landed at number nine, highlighting the enduring appeal of historic teams and breakthrough performances. Berry’s first career Cup Series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was a momentous occasion for the legendary Wood Brothers team, marking their 101st Cup Series victory. The raced version of this diecast, complete with confetti from Victory Lane, captures the excitement of this career milestone.

Rounding out the top ten is Connor Zilisch’s #87 Trackhouse / Red Bull Chevrolet. The teenaged sensation made his Cup Series debut in this Red Bull-sponsored car at COTA, and while the race ended in a DNF, he showcased flashes of brilliance in subsequent starts, including a career-best 11th at Atlanta. The diecast represents his initial foray into the Cup Series, appealing to fans eager to follow the next generation of NASCAR talent.

The 2025 Lionel Racing diecast sales list paints a vibrant picture of the NASCAR landscape. It underscores the continued power of established stars like Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, the significant impact of nostalgic schemes and legendary drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr., and the exciting emergence of new talent and teams. The success of the JR Motorsports entries at the very top of the list is a particularly strong indicator of the organization’s growing influence and the deep connection fans have with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s racing legacy. As the sport continues to evolve, the demand for these miniature replicas remains a steadfast indicator of fan passion and market trends.