RACING CARD HALL OF FAME – CLASS OF 2026

1988 Maxx Alan Kulwicki #58

The 1988 Maxx set is the first time NASCAR drivers were featured in wax packs. Card #58 is considered Alan Kulwicki ‘s rookie card. As a 2019 inductee to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Alan is one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest drivers and became the Cup Champion in 1992.

1988 Maxx Winston Cup Champion #87

Featuring Dale Earnhardt Sr. celebrating his 1987 Winston Cup Series championship with Kirk Shelmerdine and his crew, marking one of his early national trading card appearances. Often considered a de facto rookie or pre-rookie due to licensing issues that initially excluded a dedicated driver card for him, this card was reportedly short-printed, contributing to its scarcity and popularity among collectors.

1991 Pro Set John Force #17

This card is widely regarded as his rookie card (RC) in the mainstream 1991 Pro Set NHRA set. Issued as part of Pro Set’s inaugural NHRA Winston Drag Racing set, this card captures Force during his rising dominance in Funny Car racing, often highlighting his Castrol GTX sponsored vehicle. Highly sought after by collectors, this card represents an iconic piece of NHRA memorabilia for the 16-time champion.

1992 Grid F1 Michael Schumacher #51

Issued by Grid Motorcards as part of their 200-card set depicting Formula 1 drivers, teams, and historic moments.This base card features a classic portrait of a young Schumacher, capturing him early in his F1 career. Widely regarded as his true rookie card, this card has become a desired piece for F1 collectors due to Schumacher’s record seven World Championships and status as one of the greatest drivers in history.

1994 Maxx Medallion 1988 Maxx Redemption Dale Earnhardt #99

In 1988, Maxx Race Cards printed card #99 featuring “The Intimidator” for their inaugural set but withheld it from packs due to unresolved licensing agreements with Earnhardt. In 1994, Maxx officially released a limited run of just 999 copies through redemption certificates. Each redeemed card features the original 1988 design and a distinctive round gold authenticity numbered sticker on the front, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. These details distinguish it from base versions that later surfaced. This is the first sanctioned release of his elusive 1988 rookie.

1994 Wheels High Gear Dale Earnhardt Jr #183

Issued in Series 2, this card is widely regarded as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s true rookie card, this card was issued before his professional NASCAR debut in the then Busch Series (1996) and Cup Series (full-time in 2000). Part of the 1994 Wheels High Gear set focusing on Winston Cup and Busch Grand National drivers, this card captures the young Earnhardt Jr. as an up-and-coming talent from the legendary Earnhardt family.

1998 SP Authentic Richard Petty/Dale Earnhardt Sr Tradition Autograph #T1

Another epic card set from the 50th Anniversary year, the tradition autograph cards were inserted at a ratio of 1/288 packs. This card featuring autographs from Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, the only two 7 time Cup Champions at the time, was available via a redemption card.

1999 Press Pass Signings Dale Earnhardt Gold /100

A highly sought-after certified on-card autograph trading card from one of the most popular NASCAR insert sets of the era. The base Signings autograph is limited to /400, but this rare Gold parallel features Dale Earnhardt’s striking signature in gold ink and is serially numbered to just /100, making it significantly scarcer and more desirable among racing card collectors.

2000 Maxx Racers Ink Adam Petty #AP

This card was the first certified autograph release of the first ever promising fourth generation professional athlete from the legendary Petty racing family. Part of a 16-card insert set randomly packed at odds of about 1:144, it includes on-card signatures from top NASCAR stars of the era. Adam’s card holds special significance as one of his final authenticated autographs before his tragic death in a practice crash on May 12, 2000, at age 19.

2000 SP Authentic Sign of the Times Jimmie Johnson #JJ

In 2000, Upper Deck manufactured their SP NASCAR release. Included within these packs were the scarce and iconic SP sign of the Times autographs. This is the rookie card and first pack pulled autograph of 7 time Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson. In 2024 he became a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and is one of only three Cup drivers to win a staggering 7 NASCAR Cup championships.