Got NASCAR memorabilia?

Waverly shoppers find lots to buy at Racing Fan Fair.
By Casey LewisSpecial to the Star-Gazette
WAVERLY -- NASCAR memorabilia was a big draw at Waverly's Racing Fan Fair on Wednesday afternoon.

Vendor Joanne Schwarz of Johnson City, who owns 07 Racing Collectibles in Endwell, said she comes to Waverly every year to sell collectibles before the Nextel Cup race at Watkins Glen International.

"NASCAR racing is very popular, and there's a race at the Glen this weekend and people need new outfits," she said.

Brad Barber, 36, of Hector, who owns a NASCAR and sports card shop in Ithaca called 4-Seasons Cards, said his business picks up just before the WGI race.

"Down here, it's local. They are going after their favorite drivers. They're diehard fans and loyal to their driver and sponsors. People save their money to buy memorabilia near the race (date)," Barber said.

Collectible favorites ranged from hats to flags to Matchbox cars.

For Barber, models of the new Car of Tomorrow developed by NASCAR were selling best.

The full-size Car of Tomorrow, which will run at Watkins Glen International this weekend, is designed to keep drivers safe.

But it wasn't the Car of Tomorrow that held the interest of Bob Park, 58, and his grandson, Thomas Cook, 10, both of Sayre.

Thomas, who attributes his love of NASCAR to his grandfather, was on the prowl for a T-shirt of his favorite driver, Matt Kenseth. "I've been a fan for two or three years," said the boy, who also owns around 15 NASCAR toys.

Toy cars were selling on Wednesday.

Schwarz said the new 2007 Diecast cars were the hot sellers. But she also said that Jeff Gordon items were selling fast in Waverly.

"Don't ask me why," she said.