Were you expecting Chase Elliott to be at the top of the Lionel Racing list of the top-10 best-selling diecast of 2023? If so, the newly-retired Kevin Harvick would like to have a word with you.
Lionel released its official best-sellers list on Tuesday, which was topped by the No. 29 Busch Light Ford Mustang, a tribute scheme that Kevin Harvick carried in his final NASCAR All-Star Race at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway.
The design itself was a tribute to his first paint scheme at NASCAR’s top-level, which made its on-track debut at Rockingham Speedway, one week following the death of NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt.
In this instance, Harvick carried the No. 29, the same number he wore on the side of his racecar for much of his career in the NASCAR Cup Series, while at Richard Childress Racing, before making the move to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014.
This year’s list also includes one major surprise — the absence of Chase Elliott from the top-five. Despite being voted Most Popular Driver for the last six seasons, Elliott’s highest-ranking diecast was his No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet, which ranked eighth.
Erik Jones and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB were ranked second-place on the list, with the No. 42 Guns N’ Roses Chevrolet Camaro, which the Byron, Michigan-native got behind the wheel of in the season-opening Daytona 500.
Kyle Busch was ranked in third-place with his race-winning No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro from Auto Club Speedway, the Las Vegas, Nevada-native’s first victory with Richard Childress Racing.
Ryan Blaney, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion, ranked fourth with his No. 12 Menards / Dutch Boy Ford Mustang, while the diecast replica of the late Dale Earnhardt’s 1998 Daytona 500 winning vehicle, rounded out the top five.
Of the best-sellers listed by Lionel Racing, only Kevin Harvick, the now-retired champion of the NASCAR Cup Series, is listed more than once, bookending the list. While Erik Jones, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Dale Earnhardt, Shane Van Gisbergen, Chase Elliott, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. each make a single appearance on the list.
Lionel Racing – Top-10 Best-Selling Diecast of 2023:
- Kevin Harvick – #29 Busch Light Ford Mustang (North Wilkesboro)
- Erik Jones – #43 Guns N’ Roses Chevrolet Camaro (Daytona 500)
- Kyle Busch – #8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro (Auto Club – Race Win)
- Ryan Blaney – #12 Menards / Dutch Boy Ford Mustang
- Dale Earnhardt – #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1998 Daytona 500)
- NASCAR – 75th Anniversary Chevrolet Camaro
- Shane Van Gisbergen – #91 Embrace Health Chevrolet Camaro (Chicago)
- Chase Elliott – #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro
- Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – #88 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Late Model
- Kevin Harvick – #4 Budweiser Ford Mustang (Homestead)
