Roger Diez: Gift guide for racing fans

In just a week, Santa will be loading up his sleigh for his annual trip around the world. If you’d like to give him a little help, here’s my annual gift guide for the race fan in your life.

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Is that special person a NASCAR fan? Then you’re in luck, because by visiting the NASCAR.com website and clicking on the “Shop” tab you’ll find a Christmas wonderland of gifts they’ll love. There are items for the fan of every driver including T-shirts, hats, diecast cars, and other memorabilia.

If your favorite NASCAR fan’s driver is Kevin Harvick you might want to double up before it’s too late. 2023 may be Harvick’s last season, as he contemplates retirement. That announcement will be made sometime after the new year. “Right now I’ll know that answer before we get to Daytona,” Harvick said. “I don’t really have a clear answer on that right now. I think as we get to Daytona, I know 100 percent that we will have a direction.”

You’ll also find a variety of memorabilia celebrating NASCAR’s 75th anniversary. My favorite is a T-shirt harking back to the sport’s early days when racing was a weekend pastime for moonshine runners. “Running jars, racing cars,” was apparently the motto back then.

Another historical give is a book titled “50 First Victories,” which chronicles the first wins in NASCAR’s top series by legends of the sport. Written by Al Pearce and Mike Hembree, the hardcover list price is $35, available on Amazon for $28.49. The Kindle edition $9.99.

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If your favorite gearhead is a Formula 1 fan, hit Formula1.com and click on the “Authentics” tab for team clothing, replica and miniature helmets, race-used car parts, and items made from race-used materials (carbon fiber pens, wheel tether bracelets, and many others). Or if you have an unlimited budget, get them tickets to a race. The Las Vegas Grand Prix has some really good deals, like the pair of tickets included with your stay at an MGM property (three nights minimum, $1,700 per night plus assorted fees). At least you can drive down and save on airfare.

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Click the “Shop” tab on the NTT IndyCar series website for apparel, diecast cars, glassware, patches, stickers, books like Romain Grosjean’s “Facing Death” covering his career, struggles, and his horrific F1 accident. There’s everything the IndyCar fan could want to find under the tree or in their stocking. If you want race tickets, the season finale at Laguna Seca is within driving distance, and much more reasonably priced than the Las Vegas F1 race.

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Finally, for the race fan who wants to experience “what it’s like out there,” a stint at a racing experience or a racing school might be in order. Exotics Racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a good place to start. Five laps at speed in a Porsche is a mere $199, perhaps the cheapest track time you’ll find. $299 buys you five laps in a Ferrari, Aston Martin, Audi R8, Acura NSX, or other supercars. And for $399 you can take those five laps in a McLaren. Or you can double up with five laps in a Ferrari F430 F1 and five more in a Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 for a mere $538. Other custom packages are available. Just go to exoticsracing.com to schedule your experience.

If your gearhead is a NASCAR fan, the Richard Petty Driving Experience would be the perfect gift. A three-lap ride-along with a professional instructor is $215. Track time behind the wheel starts at $499.99 for five minutes up to 48 minutes (six 8-minute sessions) for $3,099.99. Go to drivepetty.com to buy a gift certificate and make a reservation.