2014 Press Pass NASCAR Blaster

2014 Press Pass:  Have a fun and safe 4th of July!  We'll kick this off with Brad Keselowski.  He's a one-time NASCAR champion and this season earned his first victory as a team owner.

These blasters are still pretty reasonable and have lots of past and current stars.  Joey Logano was only 24 at the time but would finish 4th in the 2014 standings.  He's now a two-time champion.  Mark Martin and Tony Stewart are also greats in the sport.  Stewart didn't start in NASCAR until he was 28 but won three championships.

They went horizontal as well in this release.  I do like the design overall.  The photos, color, car shot, and small print stating which level they are racing.  Works for me.

Giving Back inserts are a nice way of showing how the sport is involved with the community.

Hot Seat inserts give us nice shots of drivers in the seat which I like.

Had to show off Austin Dillon rocking the cowboy hat.  Matt Kenseth is a former champion and Kasey Kahne was always a fan favorite.

I like the Replay inserts highlighting moments from the season.

The backs are fine with a good shot of the car.  We also get a few stats which is a nice add.  Panini gives us no stats on their Donruss offering nowadays which is so frustrating.  Ryan Blaney was in the Truck Series back then but is now the reigning Cup Champion.

I do like Snapshots.  The Denny Hamlin photo really stands out.  Was happy to pull a Kyle Larson Rookie Card.  He's a favorite of my pop's and the 2021 champion.  Fun box of cards.  I could see myself purchasing more of these in the future if given the chance.  

BREAKDOWN:
32 – Total Cards
3 – Hot Seat
3 – Snapshots
3 – Giving Back
2 – Rookie Card
1 - Replay
1 – Color Proofs Magenta Parallel

Random Wax: 2021-2022 Illusions Basketball

21-22 Illusions:  NBA free agency kicked off this week and while LeBron is widely expected to stay with the Lakers, he is nonetheless the star of the free agent class. 

We see retired greats in this set alongside current stars and young players.  Finally posting this pack but that's a big part of the fun.  Looking back at where these players were at the time.  In 2020, Devin Booker was selected to the all-star team for the first time.  Khris Middleton and the Bucks were about to win 2021 NBA Championship.

All three of these players have had varied success with Josh Giddey the standout.  He was traded last week to Chicago for Alex Caruso.  He is also my Orange Parallel in this pack.

Giannis had just won his 2nd of two straight MVP awards.  This Chasing the Hall insert is nice though simplistic.

Larry Legend appearance.  Didn't like him until after he retired but I'm so glad I got to watch him play.  The man was amazing.  This is a small pack but a fun one with plenty of star power and memories.

BREAKDOWN:
12 – Total Cards
3 – RC
2 –Retired Greats
1 – Orange Parallel
1 – Chasing the Hall