Random Wax: 2023 NASCAR Donruss

 2023 Donruss:  NASCAR playoffs start today at Darlington.  Darrell Waltrip is not only a 3X champion but was one of the great personalities in the sport.  He went toe-to-toe with Dale Earnhardt for a long time and had some great head-to-head races.  He also finished top 10 in the standings 18 times in his amazing career.

Bubba Wallace had a huge win at Indy this year and is locked into the playoff field as is his team owner, Denny Hamlin.

Young drivers from the different levels within NASCAR (Cup, Xfinity, and Truck) all get their time on cardboard.

Another nice Bubba pull on this Optic 1990 Donruss Carolina Blue Parallel.  There are three Optic cards per pack.

Car photos are always fun.

Ben Rhodes is a 2X NASCAR Truck Series Champion.  I'm a big fan of the 1990 Donruss design and like its inclusion here.

Race Queens and Race Kings are always fun.  The diamond is representative of NASCAR's 75th anniversary.  Not a favorite design of mine but I do get a Kyle Busch pull and he's my favorite driver in the sport today.

I like the thought here but more times than not I don't get the "Under the Lights" vibe from the photos.  Kevin Harvick is retired and now an announcer but is a past champion and was top 10 in the standings 18 times including his rookie year.  

Kyle Larson has struggled of late but is one of the great racers in the sport today.  I'm not sure about  the Elite Series inserts.  The design isn't Elite to me, but I like the Dale Jr. pull.

Inclusions of retired greats like Mark Martin is a big part of this set.  Always fun.  I'll be rooting for my favorite drivers, Bubba and Chase Elliott, in the playoffs which run through 2 November.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
11 – 1990 Donruss 
4 – Retired Greats
3 – Optic
3 – Race Kings/Queens
3 – Carolina Blue Parallel
2 – Elite Series
2 – Under the Lights
1 – Car
1 – Unleashed
1 – Silver Parallel
1 – Bronze Parallel
1 – Checker Parallel