Wheldon was no ordinary driver.  He was a two-time Indy 500 winner who was cut down in the prime of his career.  A piece of memorabilia signed by multiple Indy winners isn't complete without Wheldon, but sadly many of those items race fans love will be incomplete.

Racer Autographs tracked the prices of Wheldon autographs on eBay from a roughly three-month period before his death on October 16 to another three-month stretch immediately after the wreck.

From July 15 to October 12, the average price for a Wheldon signature on eBay was $9.60.  Just over 40% of the listings created during that time priod actually sold.  You could buy a Wheldon autographed photo for less than $15--often less than $10.  No one had a die-cast car up on the block during that time.

From Oct. 16 to January 13, however, those numbers changed dramatically.  There were 476 listings for "Dan Wheldon autograph" according to our research.  The average price of an autograph from the late racer from recorded sales during that period was $69.27 and 66% of those items listed actually sold.  The going rate for a photo is now around $50.

Dan Wheldon autographs will likely continue to see a price increase.  More will wind up in the hands of collectors, creating a larger demand from those seeking to add them to a collection amid what appears to be a very limited supply.  We wish he was still on the track, still signing away for free and keeping the value down.

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DAN WHELDON 2011 INDY 500 WINNERS COIN 500 VERY RARE RIP UN SIGNED    US $74.99

DAN WHELDON SIGNED PHOTO AUTOGRAPH PRINT POSTER INDY 500    US $7.88

DAN WHELDON 2007 INDY RC ROOKIE AUTO AUTOGRAPH IRL RACING RITTENHOUSE    US $39.99

DAN WHELDON AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED INDY 500 NATIONAL GUARD RACING CAR PHOTO IRL COA    US $119.99

Dan Wheldon Indianapolis 500 Champion SIGNED Plaque Card Photo COA Indy Racing    US $79.99

Indy 500 art print SIGNED X 33 Danica Dairo Dan Wheldon Helio and more MINT    US $375.00

DAN WHELDON Signed Autograph 2005 INDIANAPOLIS INDY 500 OFFICIAL PROGRAM    US $399.99

2007 Rittenhouse on card autograph Dan Wheldon    US $59.99

Dan Wheldon Signed Target 7x9 Photo COA    US $24.99

Dan Wheldon Scott Dixon autograph signed Target Racing fitted hat INDY CAR    US $49.99

DAN WHELDON SIGNED AUTO INDIANAPOLIS 500 CARD RIP IRL    US $49.99

DAN WHELDON STRATOSPHERE AUTOGRAPH IZOD LAS VEGAS TICKET PLAQUE 10 15 16 2011    US $1,000.00

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Most sports fans have a hard time understanding historical perspective. They live in the moment, which means they don't quite understand greatness until many years later. This issue with sports fans represents and opportunity for the savvy memorabilia buyer. What Johnson has done in the last four years is historically great and he's not done yet.

Still, even if he were to never win another race, his four straight titles rank as possibly the most impressive feat in the history of auto racing. When people look back on this time, Johnson will be remembered with NASCAR greats like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. His signed memorabilia will hold similar value as those drivers.

Right now, autographed Jimmie Johnson pieces are significantly undervalued. Prospective buyers can purchase authentic, hand-signed mini helmets for less than $100. They can purchase signed photographs for similar prices. Signed Dale Earnhardt memorabilia regularly sells for three times that price. This is mostly because individuals just don't hold the historical perspective of Jimmie Johnson at this point. They see him as a popular current driver, missing the point that his name will be remembered forever in the annals of driving history.

The value of Jimmie Johnson autographs is at a current low point, and it can only be expected to rise in the future. His memorabilia will continue to grow more valuable with every future championship, and he is significant beyond just racing circles. As a driver, Johnson has crossed over into the mainstream of sports, capturing attention from those who have would not otherwise recognize racing. This, too, adds to the future value of his autographed memorabilia. When all is said and done, autographed Jimmie Johnson memorabilia will be priced right up there with Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, and Dale Earnhardt. He could be remembered as the all-time greatest driver in the history of racing, and owning those items then will represent an excellent selling opportunity.

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Jimmie Johnson 2004 124 Scale Team Caliber Die Cast Replica    US $19.99

LOWES GIFT CARD TIN JIMMY JOHNSON NASCAR    US $.99

Jimmie Johnson NASCAR Diecast display cabinet 124 New    US $109.99

JIMMIE JOHNSON WINNERS CIRCLE FROM 2007 IN GREAT SHAPE    US $.99

Jimmie Johnson 48 signed 2007 Lowes Kobalt 124 PSA    US $109.99

2007 Wheels Nascar 54 Jimmie Johnson    US $.15

Jimmie Johnson 48 Chevy 15 CARD LOT NO DUPS NICE LOT    US $.01

NASCAR ZIPBOT RACE SET W 24 JEFF GORDON 48 JIMMIE JOHNSON NIB BATT INCLD    US $5.09

JIMMY JOHNSON 48 NASCAR DECAL 6X7    US $5.99

Jimmie Johnsons Anything with an Engine Sony Playstation 3 2011 PS3    US $9.00

Jimmie Johnson 1 24 Elite 2006 Lowes 0372    US $99.99

Employee Exclusive Jimmie Johnson Coin    US $5.99

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The number or circuits raced including NASCAR, Indy Car, Formula One, NHRA and local dirt tracks offer up a huge and seemingly endless number of drivers. Considering the pit crews, owners, crew chiefs, and different types of items to get signed, the limitations are really up to the imagination of the collector.

Scale vehicles look great signed, but so do tires, cards, pictures, and pieces of the car. The fact that many NASCAR drivers run with several different paint jobs in a given season only increases the amount of items that you can get signed.

Still, even more variations exist on the racing autographs market. Some of the coolest collectibles are checkered flags, and having the winners of a certain race sign each of the checkers can be a great and valuable collectible.

Even having only series champions sign an item, or an entire team, or the entire pit crew, makes for some very interesting and sentimental collectibles.

Some collectors are just looking to get index cards or the oversized photo cards signed.

Obtaining pieces of driver uniforms and race-used memorabilia makes for some unique collectibles as well. Helmets, fire suits, and gloves are available on the secondary collectibles market, but can get a little pricey. Obviously, the more famous the driver, owner, or crew chief the more expensive the object is likely to be.

Many different types of people collect racing autographs for a number of different reasons.  Racing professionals in all segments of the sport tend to be some of the most approachable sports stars in the world.  Whether they are at the track or not, these people are usually very accommodating when it comes to their fans as long as it isn't a mob scene. This is a great scenario for fans and collectors.

No matter if tickets have to be purchased for a signing event or if you are lucky enough to have access while at the track, having an item ready to be signed is key to completing an autograph project.

With a little preparation and a little imagination, collecting racing autographs can be a lifelong pursuit. The signatures received will pale by comparison to the memories created by chasing the autographs and having brief interactions with the folks behind the Sharpie. The fact that so many different experiences are out there waiting is what makes collecting racing memorabilia a great complement to following the races.

Cars signed by retired Cup winners, such as legends Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough are always highly sought after, as are cars signed by newer Cup winners, including Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart.

Autographed diecasts of a driver's current car are easier to find, which makes signed versions of older cars and limited run cars even more collectible. Cars that are no longer in production are a popular choice, such as a Pontiac or an Oldsmobile. If the car was signed by a name driver, such as a Yarborough Oldsmobile, it's sure to have a lot of collectors chasing it in eBay auctions.

Also highly collectible are signed cars with sponsors that are no longer featured in NASCAR. For instance, Winston Cup cars are more in demand in the current market than Nextel Cup cars, and any car with tobacco sponsorship is also collectible, especially if the driver is a big name.

The highest demand signed die-cast cars are those that feature the signatures of drivers who have passed away.  While Dale Earnhardt memorabilia is by far the most popular of all NASCAR drivers, cars signed by Davey Allison, who also died at the height of his career, are valuable as well.

Earnhardt cars are a great example of all the features that add value to a NASCAR collectible diecast coming together at once. An autographed diecast from Earnhardt's days racing for Sundrop soft drinks or Wrangler denim, which were both Winston series cars, are among the most valuable on the market today. Earnhardt signed diecasts can fetch well over $500 each.

As for the cars themselves, the bigger the better. The larger 1:64 diecasts, which are more expensive to begin with, retain their value better than the small versions, such as the popular Hot Wheel size.

The bottom line is, if you are a racing fan or are looking for a gift for someone who is, you can't go wrong with autographed die-casts of your favorite driver. Today's souvenir will likely be tomorrow's collectible, and could be worth many times more than what you initially pay for it.

There's no reason to confine your search for a comprehensive autograph collection to NASCAR or Formula One or Indy Car. It might be helpful to focus on the type of racing you enjoy most first, since that will likely be your best chance of getting the most signatures the quickest. Once you see your collection of autographed racing items growing, you'll no doubt gain confidence and be enthusiastic about searching for even more autographs in the other great areas of the sport you might be interested in.

In the event that you only watch one type of racing, when you start branching out to the other series, you might even find some new interests. Racing lovers always appreciate learning as much as they can about cars and speed. Furthering your understanding of a time of racing you may have only had a passing interest in is often as fulfilling as all the new autographs you'll acquire.

You can get your autographs on anything. Some people collect signed racing photos or hats, while others buy memorabilia like plaques or die-cast cars. Some like race-used items.

To make the task of collecting your racer autographs a little more fun and orderly, consider using a theme. You can create a collection of signed items from Daytona 500 or Indy 500 winners or you could do a collection of racers who were champions in their series multiple times. NASCAR's new Hall of Fame creates a great opportunity to collect signed items from the inductees.

Be forewarned, though. If you are trying to get a perfect autograph collection it will take a lot of hard work. Getting the perfect autograph collection is going to cost you a little time and money. However, if you're a racing fanatic as soon as you "get it in gear" you will be having a blast accumulating signed racing memorabilia from a wide spectrum of drivers and personalities past and present. The great thing is that there are no right and wrong ways to do it. What you collect and how you do it is up to you.

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NASCAR Autographed MARK MARTIN 124 DEI US Army stock race car photgraph COA    US $89.00

CASEY MEARS SIGNED NASCAR WINSTON CUP Auto Racing Photo    US $.99

AJ Foyt signed NASCAR advertisement    US $15.00

David Green Signed NASCAR Hat PA LOA    US $12.99

Bill Elliott Signed NASCAR Hat PA LOA    US $12.99

Michael Waltrip Signed NASCAR Hat PA LOA    US $12.99

Joe Nemechek Signed NASCAR Hat PA LOA    US $12.99

2011 KEVIN HARVICK 33 RHEEM MENARDS AUTOGRAPHED NASCAR 124 DIECAST W COA 1 601    US $38.99

NASCAR ECLIPSE PRESS PASS KEVIN HARVICK AUTOGRAPHED NEXTEL CUP    US $7.00

NASCAR Unocal Fuel Can Roush Kenseth TEAM SIGNED    US $250.00

AUTH DALE EARNHARDT 3 SIGNED NASCAR WARNER BROS LITHO    US $770.00

Richard Petty Autographed Program from 1992 Nascar Champion 400 Race Michigan    US $30.00

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NASCAR, IndyCar and NHRA signatures are typically worth less than $50—most much less. A special piece signed by Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson or Dale Earnhardt Jr. will often exceed the $50 figure, of course.  Deceased drivers such as NASCAR’s Davey Allison and Alan Kulwicki or those in other sports who have met death at an early age can sell for $75-125, or more depending on the item.  Unlike their baseball counterparts, however, NASCAR autograph collectors generally focus on current stars or living legends.  Items signed by the late Dale Earnhardt usually go for $100-200 each, again unless the signed item is of special significance or quality.  Fireball Roberts and Curtis Turner are also valuable.

Many collectors get autographs on die-cast race cars.  That flies in the face of the logic that says the value is in the car itself.  Others believe it an autographed die cast is worth more.  A good rule is to know the value of the die-cast car itself.  Adding a lower tier driver’s autograph to a high value car might not be a good idea.    The most popular signed die-cast cars are the 1:24 scale.  Most believe it’s best to get your autograph on the windshield, hood or roof.  Others prefer the 1:64 size cars with the autograph placed  on the outside packaging.  It’s a good point.  Smearing an autograph is much less likely.

Where do you get racing autographs to build your collection?  EBay  auctions, of course, are a fair market way to get racing  autographs.  Be sure to check your seller’s feedback, the history of the signed item and also learn as much as you can about a driver’s signature.  Dealing with sellers who offer a money-back guarantee on authenticity is not a bad idea.

Getting free autographs from drivers is certainly the cheapest route to go, but it will take some effort.  Drivers make a lot of personal appearances in areas where they’re racing and corporate signings in areas they’ll visit as part of a their contract. They also do charity functions.  Some even hold charity events themselves and are more than willing to add their autograph to a special race-used piece or other item if you’re willing to bid on things in the auctions that usually accompany those events.   The internet is a good place to locate driver appearances.

Some drivers actually conduct autograph sessions at the souvenir trailers they bring to each race site.  Whether you’re going to a personal appearance at a shopping center, a charity event or to the track, just remember that a lot of people have the same idea you do.  Get there very early and be patient.

You can also get autographs through the mail.  Most driver websites or fan club sites will contain information on where to send your item and how to have the best chance of getting it returned to you properly.  Again, however, you must be patient.  It can take months for drivers to fulfill the mountain of requests they receive.

Interaction with a driver is a part of the autograph experience that sometimes means more that the signature itself.  But don’t get so caught up in the moment that you don’t take a picture to help you document its authenticity.   Racing is full of collecting opportunities, but autographs might be the cheapest, most rewarding segment among racing hobbyists.

• A driver can lose from five to 10 pounds during the course of a race.

• A single NASCAR tire weighs in at 75 pounds.

• The temperature inside a car can reach 140 degrees.
A new book for children from the creators of the endearing Chicken Soup series highlights a number of other fun NASCAR facts. Delivering the ultimate race journal experience, "Chicken Soup for the Soul NASCAR Xtreme Race Journal for Kids" (HCI $9.95) is filled with trivia, race facts, track facts, games and journal entries. It also features a chapter for every race track across the country.

The introduction covers NASCAR history, jargon, crew responsibilities and stock car diagrams. Youngsters can use the book to track and record their favorite driver's progress through the entire season in their own words and memories.

If you're looking for a special gift for a young NASCAR fan, you might consider the book--along with an autograph from their favorite driver found here at RacingAutograph.com.

Sure, he shares the same namesake as one of NASCAR’s true greats and it does nothing but help, but what really brought him the levels of popularity he experiences today is his own personality and talent.  While he may be Dale Earnhardt’s son, Dale Jr. has certainly proven himself on the track and has become an incredible driver and marketing force in his own right.  To grab a Dale Earnhardt Jr. autograph is really the holy grail for today’s NASCAR collector.

Junior’s autograph has been in high demand since he first began experiencing success in the Cup series.  Getting his signature on a die-cast car, a poster or other piece of racing memorabilia quickly becomes the centerpiece of some collections.

At auction, autographed Dale Earnhardt Jr. memorabilia, including signed trading cards, signed t shirts, signed photos, and signed posters, along with other memorabilia has been sold for relatively high prices.  Rare or framed pieces can sell for thousands of dollars.  Being one of the most popular NASCAR drivers to date means that fans may have to pay top dollar to get his autograph, but any true enthusiast will tell you that it is well worth the cost.  Junior doesn’t dodge his fans as much as he could, but life in the fishbowl can be tough sometimes and you won’t find Junior stopping for long periods of time.  Getting a pit pass, a ticket to a sponsor event or just being in the right place at the right time is important if you want a shot to get a scribble.

Of all the signed Earnhardt items, none is more sought after and cherished as something which includes both Junior and his deceased father.  A single piece of memorabilia with both Earnhardt signatures is rare.  If you are lucky enough to find this rare piece of NASCAR history, you can expect to pay a pretty penny for it.

High-end, dual autographed piece of memorabilia can fetch over $10,000 at the auction block.  Most, however, won’t cost you that much.  Getting Junior’s autograph next to something that was signed a decade ago or more by his dad is a true accomplishment and many have been fortunate enough to do it.

Because of his popularity, Dale Earnhardt Jr. autographs are incredibly sought after by collectors and fans alike.  You’ll find a number of signed memorabilia here at RacingAutograph.com from a wide variety of sellers.   It’s probably a lot easier than trying to track him down in person!

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Dale Earnhardt Jr Diecast Cabinet Holds 8 124 New and ready to display LK    US $109.99

NASCAR Dale Earnhardt Jr Tribute to Sr Diecast display Cabinet Limited amount    US $109.99

2008 National Guard Dale Earnhardt Jr 88 Lenticular 3D Morph Poster    US $35.00

Dale Earnhardt Jr 3 Nilla Wafers    US $1.99

Dale Earnhardt Jr All Around Design Shirt Size X Large Selling NR NASCAR    US $12.95

Dale Earnhardt Jr New Amp Tee Shirt Size XX Large    US $12.95

Dale Earnhardt Jr New Mountain Dew Tee Shirt XX Large    US $10.95

Dale Earnhardt Jr New Amp Tee Shirt Size Large Selling At No Reserve NASCAR    US $12.95

Dale Earnhardt Jr Amp Tee Shirt Size XX Large Selling At No Reserve NASCAR    US $12.95

2003 Dale Earnhardt Jr Action 8 Monte Carlo    US $25.00

1 24 DALE EARNHARDT JR 88 NATIONAL GUARD GM DEALERS DIECAST 09 1 OF 2196    US $30.00

1 24 DALE EARNHARDT JR88 09 NATIONAL GUARD GM DEALERS 1 OF 2196    US $30.00

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Even if you are an ardent fan, camping out at the track to secure those coveted NASCAR autographs, there is still plenty of knowledge to soak up.  NASCAR history is fascinating and it boasts diverse tracks and an ever-changing rule set.

If you are new to NASCAR or are a stock-car racing fan who might be anxious to cement your knowledge of the sport and new technologies, there may be a book just for you.

The always popular yellow-and-black series has published the third edition of 'NASCAR For Dummies' (Wiley Publishing, Inc.), written by popular and acclaimed driver Mark Martin.

The book offers up-to-date information on the three NASCAR national racing series, as well as the eight regional series and even one local grassroots competition. In case you did not know, NASCAR sanctions 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in the United States, Canada and Mexico.)

The book also offers detailed information on the controversial "Car of Tomorrow," or COT, a new type of vehicle that has replaced the standard car design that had been the Cup Series standard since 1981. In addition, NASCAR For Dummies covers racing strategy, the point system, and NASCAR safety requirements.

It is comprehensive, handy as a resource tool and come to think of it, not a bad thing on which to collect your NASCAR autographs either.

Click here to buy NASCAR For Dummies

As in other sports, it is often best to try and come early. Drivers are more relaxed earlier in the week. If you come on race day expecting to score, you might be disappointed. But don’t be shy any day of the wek. It does not hurt to ask. You might be told ‘later’ or just be ignored completely, but sometimes a driver will sign. Don’t be pushy, obnoxious or rude.

Talk to other fans and NASCAR autograph hounds to find out exactly where on the grounds you can go and where the drivers might be. Some tracks allow fans closer than others with drivers and crew chiefs close enough to interact with, especially in the non-Cup series events.

Of course, the sport has superstars who will be nearly impossible to pin down. They could literally sign all day and not accommodate everyone. They will probably have security with them and those guys do not have a problem saying no. You might try to approach lesser known drivers first, get your courage up and score maybe score the autograph of a future NASCAR star.

Again, ask around to try and learn where those drivers might be at a certain time. They will often sign while walking to their garage or to their trailer.

If you are persistent and follow a driver, you are more likely to catch the driver in a free moment when you can ask for an autograph or a photograph.

Promotional events are still the best places to get in-person NASCAR signatures, but you will need to be very patient, get there very early and prepare to be ushered through the table area without any conversation beyond ‘hello’.

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NASCAR Autographed MARK MARTIN 124 DEI US Army stock race car photgraph COA    US $89.00

CASEY MEARS SIGNED NASCAR WINSTON CUP Auto Racing Photo    US $.99

AJ Foyt signed NASCAR advertisement    US $15.00

David Green Signed NASCAR Hat PA LOA    US $12.99

Bill Elliott Signed NASCAR Hat PA LOA    US $12.99

Michael Waltrip Signed NASCAR Hat PA LOA    US $12.99

Joe Nemechek Signed NASCAR Hat PA LOA    US $12.99

2011 KEVIN HARVICK 33 RHEEM MENARDS AUTOGRAPHED NASCAR 124 DIECAST W COA 1 601    US $38.99

NASCAR ECLIPSE PRESS PASS KEVIN HARVICK AUTOGRAPHED NEXTEL CUP    US $7.00

NASCAR Unocal Fuel Can Roush Kenseth TEAM SIGNED    US $250.00

AUTH DALE EARNHARDT 3 SIGNED NASCAR WARNER BROS LITHO    US $770.00

Richard Petty Autographed Program from 1992 Nascar Champion 400 Race Michigan    US $30.00

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