After a lengthy wait, Lionel Racing has officially revealed Wave 3 of its 2025 line of NASCAR Authentics 1:64-scale NASCAR die-cast cars.
This wave of NASCAR Authentics features nine drivers, including two NASCAR Xfinity Series cars, two Late Models, and five NASCAR Cup Series Cars.
Among the notable additions are Dale Earnhardt Jr’s 2025 Bass Pro Shops Late Model and Kasey Kahne’s Hendrickcars.com No. 33 Xfinity Series car, and a Kyle Larson Valvoline chase piece.
For Kahne, who made his return to NASCAR action at Rockingham with Richard Childress Racing in the spring, this is his first appearance in the NASCAR Authentics line since Wave 11 of 2018.
The Authentics line is a basic version of Lionel’s main line ARC die-casts, and it is sold in retail stores such as Walmart and Target. Each year, Lionel typically releases 12 waves on Authentics; however, in 2024, they released nine, and this year, they have only revealed the first three.
To say that the reveal of the 2025 NASCAR Authentics line has been slow is an understatement. Wave 1 was announced on May 19, followed by Wave 2 on June 4. The reason for the 118-day wait for Wave 3 is unknown.
However, it is worth noting that Lionel has been significantly impacted by tariffs this year.
The brand, which is the exclusive producer of NASCAR die-cast, even announced a temporary “halt” in the production of its main line of die-cast in late April, though Lionel reopened orders in early May. Lionel Racing also announced an overhaul of it’s ARC 1:64 line in late June, making diecast metal chassis and rubber wheels standard for their top line of 1:64 die-cast.
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