For the first time since the fall of 2014, NASCAR will have a trading card partner.
Panini America CEO Mark Warsop announced Tuesday night at the Industry Summit in Hawaii that the company had reached an agreement to produce NASCAR-licensed cards beginning with the current season.
NASCAR has been searching for a licensee since Press Pass went out of business in January of last year.
Warsop said Panini had been in discussions with NASCAR officials for “many months.”
The 2016 season is underway and Warsop indicated only four products would be released this season including Prizm, Certified and National Treasures along with a newly labeled “Torque” product. He said the company would review its program throughout the year. No specific release dates were given.
Panini has never produced racing cards in the United States but holds the exclusive NBA license and will have the sole NFL trading card contract beginning this spring.
Panini also announced it would be releasing a Flawless product for FIFA soccer later this year, likely the most expensive soccer trading card product ever produced.
They also previewed plans for ‘Donruss Optic’, a glossy-type version of the brand that will be used in baseball, football and basketball products.