Diecast NASCAR models are a major collectible, and while the NASCAR world reels from Kyle Busch’s sudden death a week ago, collectors have been left scratching their heads over a recent development. 

Lionel Racing had partnered up with Spire and Hendrickcars.com to make 1:24 and 1:64 diecast models for all Truck, NOAPS, and Cup cars featuring the Hendrick livery, including Busch's No. 7 truck, Larson's No. 5 car Cup car, and the No. 17 and No. 88 Chevrolets driven by Corey Day and Rajah Caruth in  NOAPS. 

Lionel Racing had earlier announced a special Salute version of all four cars, including that of Kyle Busch, featuring the special liveries in place for the Memorial Day race at Charlotte.

However, as of now, Busch’s Charlotte car will not be available in either the 1:24 or 1:64 size, either as an individual piece or in the four-pack collection, which has also been cancelled.

Per High Line Diecast Collectibles, the Kyle Busch No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado Salute car is unavailable, and Lionel Racing has cancelled the model without releasing a statement. 

While they cancelled the Charlotte car, their website still features the option to buy several other Kyle Busch trucks and cars, along with his No. 7 truck from his last race win in Dover on May 15. 

Speculations have risen as to the cause of the cancellation. Many fans are theorizing that a request could have been made by the Busch family or Hendrick Motorsports to cancel the diecast models. It seems unlikely that Lionel Racing will make the call unless it had serious business inefficiencies to deal with.

Kyle Busch’s Diecast Car Models: Every Collector's Dream

While the No. 7 HMS-sponsored truck Kyle Busch was going to drive is unavailable to be ordered, there are several iconic diecast models of the late icon's multiple wins across his NASCAR career. 

Busch won his last truck race in Dover. It was a record-extending 69th Truck Series win and his 264th overall across the three NASCAR tiers. Busch’s iconic drives include his No. 18 Toyota, which he drove for Joe Gibbs Racing before moving to Richard Childress Racing. 

Busch and M&M livery went hand in hand, a yellow base for both the car and Busch’s race suit. His 2015 championship-winning car with confetti accents is one for the collectors, and another is the 1:24 scale 2014 Platinum Series M&M 1 in 100 Peanuts livery Toyota, also driven during his time at JGR. 

In his time at Richard Childress Racing, two cars were quite popular. One is the No. 8 2023 Lenovo Elite Chevrolet and the 2024 Lucas Oil/FICO Chevrolet. Even though the last car designed for Kyle Busch before his passing will not be available in the diecast version, fans can still buy cars celebrating Busch’s iconic wins.

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Debrup Chaudhuri

Edited by

Yask Kotak