  The real thing: William Byron wheeling the number 24 Camaro on the high banks of Daytona February 18th, 2024 (Photograph by Joel Bray)
Paint and Printing: (3 Points/3) Let's get the good stuff out of the way early. There's no way around it, Lionel is doing some impressive work in 1/64 scale. New methods and technology in graphic design and production are allowing the company to more accurately recreate real life details. When you compare the real car to the one that you can hold in your hand, it really is amazing to see what's possible.  The car has a base coat of plain white. Other features are jet black, those being the splitter, spoiler, roof rails, B post, and rocker panels. Both the base coat and secondary painted details are really well done, certainly to the normal quality of the Gold Line. The painted colors all match the 1/1 version correctly and give the product a premium feel. Another added feature of the 'Winner's Circle' line are the printed details on the front and rear windscreens. On the front, the printed details include the windscreen supports, as well as the anti-glare banner and driver identifier. But it gets better, obviously there's copious amounts of confetti, but you can also make out the neon tape used to indicate to the pit crew members where to pull to remove the windscreen tear-offs. That is impressive. The same characteristics can be found on the rear window as well. The only thing I can't think of that could be improved is the addition of the neon indicators where the wedge wrench can be inserted.  On top of the base coat are the printed details. The fluorescent orange flames are what bring this car its character. Axalta typically has more variation in their paint schemes, so this is a simpler version. The neon #24 brings the race car up to an iconic status, and the bold black 'Axalta' titles adorn the hood, quarter panels, roof, deck lid and the tv panel. These are all nicely proportioned, and they are painted nicely. Each of the 24 team's associate sponsors for the 2024 season have representation as well, HP, Liberty University, Hendrickcars.com, Relay, and Valvoline all have decals on the car. The Nascar sanctioned sitckers are all there as well (Goodyear, Sunoco). One minor issue that I found was the Hendrick 40th anniversary sticker located at the base of the C post only seems to have been applied on the right side of the car. There's a chance that it does exist on the left side, but if it is there, it is in the wrong position and covered in confetti.  This car really is a masterclass in paint and printing, and while there are issues, (I think it is obvious that the iconic indented Camaro grill decal was applied at about a 1 degree angle) you really can't be upset with what's being offered by Lionel in this category. But this car won't be getting full marks for other reasons. There are letdowns left to discuss.  Mould and Assembly: (1 Points/3) Before tackling the issues with the model, it should at least be acknowledged that Lionel has been using their best castings for the 'Winner's Circle' line. In this case, they utilize the tier-one EL casting as can be seen on the chassis photograph below.  What's not as good is the issue that's been a common problem since the roll-out of the Gen. 7 mould, the crooked stance. The new Gen 7 metal casting is really good, but the plastic components that form the roll cage and base plate are often warped and do not snuggly fit inside the diecast body. This can lead to some pretty significantly crooked stances. Unfortunately, that's the situation here. Now, the car does come screw mounted on a plastic base, so many collectors will choose not to remove their copy, but if you did have plans to do that, don't be surprised if your version suffers from the same misalignment. For this reason a full point will be deducted.
There's one more glaring issue with what Lionel has done here. It's really confusing to me why, despite putting so much effort into replicating a raced version of the car, are ok with a gray window net. Lionel's general business model is based on taking what's maximally possible and then stripping those options away to save both production and consumption costs. The biggest difference between the Authentics line, and the Gold Line is the roll cage. the plastic component placed between the base plate and the race car body is either black or gray. The black roll cage equates to a black and more accurate window net. Gray indicates a less expensive car, but also a less accurate one. So how much sense does it make to put all of the effort into recreating such a detailed replica only to diminish the effect? This will cost the car another full point.  Historical Significance and Cool Factor: (3 Points/3) Nascar history is littered with drivers who have multiple career wins, but perpetually chased just one Daytona 500 win. Current legends like Brad Keselowsk, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, and other prominent drivers like Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson are yet to win their first 500. To some, winning this iconic event is more important than winning a championship. In my book, any Daytona 500 race winning car is an instant classics, and guarantees a 3/3.  William Byron poses with the Axalta Chevrolet at the Daytona start/finish line before qualifying for the Daytona 500. (Photograph courtesy of Jared Tilton, Getty Images February 14th, 2024)  To become one of the youngest to ever hoist the Harley J. Earl trophy puts a driver in rarified air. Somehow, William Byron still makes this incredible moment feel nonchalant. With his background in simulator racing, Byron is just as much of a pioneer in Nascar today as Jeff Gordon was as a young up-start from California in the 1990's. Jeff Gordon won the Daytona 500 three times, the last of which was the 2005 running. A span of nearly 20 years would pass before the car's return to victory lane. Byron will look to defend his title again in the 24 machine in 2025. This car is incredibly cool. It somehow seems to make a connection through time and captures some of the magic of the most televised and most glory filled moments in Nascar history. The Axalta colors always look outstanding and no offense to Ricky Stenhouse and JTG, but the toilet paper branded Kroger/Cottonelle car from the year before just doesn't have the same clout.
Conclusion and Recommendation: (0 Point/1) 
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Model ReviewsHere, I will investigate 1/64 scale diecast race cars and the on track impact of each car. Archives
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