Gold Line: Ryan Blaney '2023 Champion' Menards Mustang

Championship branded merch isn't a central part of my collecting range. In fact, this is the only diecast car in my collection that carries the championship insignia. I probably wouldn't have ever bought this car myself, but it was a very kind and thoughtful gift. I am, however, a huge Ryan Blaney fan, and this is a nice little tribute to his championship-winning season in 2023. The Menards/Dutch Boy Team Penske Ford Mustang looks good, for more, read on...

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The real thing: Ryan Blaney drives during practice before the final race of the season at Phoenix on November 3rd, 2023. (Photograph by Christian Petersen/Getty Images).

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Ryan Blaney's run to the championship was unlikely, but also inevitable. With only three wins on the season, and two of those wins coming in the playoffs, Blaney began the bracket as the humble 9th seed. But once the playoffs began, he proved to be a top contender and bullied his way into the final four. While Blaney didn't win the race (that honor goes to Ross Chastain), he did accumulate the points needed to hoist the Bill France Cup. While this car is not a raced version, or a real version, it still captures the final paint scheme of the year, and the now iconic neon number 12.

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Notes:
The build quality of the car is good. It does sit at a narrowly crooked angle due to the chassis not fitting properly under the mould. The car has mostly good paint and printing. Some of the details are a bit grainy. The car does have some important details that are expertly replicated, mainly the grill, name banner, and championship window details. The champion's insignia looks good, and the car is overall a success.