Danica Patrick’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie Card arrives in 2012 Total Memorabilia

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Contributing Editor

Danica Patrick has been popular ever since she came on to the professional racing scene. This year, her brand takes another jump when she will race full-time on the NASCAR Nationwide Series and also a limited scheduled in the Sprint Cup Series, the highest form of racing in the United States.

Like most years, Patrick’s racing cards will be in Press Pass’ products, but this year is a little special.

Her fans will want to take a look at 2012 Total Memorabilia because it’s going to offer her first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie Card.

The Rookie Card will be a short-print variation of her regular base card, which shows Patrick in her Nationwide firesuit. The short-print will have a ‘Rookie Card’ logo to let collectors know exactly what card they pulled.

Total Memorabilia is a high-end product with a hit in every pack. It doesn’t come out until February, which just in time for Patrick’s Sprint Cup debut when she’ll kick off the season with everyone else in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 26.

Patrick’s card isn’t the only short-print in the set. Ten drivers will have base card variations that show off an alternate sponsor including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne.

For Patrick fans, there are also other cards to look forward to in Total Memorabilia. She will have a Hot Rod Relic, a Total Memorabilia card and an autographed memorabilia booklet card.

She first appeared on cards in 2005 when she competed in the IRL. One of her most sought after and most expensive card is a 2006 Topps Allen and Ginter autograph that is numbered to /100. The card has a high book value of $600.

Susan Lulgjuraj is a contributing editor for Beckett Media. You can email Susan here. Follow her on Twitter here.