First off let me thank Tom Farrell for sending the box to SCF for us to break and be able to pst a review on.

Hobby
5 Cards per pack
20 Packs per box

Retail
4 cards per pack
24 packs per box

SCF Members case break price---73.25 box, resulting in 55 boxes

This break is on the new release of 2008 Press Pass Premium, it includes a base set that is numbered 1-90 and has several subsets that are incorporated within the main set. The set starts with the Contender cards that showcase the drivers and their sponsors;


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/skippys_dei_nascar/0card5.jpg

This is followed by the machine cards that highlight the teams cars and colors. The next subset would be the Speedweeks which commemorates the running of the 2008 Daytona 500;

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/skippys_dei_nascar/0card4.jpg

Eyes on the Prize is next in the set, these are to showcase the top drivers in the series, this is then followed by the Media Day cards;

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/skippys_dei_nascar/0card3.jpg

The Flashback (1:3) is a new innovation added to this years set, these are to replace the old Champs and Challenger cards of the past;

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/skippys_dei_nascar/0card2.jpg


Follow this by the also new to this years set replacing the Premium Choice of the past, the Opening Day (1:10) depicting top drivers sporting baseball equiptment;

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/skippys_dei_nascar/0card1.jpg

The last four cards in the set are listed as Rookies (1:20)

And again this year they have a limited Red Foil edition of base cards numbered to 15.

As in the past the Premium release has always showcased the winner of the Daytona 500 with their own card that have been numbered to 0. This years card shows Ryan Newman (1:60);

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/skippys_dei_nascar/0card6.jpg

There has been another change in this years Insert sets. Gone is the Concrete Chaos and Performance Driven, gone is the In the Zone. Todays sets are the Going Global, a 6 card set depicting the multi-nationality of the drivers in todays NASCAR, and Clean Air, a 12 card set that showcase the top cars from last year.

Going Global as stated is showcasing driver from USA to all coners of the globe. They come in two tiers, silver foil gold etched and the Elite Edition found only in Hobby release that are numbered to /250 (1:9);

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/skippys_dei_nascar/0card9.jpg

Clean Air depicts the fastest cars from last year (1:3);

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/skippys_dei_nascar/0card8.jpg

2008 Premium also this year brings Hot Threads, pieces of the top drivers firesuits, they come in five different levels. Hobby features numbered to 120. Patch cards showing a piece of a patch, numbered will vary determined by the pieces that can be taken from the patch. Special 1/1 Thread of the drivers, a Hot Thread Signature again will be issued numbered toi the drivers door number and a Retail team version will be found within the retail packs.

Press Pass Signing again preview in the Premium release. They will also be included in the Stelth, Traks, and VIP releases. These will agian be in four leels. Bronze and Silver (#'d 100) will be available in Hobby and Retail. Gold embassed #'d 50 and Blue metallic Legends #'d 100 will be found only in Hobby releases.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/skippys_dei_nascar/0card7.jpg

Over all impression of the set is: Same old set from the past, needs variation to it, base cards format about the same in looks from past years. Inserts are 50/50 at best, really like the graphics and brightness of the Clean Air but the Going Global are to dismall and dark, hard to make out the features on the cards. Didn't pull a numbered so can't determine a opinion on these. Pulled about the required pull ratio, was really surprised that we pulled 0 rookie cards, specially that they are advertised as one per box. Press Pass Signing reminded us of last years Signings, little imagination went into this years. From the Sell Sheat looks like Hot hreads are very similar from last years also. Needs some originality in both these. Was no excitement in opening this box.

Final Ratings (Out of 5):

Base Set - 4
Fun - 3.5
Overall Design - 4
Value - 4
Rebuy - 4

Final Grade - 19.5/25 (78%)

Again would like to make are appreciation to Tom and all of Press Pass for making this review possible.

Mike
Team Manager
Racing Forums

Tough break there Mike. No rookies? What are the odds of hitting a Hot Threads as I noticed you didn't get any of those either?

Thanks again to Press Pass for allowing us to review the box!

Hot Threads are 1:40 and the red foil parallels to the base set are #/15.

Mike,
Good review thanks for sharing.

DON

Very nice review and great scans! You can digg it here:
http://digg.com/motorsport/2008_Press_Pass_Premium_Racing_Card_Review

Nice job on the Break.

I've read about those Opening Day cards featuring drivers with baseball equipment to commemorate MLB's Opening Day. NASCAR and/or Press Pass wants to reach out to baseball fans, ya think?

Good write up. I personally was very excited when I got my box as I had seen some of the sick pulls going up on the bay esp...the 4 wide patches. When I opened the box i got a real kick out of the wrappers. I actally pulled out all the packs to check out the wrappers....each pack had a different driver withe the baseball garb on (Bat Ball etc...) I thought that was nifty, neat, but could see the connection....Hobbycards are often still called baseball cards despite the sport depicted....and also Got the Opening Day theme with them, but feel they should have either pushed the theme full tilt.....called the set Press Pass Opening Day and have like a sweet spot auto type card for the autos instead of the same old auto cards....now that would have been different and made more sense with the opening day theme.....

But that's just my 2 cents. Also after reading and seeing many of the box breaks this seems to be a very hit or miss product......I spent 100$ all told for my box and definatley feel I did not get my moneys worth. But it's always a gamble.

I think they should have either fully commited to the baseball theme or not done it at all. Also someone needs to let them know they need to rework there sets and inserts as regardless of set or year they all seem to look alike.

Nice box. Cool Newman car.