Lionel.....here's your chance....

Saw that too and thought it was very cool. Would be interesting if someone from Lionel was watching and thinks the same thing.

I absolutely agree. It would be a great gesture, that would not only make a budding train fan very happy, but would be extremely positive publicity for Lionel in both their train and NASCAR divisions. 

sounds like this could have been set up?><(*&^???

Given the relationship of Lionel and NASCAR nowadays, it sounds like the old "I'm going to Disney World" bit.

Rusty

Hate to throw cold water but unless you're a NASCAR fan, tomorrow no one's going to remember who won the race so the PR opportunity has been missed. As a matter of fact, 30 minutes from now I'm not going to remember who won the race!

Not only was Lionel watching

Lionel was there 

They had a huge presence all weekend

Also lots of train people in the NASCAR suite watching the race---I was getting pictures all night

i'm sure there's going to be Lionell trains in the McMurray household

I don't think WHO won, Jamie is a good guy but not a big name, but that given a choice of anything the kid wants a train.....if I was Lionel I'd make sure it was one of mine.

And if it was a 'Disney' like set up......it's still the first time ever.....so noteworthy to me!

BTW......I think it was a honest moment....these guys are paid millions to talk about sponsors when they win.....I know for a fact Jamie is not getting millions from Lionel or when he did the 'thanks to Bass Pro s'hops, Chevy, Mc Donald's, Sprint and Sunoco' he'd said LIONEL trains and not just 'my son wants trains'.....

I worked in NASCAR licensing for many years....I know what to look for.

Sounds like he makes enough money, he can buy his kid the train set.

if Lionel gives some train sets away, give them to kids or family's who may not be able to afford them.

Was it not JLC who sent a spy out to investigate the family's need before he gave a train set to the youngster?

FWIW The lower 2/3 of NASCAR drivers and crews do not earn what you would think they do.

Yes.....every big company in the US should give away their product to the needy.

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Looking back I was in error even posting this. It's more a marketing idea than a hobby idea.  I thought it was interesting and an opportunity for some good high profile publicity. 

My goal was not to solve society's ill's but came from a mind that was in the licensing (NASCAR in fact) biz.....that background means I should know better. 

Just trying to grow a hobby I love.

I'll be the devil's advocate here..... while giving a train to the needy is very nice it does nothing to further the hobby/business.  Sure it will be played with but nothing else can be bought/afforded.  (please don't flame me for saying that).  But having Lionel offer a train set to a sport figure's son could be awesome marketing if they can exploit it.  But then these sports guys have managers that jump in and say "You cannot endorse any product unless they sign here and here and here and here....... ".  

But if Lionel COULD give a train set and get some publicity out of it I certainly think it would be worth the return on investment for them and the hobby as a whole!

Jamie told  (MRN radio)a story about him getting home after the race, late at night, and his son reminding him of the train set. So I still hope Lionel does something to jump on all this model train and kids talk......like it or not I see it as a great opportunity...

And Jamie also told that he is going to get his son a set........Jamie's race shop is within walking distance of Lionel....hope he stops there first....