In the first race of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series™ Playoffs, Kyle Larson put it all on the line – or, more accurately, the wall. On the final lap of the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, second-place Larson decided to “video game it” in a last-ditch attempt to pass race leader Denny Hamlin and cement a spot in the next round of The Playoffs. As he gained speed, Larson purposely bounced his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet off the wall, nearly getting by Hamlin for the victory. In the end, Larson finished in second place. “I thought if I rode the wall, I could squeeze to his outside and who knows what would have happened after that down the front stretch,” Larson said. “I actually got to his bumper a little too early and he kind of protected the wall. It was wild and I hope the fans enjoyed the desperation. Just came one spot short.” Now, Lionel Racing is excited to release the next edition in the “Checkers or Wreckers” line – the 2021 No. 5 HendrickCars.com Darlington Raced die-cast.When the checkered flag waves at the conclusion of any race, only one driver can celebrate a victory. While the Victory Lane photos are taken and the confetti flies, the other drivers in the field are left to tell stories of what could have been. Often, those stories are best told through their race cars. Through the damage, wheel marks, scrapes, and scuffs that occur with every turn on every lap, each car reflects the day that was on the track. Sometimes, the story takes an ugly turn as contact with the wall or other competitors can take a car out of contention. Often the stories of the race don’t end with that contact, however. Though contact and damage may keep cars out of Victory Lane, teams and drivers often refuse to give up on the day. Tools, tape, and a tremendous amount of elbow grease can fix these cars up enough to see the checkered flag, proving that only the toughest racers compete with the mantra, “Checkers or Wreckers.”