2004 Wheels High Gear Racing Forum

Unfortunately at the time of posting this, I am too computer illiterate to post photos. I have pics on my phone, but have no clue how to put them here…so, first off, my apologies for that. However, I will try to explain my issue.

I have a 2004 Wheels autograph and I have a 2005 Wheels autograph of Jamie McMurray. Both cards are clearly from their respective sets. But I also have another Wheels autograph that is dated like it is a 2005, but has the design of the 2004. It is a different color and has a variant photo different than the clear 2004 auto. In addition, the back is also the same design as the 2004, except instead of saying Winston Cup…it has Nextel Cup…like it’s from 2005?! This card has me a little perplexed. 

I’m sorry if my description is confusing and I know without pictures, it makes it even more so. But if anyone has any ideas where my hybrid 2004-2005 auto fits in, I would be happy to know! Thank you!

https://postimg.cc/gallery/MQZbgyj
 

Hopefully this works. If it does the top 2 pics are the 2004 Wheels Autograph front/back. The next 2 will be the 2004/05 Wheels Autograph hybrid front/back. And finally, the bottom 2 is the 2005 Wheels Autograph front/back.

To me, it looks like he was given two 2004 Wheels autographs. That wasn't unusual for that time, as drivers who regularly competed in both the Cup and Busch Series would often get one for each series. But it's somewhat odd that both here are of his Cup uniform. If I remember right, High Gear was an early year release (i.e. cards printed the year before) and American Thunder was a later-year release. It's possible Jamie got an autograph for each release instead of having the cards split into both sets, as would usually happen. 

I remember putting in a bunch of correction requests over on COMC to get the Wheels Autographs from this timeframe sorted out.  I'm sure their listings are not entirely correct, but the copyright dates definitely do not align with the release dates for these multi-product releases.

COMC lists this as a 2003 (which is not correct, the ones with the 'gear' background were from 2003 High Gear, this must be a 2004.):

And this as a 2005:

(TCDB list these under American Thunder)

It looks to me like you have two variations of the 2004 Wheels Autograph.

I appreciate the input, thank you kindly! One more question, if I am to get the variant added to the database, how should I differentiate it? Base: Left Facing and Variant: Right Facing? Or, Base: Winston Cup on Back and Variant: Nextel Cup on Back? I would like to get it catalogued correctly…any advice?

Yeah, I think 'left facing' and 'right facing' might be the easiest ways to tell.