Diecasting is a method used to make toys, including NASCAR diecast cars. Diecast is made by combining plastic and metal elements – often made of white metal or pot metal. Airplanes, and cars like NASCAR diecast are the top selling diecast toy lines.

Trucks and other vehicles, but not yet NASCAR diecast, became most popular for diecast toys in the early 70's. For example the Models of Yesteryear, a range of diecast trucks sold by Matchbox, relaunched in the 70's. The line included multiple versions of the Y-12 Ford Model T van as well as many other trucks in a variety of bright colors and well known patterns such as Coca-Cola. Just as some companies design custom vehicles to promote their brand, Harrod's the department asked Matchbox to make a Harrod themed truck. Matchbox even had limited run items from country to country, for example manufacturing a line of diecast trucks based on Japanese models not seen in other parts of the world, these toys sold only in Japan.

The 80's were a turbulent time with many of the diecast makers going out of business or declaring bankruptcy despite good sales. Since most of the top companies were based in the UK, and there was an economic problem there, sales meant very little. Because of various issues manufacturing goods in England for sale overseas was now almost not possible. Companies moved to the far east to stay in business – Mattel being one of them. A big corporation from Hong Kong, called Universal Holdings, purchased Matchbox and moved production to Macau. Some years later the Matchbox line was purchased by Mattel – the two brands still sell today, competing with each other although owned by the same company.

A man by the name of Jack Odell, a former partner in Matchbox, took their bankruptcy as an opportunity to pick up the pieces and launch his own brand and company, Lledo, although they never produced NASCAR diecast. Odell was convinced that British diecast enthusiasts would purchase British made diecast over those produced in other parts of the world. The Models of Days Gone was the first launch of his idea, produced in 1983 at a former Matchbox factory in Enfield. In essence Days Gone began with the second re-release of the old Matchbox Models of Yesteryear line. Lledo did very well throughout the 1980s, diversified his lines to post WW2 British Vehicles called Vanguard, but lost steam in the 1990s and was out of business by 2002.

NASCAR diecast became wildly popular in the 1990's thanks to the increasing popularity of NASCAR – Racing Champions was the leading brand, but others were sold too.