A consumer’s guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise. Ground rules: If it can be read, played, heard, observed, worn, viewed, dialed or downloaded, it’s in play here.

What: The “Greatest� Series: Greatest Rivalries, Greatest Races, Greatest Drivers (ESPN videos).

Price: $14.99 each, available in retail stores.

There never seems to be enough to satisfy the appetites of NASCAR fans--not 36 televised races, weekly “Inside NASCAR� and “NASCAR Garage� TV shows, plus racing-oriented programs nearly nightly.

With three new ESPN videos, stock car enthusiasts can pop one into the VCR and get their fix any time, day or night. With Bob Jenkins narrating, the three-volume set covers the remarkable growth of NASCAR from the beaches of Daytona in the 1950s to the high-banked superspeedways of today.

“Greatest Races� features the 1992 Hooters 500 at Atlanta, where Richard Petty ran his finale, Alan Kulwicki edged Bill Elliott and Davey Allison for the Winston Cup championship, and Jeff Gordon drove his first race.

Of special interest to younger fans is the first Daytona 500, in 1959. It took NASCAR several days to figure out that Lee Petty won it.

“Greatest Drivers� showcases the legends, such as Herb Thomas, Buck Baker and Tim Flock, racing on sand and dirt, compared to the future greats, Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough, down to today’s champions.

“Greatest Rivalries� is a classic, showing the matchless competition between Petty and Pearson, Petty and Allison, Dale Earnhardt and Rusty Wallace, and others. Interviews conducted by Ned Jarrett put a personal touch on the rivalries.

If you just can’t wait until next week’s race, ESPN has put together three fine videos that should tide you over.