RICHMOND, Va., April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As Virginia prepares for the upcoming Richmond 400, select Walmart stores will offer authentic NASCAR merchandise and host exclusive fan events starting April 24. Customers are invited to attend these special events and enjoy show car displays, and racing simulators – perfect to safely get behind the wheel and feel the power of NASCAR – on April 24-27 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., depending on the store location.

"Walmart is the champion of the racing fan, and we are committed to providing customers with savings on authentic merchandise, as well as unique race time experiences," said Walmart market manager Cal Phelps. "We want to give fans affordability and accessibility, so they can enjoy race time with their families and friends."

Legends of Racing
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Walmart is sponsoring racing legend Bill Elliott driving Walmart #50 at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona on July 7. Bill Elliott and the Walmart #50 show car will also make appearances at select Walmart stores nationwide leading up to the race. Trent Owens will serve as crew chief of the #50 Walmart Chevrolet. Owens currently calls the shots for Turner Motorsports' #30 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) entry and recently led the team to victory in the 2012 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Through the Legends of Racing online engagement, fans have the opportunity to share their memories and voice their opinions about the top moments in NASCAR history, as well as vote on Bill Elliott's uniform and helmet design.

Fans can vote online at Walmart.com/NASCAR March 28 - May 14.

Race Time at Walmart
In addition to the fan events happening in Walmart parking lots, area Walmart stores will feature savings on all the food and snacks you need to enjoy the race, plus authentic NASCAR merchandise such as T-shirts and racing flags, with an even bigger selection of exclusive products available at Walmart.com/NASCAR.

Participating stores in Richmond area include:

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Displays free and open to the public include Walmart's 50th Anniversary Show Car, Wheaties Show Car, Hefty Show Car Simulator and Scott's Ultimate Tailgate Truck at:

Store #1424
671 Southpark Blvd.
Colonial Heights, Va.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Displays free and open to the public include the Oreo Ritz Show Car, No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, 5-hour Energy Show Car, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Simulator, #24 Pepsi MAX Show Car and the #88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car at:

Store #1524
12000 Iron Bridge Road
Chester, Va.
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Displays free and open to the public include Walmart's 50th Anniversary Show Car, Wheaties Show Car, and Hefty Show Car Simulator at:

Store #2795
145 Hill Carter Parkway
Ashland, Va.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Displays free and open to the public include the 5-hour Energy Show Car, Cheez-It Show Car Simulator, Oreo Ritz Show Car, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Simulator, No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, Scott's Ultimate Tailgate Truck, #24 Pepsi MAX Show Car and the #88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car at:

Store #1523
11400 W. Broad St.
Glen Allen, Va.
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Displays free and open to the public include the 5-hour Energy Show Car, Oreo Ritz Show Car, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Simulator, No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, Hefty Show Car Simulator, #24 Pepsi MAX Show Car and the #88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car at:

Store #2808
12200 Chattanooga Plaza
Midlothian, Va.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Displays free and open to the public include Walmart's 50th Anniversary Show Car, Wheaties Show Car, Cheez-It Show Car Simulator and Scott's Ultimate Tailgate Truck at:

Store #2821
2410 Sheila Lane
Richmond, Va.
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Displays free and open to the public include the 5-hour Energy Show Car, Oreo Ritz Show Car, Cheez-It Simulator, No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, Hefty Show Car Simulator, #24 Pepsi MAX Show Car and the #88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car at:

Store #1525
7430 Bell Creek Road
Mechanicsville, Va.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Displays free and open to the public include Walmart's 50th Anniversary Show Car, Wheaties Show Car, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Simulator and Scott's Ultimate Tailgate Truck at:

Store #2295
7901 Brook Road
Richmond, Va.
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

For additional details and a complete listing of participating Walmart stores, visit Walmart.com/NASCAR.

About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 10,000 retail units under 69 different banners in 27 countries. With fiscal year 2012 sales of approximately $444 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com, and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.