Charlotte Area Walmart Stores to host NASCAR Driver Appearances, Racing Simulators, Fun for Fans Starting Oct. 9

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As Charlotte prepares for the upcoming Bank of America 500 select Walmart stores will offer authentic NASCAR merchandise and host exclusive fan events starting Oct. 9. Customers are invited to attend these special events and enjoy driver appearances and show car and simulator displays– perfect to safely get behind the wheel and feel the power of NASCAR – on Oct. 9-12 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., varying by 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 David Cruse, Walmart market manager. "We want to give fans affordability and accessibility, so they can enjoy race time with their families and friends."

"NASCAR fans that descend into Cabarrus County spend millions of dollars that help our local economy by generating tax revenues for local governments," said Donna Carpenter, president and CEO of the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The economic impact that visitors create trickles throughout the county, via hotels, restaurants and retail stores. In essence, the speedway is the driver, and we are the pit crew! It's a win-win for everyone."

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 the Charlotte area include:

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012
Unilever's Cole Whitt Driver Appearance noon – 1 p.m.
Displays free and open to the public include the Cheez-It Show Car Simulator, Degree Show Car Simulator, Hefty Show Car Simulator, No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, 5-hour Energy Show Car, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Racing Simulator, Oreo Ritz Show Car, Wheaties Show Car, Kingsford Ultimate Tailgate Truck, M&M's Show Car, Simulator Pod and Trophy Display, No. 24 Pepsi MAX Show Car and No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car at:

Store #1156
169 Norman Station Blvd.
Mooresville, N.C.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012
Pennzoil's Sam Hornish Driver Appearance from noon– 2 p.m.
Displays free and open to the public include the 5-hour Energy Show Car, No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, Wheaties Show Car, Hefty Show Car Simulator, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Racing Simulator, Oreo Ritz Show Car, Degree Show Car Simulator, No. 24 Pepsi MAX Show Car and No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car at:

Store #2005
2420 Supercenter Drive N.E.
Kannapolis, N.C.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Displays free and open to the public include the Cheez-It Show Car Simulator, Kingsford Ultimate Tailgate Truck, and M&M's Show Car and Simulator Pod and Trophy Display at:

Store #1552
323 S. Arlington St.
Salisbury, N.C.
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012
Displays free and open to the public include the Cheez-It Show Car Simulator, 5-hour Energy Show Car, Hefty Show Car Simulator, Kingsford Ultimate Tailgate Truck, No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, No. 24 Pepsi MAX Show Car and No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car at:

Store #2134
7735 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, N.C.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

MARS' Kyle Busch Driver Appearance from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Displays free and open to the public include the Degree Show Car Simulator, Oreo Ritz Show Car, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Racing Simulator, Wheaties Show Car, and M&M's Show Car, Simulator Pod and Trophy Display at:

Store #1027
150 Concord Commons
Concord, N.C.
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 12, 2012
Displays free and open to the public include the Wheaties Show Car, Hefty Show Car Simulator, Hellmann's Show Car Simulator, 5-hour Energy Show Car, Oreo Ritz Show Car, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Racing Simulator, and M&M's Show Car, Simulator Pod and Trophy Display at:

Store #4574
5825 Thunder Road N.W.
Concord, N.C.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Pepsi MAX's No. 24 Pit Crew Appearance and Pit Stop Simulation from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Scott Products' Bobby Labonte Driver Appearance from noon – 1 p.m.
Displays free and open to the public include the Kingsford Ultimate Tailgate Truck, No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, Cheez-It Show Car simulator, No. 24 Pepsi MAX Show Car and No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car at:

Store #1027
150 Concord Commons
Concord, N.C.

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 10,300 retail units under 69 different banners in 27 countries. With fiscal year 2012 sales of $444 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 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://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmartnewsroom. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com. 

SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.