BRISTOL, Tenn., Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As Bristol prepares for the upcoming IRWIN Tools Night Race, select Walmart stores in the Bristol area will host exclusive NASCAR fan events through its new Race Time program starting Aug. 23. Customers are invited to attend these special events and enjoy real stock car racing displays, a scheduled appearance by Dale Earnhardt Jr., and racing simulator machines – perfect to safely get behind the wheel and feel the power of NASCAR – on Aug. 23-Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., depending on the location.

"We've found that nearly nine out of 10 NASCAR fans chose to shop at Walmart(1)," said Jon Tunnell, Walmart market manager. "We wanted to provide Bristol race fans with unique Race Time experiences and unbelievable savings on NASCAR merchandise that you can only find at Walmart."

Race Time at Walmart

In addition to the fan events happening in Walmart parking lots, Walmart stores will feature incredible prices on NASCAR merchandise during the racing season such as T-shirts, racing flags, and tailgating food and beverages with even more selection of exclusive product on Walmart.com/NASCAR.

Participating stores in the Bristol area include:

Tuesday, Aug. 23 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Events free and open to the public include General Mills Cheerios show car, Kraft's Oreo Ritz show car, Miller Lite show car, Keystone Light show truck, Coca-Cola 5-seat racing simulator, Pepsi Max/AMP Energy racing simulator and the Wrangler Interactive Pit Box at:

Walmart Store #599
3200 Fort Henry Drive
Kingsport, Tenn.

Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Events free and open to the public include Hefty show car simulator, General Mills Cheerios show car, Kraft's Oreo Ritz Nationwide show car, Miller Lite show car, Keystone Light show truck, Coca-Cola 5-seat racing simulator, Pepsi Max/Amp racing simulator and the Wrangler Interactive Pit Box at:

Walmart Store #1080
3111 Browns Mill Road
Johnson City, Tenn.

Thursday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Events free and open to the public include Hefty show car simulator, General Mills Cheerios show car, Kraft's Oreo Ritz Nationwide show car, Coca-Cola 5-seat racing simulator, Pepsi Max/AMP Energy racing simulator and the Wrangler Interactive Pit Box. Hefty's Nationwide Driver Eric McClure will be making an appearance from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Also on Aug. 25, NASCAR Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is scheduled to make a stage appearance at the Bristol, Tenn., store on Century Blvd. from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., participating in a live Q&A.

Walmart Store #2089
13245 Lee Hwy.
Bristol, Va.

Friday, Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Events free and open to the public include General Mills Cheerios show car, Kraft's Oreo Ritz Nationwide show car, Miller Lite show car, Keystone Light show truck, Coors Light show car, Hefty show car simulator, Coca-Cola 5-seat racing simulator, Pepsi Max/AMP Energy racing simulator and the Wrangler Interactive Pit Box at:

Walmart Store #620
220 Century Blvd.
Bristol, Tenn.

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

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE :WMT ) or "Walmart," serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,800 retail units under 59 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine's 2010 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.

Ed. Note: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the legal trade name of the corporation. The name "Walmart," expressed as one word and without punctuation, is a trademark of the company and is used analogously to describe the company and its stores. Use the trade name when it is necessary to identify the legal entity, such as when reporting financial results, litigation or corporate governance.

(1)Experian Consumer Research, Simmons National Consumer Survey, Fall 2009

SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.