By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Race fans got a chance to kick off the week of the Talladega Aaron’s 499 on May 1 by getting an up-close look at the official show stock car of the NASCAR Nationwide Series at the Pelham Walmart.

Hoover Nationwide Insurance agent Scott Richards sponsored the event, which featured the pristine Nationwide Ford Mustang stock car serving as the Nationwide Series show car.

“You have to book it well in advance,” Richards said with a laugh, noting the show car appears at hundreds of events per year. “Our office is just right down the street, so we try to be a part of the community.”

In addition to the Mustang Stock Car, the event also featured free food and drinks, a visit from the WJOX sports talk radio station and a chance to win race tickets, an Academy Sports and Outdoors gift card and a Kindle Fire.

The show car pit stop also featured the Nationwide race car simulator, offering visitors a chance to experience what it’s like to race while sitting in a full-size replica of a stock car driver’s seat.

Richards said the near-90-degree heat didn’t keep folks from stopping to admire the black and blue race car.

“We’ve had a pretty good crowd today, especially for a Tuesday afternoon,” Richards said. “It’s been a day of fun.”