Twenty-five lottery players are officially one step closer to a $1 million prize as NASCAR Powerball – The Chase to $1 Million enters its next phase.
Following months of in-state promotions and entry periods conducted by 25 participating lotteries, one player from each participating lottery has been selected as a semi-finalist in the national Powerball® promotion. Each semi-finalist has already won $2,000 and now advances to the next round of drawings inspired by NASCAR’s championship format.
The 25 semi-finalists were revealed during coverage of the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway® on USA Network, marking the official start of The Chase. The players advancing in NASCAR Powerball – The Chase to $1 Million are:
- AZ – Edgar Ramirez
- DE – Douglas Hermann
- FL – Raymond Eveleigh
- IA – James Lamoureux
- ID – Carlos Aguilar
- IN – Tina Weatherwax
- KS – Jeffrey Schultz
- KY – Mark Johnson
- LA – Lisa Rideaux
- MD – Jeffely Pargo
- ME – Crystal Waiculonis
- MN – Rodney Wimberly
- MS – Katrina Woods
- NC – Agnes Whitaker
- ND – David Durham
- NE – Rachel Tobaben
- NM – Jesus Baeza
- NY – Adora Premore
- OK – Debra Warden
- PA – Vincent Rosiek
- RI – Dennis VanBost
- SC – Tina Lanning
- SD – Bryce Nienkerk
- TN – Jackie Rainey
- VT – Jamie Utley
Together, these 25 players now begin their Chase for cash prizes, a VIP NASCAR Championship Weekend experience, and the opportunity to be the next $1 million winner.
“Today we celebrate 25 players who have earned their spot in NASCAR Powerball – The Chase to $1 Million,” said Stephen Durrell, Powerball Product Group Chair and Kansas Lottery Executive Director. “Just like NASCAR’s top drivers begin their championship journey at Darlington, these players now have an opportunity to advance through additional drawings, collect additional cash prizes, and ultimately have a chance to win $1 million live during NASCAR Championship Weekend.”
Over the next several weeks, the number of semi-finalists will be reduced through a series of drawings inspired by NASCAR’s championship format, where drivers earn points to advance through each stage. Each time a player advances from a drawing, they will collect an additional cash prize and remain in The Chase for the $1 million grand prize. In the third drawing, the four players who advance will win a VIP trip for two to NASCAR Championship Weekend Miami and secure a spot in the $1 million drawing.
| Round | Semi-Finalists | Prize | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Promotions | 1 semi-finalist per lottery | $2,000 | 9/6 Darlington |
| Drawing 1 | 20 advance | $3,000 | 9/27 Kansas |
| Drawing 2 | 10 advance | $5,000 | 10/18 Phoenix |
| Drawing 3 | 4 advance | VIP trip valued at $10,000 | 11/1 Martinsville |
| Drawing 4 | Live $1 million drawing |
$1 million winner: three $10,000 winners |
11/8 Homestead |
The VIP trip includes roundtrip airfare for two to Miami, three nights hotel accommodations – double occupancy, two Ally Pit Box passes at Homestead-Miami Speedway for both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship Race on Nov. 7 and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race on Nov. 8, two passes for VIP experiences at Homestead-Miami Speedway during NASCAR Championship Weekend including NASCAR Cup Series™ VIP access, NASCAR team hauler tour, MRN radio booth tour, pace car rides, Victory Lane access, all meals, and ground transportation to scheduled events and activities.
The 2026 NASCAR season marks Powerball’s fourth year as the Official Lottery Game of NASCAR and the fourth consecutive year one lucky player will have the chance to win $1 million in Victory Lane before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship™ race.
Last year, Kansas Lottery player Francisco Erives, a Staff Sergeant in the Kansas Army National Guard, was declared the $1 million winner in a special drawing broadcast live from Phoenix Raceway® before the start of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship™ Race.
Players can follow NASCAR Powerball – The Chase on Facebook and Instagram for updates throughout the promotion visit and Powerball.com for additional information.
NASCAR Enterprises, LLC is not a sponsor of this promotion. NASCAR® is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC. All trademarks are used with permission by their respective owners.