Dale Summey, a roofer and handyman from Lexington, and his wife, Robin, became the biggest scratch-off winners ever in state lottery history as they claimed the top prize in the new Ultimate Millions game of $10 million.

The win also ranks as the 7th largest overall prize won by a North Carolinian in the lottery, coming just behind a $12 million Mega Millions jackpot win. The Ultimate Millions game began this month with four top prizes of $10 million. Now three more remain to be won.

“It feels wonderful,” Summey said of his win, “but it is still hard to believe. It is. It’s wonderful, and it’s a blessing.”

Summey and his wife said they enjoyed buying a lottery ticket, sitting on their picnic table outside their home, and talking about the things they would do if they ever hit it big. “Buy a car, buy a truck, a tractor for my son,” said Summey as he recounted their list when he claimed his prize at lottery headquarters. “And we would talk about a place at the lake, taking a good trip, and taking care of mother.”

Now the couple will get a chance to decide what part of that list they really want to do. Players who win the $10 million top prize can choose to take the prize as an annuity, receiving $500,000 a year for 20 years, or as a lump sum of $6 million. Summey and his wife chose the lump sum of $6 million and after state and federal taxes were withheld they received $4.1 million.

“Our new Ultimate Millions game should ultimately produce 25 new millionaires in our state,” said Alice Garland, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Our goal is to have fun games, award prizes and raise money for education. We appreciate the players who try their luck and our retail partners who sell the tickets. Together we get to see amazing things like this happen.”

Summey, who usually waits awhile to play his ticket, purchased the lucky ticket at the Giddy Kwik Mart on N.C. 109 in Thomasville and had it for four days before he knew how valuable it was. First he drove around town with the $10 million ticket stuck in his truck visor and then for a day or two he hid it under a “Heart Beat of America” floor map on his1999 GMC truck. He was sitting at the picnic table when he scratched the ticket, told his son the news, and then went to tell his wife the news.

“I’ve done it,’” he said he told Robin. “Done what?” she asked. “I’ve won $10 million,” he answered, and showed her the ticket.

Ticket sales in games such as Ultimate Millions make it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion dollars for the state each year. For details on how $51 million in lottery funds have made a difference for specific education programs in Davidson County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.