Billy Epley Jr. of Forest City is the first North Carolinian to win the $200,000 top prize in the new 20X The Cash game.

Epley Jr., an auto mechanic, thought he only won $2,000 at first. He didn’t realize he won the top prize until after he texted a picture of the ticket to his wife.

“I couldn’t leave the parking lot or get out of the truck I was so excited,” Epley Jr. said.

He claimed his prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After federal and state tax withholdings, he took home $138,501. He plans to use the money to pay bills.

Epley Jr. bought the $5 ticket at the Broadway Kwik Stop on Broadway Street in Forest City.

20X The Cash launched in February with six top prizes of $200,000. Five top prizes remain.

Ticket sales from games like 20X The Cash made it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion dollars for the state last year. For details on how over $ 25.7 million in lottery funds has made a difference in Rutherford County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.