Two Lucke-Reward winners got a behind-the-scenes look at how to put on a big NASCAR event as they enjoyed a VIP night at the Charlotte Motor Speedway as grand marshal and honorary starter for a NASCAR truck race.
The grand marshal, Dean Villeneuve of High Point, and the honorary starter, Gregory Oxendine of Red Springs, won VIP access to Friday’s NCEL 200 in a Lucke-Rewards drawing. Villeneuve got to get the party started as grand marshal and Oxendine dropped the green flag as honorary starter.
An extra bonus to the night occurred as the co-host of the popular TV game show, Wheel of Fortune, Vanna White, joined them for race night. White, who shared grand marshal duties with Villeneuve, came to the race to help launch our new Wheel of Fortune game.
The game has four prizes of $200,000 that can be won instantly and offers eight chances in second-chance drawings to win a trip to L.A. and compete for up to $1 million in more prizes.
The night gave both winners an insider’s look at racing. They hung out in the Winner’s Circle inside the speedway and attended the Driver & Crew Chief meeting before the NCEL 200 started. And they enjoyed one of the best seats the speedway offers in their own Pit Suite above Pit Road.
Villeneuve and Oxendine were more than just NASCAR fans. For one night, they were race officials. Both shook hands with each of the NCEL 200 racers as drivers were introduced to the thousands of spectators watching the race.
Villeneuve’s took center stage after the singing of the National Anthem. As grand marshal, he gave the command: “Drivers, start your engines.”
Villeneuve gave the night a big thumbs up.
“It’s better than what we expected,” Villeneuve said. “A great experience. That was awesome with Vanna.”
Meanwhile, Oxendine climbed the Start/Finish Flag Tower for his big moment. Standing high above the race track, he waved the green flag to get the 201-mile race started.
The fun didn’t end with the NCEL 200. Their ticket packages will bring both back to the speedway to see The Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star race, the Alsco 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race, and the Coca Cola 600 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race.
Congratulations!
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