Iredell County man wakes up with $100,000 prize: “It was better than coffee”

February 6, 2026 Posted by NC Lottery at 2:21 PM

Felma Norman of Statesville had an unforgettable start to his morning on Monday after a $20 scratch-off woke him up with a $100,000 prize.

“It was better than coffee,” he laughed.

Norman said he scratched his ticket at 4:30 in the morning.

“I set it down, went to the refrigerator to get a drink, then came back to check it again,” he recalled.

Norman bought his lucky $2 Million Vault ticket from Sunshine Express on Wilkesboro Highway in Statesville.

“I never really play that game, but I just chose one,” Norman said.

He arrived at lottery headquarters Friday to claim his winnings and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $72,016.

“I love it,” Norman said when he received his big check.

He plans to use his winnings to pay some bills.

The $2 Million Vault game debuted in May with three top prizes of $2 million and six $100,000 prizes. One $2 million prize and three $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

14 COMMENTS

2/11/2026 09:22 - Michael R.

I know the schools got to get a share of thelottery money but a state's lottery stil gotta bring trips and quads a few times a year to keep the Pick 3 and Pick 4 players happy and interested in playing. Virginia and other states know this trick.

2/09/2026 08:07 - darryl i.

@ Shirita, I've been entering the second chance drawings for 20 years n not one cent. I've seen others win multiple times. Yes I'm very discouraged n dont know how I haven't won after LITERALLY A MILLION chances.

2/09/2026 01:25 - Sharon S.

Yeah,I'm happy someone wins! But the big elephant the room is always to the west or east of me.Everybody can't win! But you think after years of playing and now the digital games you would get a big hit! But nope,the winners are to my left and My right. Never in the middle.NC Lottery
No matter where you play, your odds of winning are the same - it just takes a lot of luck! We're crossing our fingers for you and wishing you the best of luck, Sharon.

2/09/2026 09:46 - Robert f.

Congratulations enjoy your big win!!!!!!

2/08/2026 11:58 - Phyllis N.

Congrats to anyone that managed to win more than a break even on the scratchers. Recently, I saw on the News that while NCEL has been bringing in more and more billions a year, the schools have been getting less of the money. Now, we all know that the players haven't been getting our fair share. I know that NCEL is a business, but come on, can't ya make more winners in those batch of tickets that you spread through out the state?

2/08/2026 11:19 - Beverly R.

Re: $400,000 Jackpot scratch off ticket Buy a couple of tickets whenever you see this game. It's an old ticket but only 1 of the top prizes has been won. Where is the other top winners? The ticket only cost 5 bucks so 400k is a nice haul for that price. You will find the ticket in convenience stores. Don't let this ticket end with only 1 top winner. I just saw the 20 dollar Power 20s ticket has ended and it only one of the 2 million dollar top prizes had been won.

2/08/2026 05:26 - Muteeh S.

Muteeh saleh

2/07/2026 06:28 - Jeff S.

I'M HAPPY FOR YOU!!! PLEASE DON'T WASTE IT ON THE DIGITAL GAMES. IT WE TAKE YOUR MONEY. BEEN PLAYING SINCE IT STARTED NEVER WON A PENNY..

2/07/2026 02:22 - Berry B.

Yes it is!!

2/06/2026 11:15 - Charles H.

One thing that concerns me is why on many occasions I have hit the 3 bison coins only to have the epic prize wedge removed from the wheel. This is regardless of the amount wagered. I know the odds are high, but when the wedge is removed it knocks me and other players out of a fair chance to win. If I were playing in demo mode I wouldn't be griping, but when I'm paying to play I have legitimate complaint.

2/06/2026 09:52 - Shirita M.

It seems like certain people are always winning in certain areas. I have been playing the second chance games for awhile now and I have never won. It's like the rules makes it hard for you to win. Now I feel like it's all a scam or something. Then I never see or get notifications when they do the drawings. Can anyone tell me how that work. I have been having so many health issues and needing a fresh start after losing everything and to see how things are being put in our faces and questionable NC Lottery
Hi Shirita! Second Chance winners are notified withing 48 hours of the draw and the first notification goes to the email you use with your NC Lottery account, so be sure to keep that up to date. If we don’t hear from you, we’ll give you a call and if we miss you with the email and phone call, you'll still get a certified letter. We want to do everything we can to ensure folks get the prizes they win!

2/06/2026 09:51 - Angela P.

Congratulations happy for you, remember you can't win if you don't play, That was a great decision you made.

2/06/2026 09:49 - Shanika B.

Congratulations ??

2/06/2026 03:04 - Angela A.

Congrats! @NCEL you all still have not explained the odds of so many people winning the Digital Instant Progressive games on these .50 bets when the odds are horrible even for $1 Yet when I played for .50 barely ever got the chance at Jackpot and when I did it was $3.50 - $5 WIN! You know who playing these games and where from....Salisbury Won (2) Jackpots same week same game ...So was it the same person as well? We all know it takes luck, but this is not a good look and raise many questions.NC Lottery
Hi, Angela! Every time you play Digital Instants, the system randomly generates an outcome from all possible outcomes. The odds are based on the number of possible outcomes. No matter where you're playing, your odds of winning are the same - it just takes a lot of luck.

Iredell County man wakes up with $100,000 prize: “It was better than coffee”

February 6, 2026 Posted by NC Lottery at 2:21 PM

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