By Bernard Baker
Danville Register & Bee
Published: May 7, 2008

Douglas Mitchell wasn’t expecting a call from the North Carolina Education Lottery telling him he has won a trip to the NASCAR race of his choice.

Mitchell, of Danville, was one of the second-round winners in the lottery’s NASCAR-themed instant scratch-off contest.

“I was sort of surprised,” Mitchell said. “I’ve never won anything as big as this before. It’s just the luck of the draw.”

However, he had placed what turned out to be the winning ticket in a bag and left it in a corner of the house.

Mitchell had to find the ticket to prove he had the winning number. He and his wife, Pat, went through the tickets and found the winner stuck to another ticket. The ticket was purchased at Cluck’s Recreation Center in Providence, N.C.

The prize consists of a four-day, three-night trip for two to any NASCAR race. The trip includes airfare, hotel accommodations, transportation to and from the race, and some cash.

Mitchell said he’ll probably choose one of the races on the West Coast. He jokes that he’s already gotten

offers from people who want to go if his wife backs out.

Pat Mitchell is credited with peaking her husband’s interest in racing. He pulls for Jeff Gordon. She’s a fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“We don’t watch a race together,” he said. “We have a couple of TVs in the house.”

Pamela Walker, corporate communications director for the North Carolina Education Lottery, said Mitchell was the third and final trip winner. She said more than 400 players received NASCAR-licensed prize packs.

Walker said there’s still a $100,000 top prize available in the scratch-off game. Tickets are $5 and there’s a chance to win a variety of prizes.

Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.