A jubilant atmosphere filled the Mississippi Lottery headquarters as Stephanie Walker, hailing from West Point, claimed her well-deserved $1 million prize after being crowned the inaugural NASCAR Powerball Playof Champion. The celebration, complete with balloons, streamers, banners, and cheers from the Mississippi Lottery staff, marked a moment of triumph for Walker.

Walker's victory unfolded during a live drawing from Victory Lane at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 5, broadcast as part of the pre-race coverage for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race on NBC.

Expressing her joy, Walker described the win as "life-changing for me and my family"

As one of the four finalists, Walker earned a VIP trip for two to NASCAR Championship Weekend from Nov. 3-5 at Phoenix Raceway. Additionally, she gained entry into the $1 million drawing, ultimately securing the grand prize. The other three finalists, while not clinching the top spot, each received a commendable $10,000 prize for reaching the Championship.

Mississippi Lottery President Jeff Hewitt shared the excitement, stating, ?Mississippi has been cheering for Stephanie for some time now. This is an incredible win for her and our state. We were so happy to welcome her to headquarters to give her the top prize today!?

Participation in the national Powerball promotion occurred through one of 24 participating state lotteries. These lotteries organized in-state contests and drawings throughout the 2023 NASCAR regular season, forming a national pool of entrants. From this pool, 16 semi-finalists were drawn to compete in a series of elimination drawings, mirroring the elimination rounds of the NASCAR playoffs.

Stephanie Walker's victory not only brings joy to her and her family but also adds a thrilling chapter to the narrative of lottery success in Mississippi. The Mississippi Lottery continues to create memorable moments for its players, fostering excitement and anticipation across the state.