AVONDALE, Ariz. — A Kansas Lottery player emerged victorious in the final drawing of the NASCAR Powerball Playoff, winning the $1 million top prize!
Francisco Erives, of Jetmore, Kansas, was declared the $1 million winner in the third installment of the national Powerball® promotion during a drawing broadcast live from Phoenix Raceway® on NBC, just before the start of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship™ Race. Erives, who attended the event alongside the other three lottery finalists, was in disbelief when his number was drawn by the machine.
“I feel a little numb,” said Erives. “This is huge, enormous. My life is going to be completely different from now on.”
Erives, a Staff Sergeant in the Kansas Army National Guard, was joined on stage by his nephew, Aaron, 13, after he was declared the $1 million winner. Erives said he plans to help his family with the prize money.
Erives was one of four lottery players nationwide to win a VIP trip for two to NASCAR Championship Weekend™, Oct. 31–Nov. 2, at Phoenix Raceway®, and a spot in the $1 million drawing, after entering the Powerball promotion through their state lottery.
The three lottery players eliminated in the championship drawing each received $10,000. They include:
Daryle Fair – Columbia, SC
Patricia Hockaday – Raleigh, NC
Todd Smith – N. Waterboro, ME
“This marks Powerball’s third consecutive year holding a $1 million drawing at NASCAR Championship Weekend,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “Year after year, our players tell us how much they love this experience, so we’re thrilled to bring the $1 million drawing to Homestead-Miami next year alongside NASCAR Championship Weekend.”
