Winner finally emerges in racing contest
After almost two complete Winston Cup seasons, a racing fan has correctly guessed the top three finishers in the Standard’s NASCAR Picks contest.
And for his winning entry, Bryan Barkes has been handsomely rewarded to the tune of $1,450.
Barkes made a trip to the newspaper office Friday afternoon to receive his winnings from publisher Patricia Zechman and general manager Sharon Patrick. He said it was the second time this season he entered the contest.
“I’ll probably put some of the money toward my car and put the rest in the bank,” said Barkes, who accepted the check with his daughter, Amber.
“We’re pleased someone has finally picked the top three,” said Zechman. “We were beginning to think it couldn’t be done.”
Winning the money is no easy task as participants are required to pick the top three drivers – in exact order of finish. Based on the laws of probability, the odds of winning, based on a 43-car starting lineup – are 1 in 79,507.
Last year, no one successfully picked the three drivers in exact order of finish. The Standard held a random drawing at the end of the year to give away the jackpot, which had crept to $1,850.
“I thought we might have to do that again this year,” said Patrick. “With all the crazy finishes this year, there have been some races where no one really came close.”
Barkes’ winning entry was for the night race in Charlotte, which was won by Tony Stewart. Second place went to Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson claimed third. It came on the 31st race of the season. The jackpot now resets to $50 and will increase by $50 for every race there’s not a winner.