By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Mike Perry had an inkling his number was lucky when he became an early finalist in Eagle Radio's Nitro Summer Giveaway. His No. 4 ball matched the number on his son, Chance's, jersey at Great Bend High School. Friday night at Ehler Chevrolet in Hoisington, Perry's ball was the last one remaining, making him the winner of a brand new 2023 Nitro Yellow Chevy Trailblazer.
"Northview Nursery, my wife dragged me down there to spend a lot of money on plants," Perry said. "Thanks, Chad and Northview Nursery. We've got a great looking yard and now we've got a great looking car."
Perry's entry at Northview Nursery was his lone entry into the contest that featured 105 finalists, including one final contestant selected just before Friday's giveaway.
"I just happened to go out that day to buy plants and I saw the box," said Perry. "While (my wife, Pam) was shopping I went and put my name in."
Finalists were eliminated as their numbers were called. The final 10 contestants were called to the front of the stage. Nancy Crawford, with the No. 25 ball from Straub's Powersports, and Perry were the last two contestants standing.
"It was fun because I was sitting behind earlier," said Perry. "When they'd pull out balls, I only had to worry about my color of ball coming out. Once we got up here in front it got nerve wracking because I didn't know what color was coming out."
Perry, the head bowling coach at Barton Community College, said he has won small raffles before, but nothing like a new car.
The Nitro Summer Giveaway was presented by Ehler Chevrolet, Farmers Bank & Trust, Northview Nursery & Landscape, and Doan's Outdoor Store.