July 22, 2025
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The annual Win Dale Jr.’s Ride Raffle has been a huge success since its inception, raising funds for the good works of The Dale Jr. Foundation. Fans of the two-time Daytona 500 winner and 15-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver have thrown their support behind the program since its inception.
This year, the Grand Prize was a 2025 Chevy Tahoe High Country 4WD in Sterling Gray Metallic, featuring a 6.25-liter V-8 engine, four-wheel drive, Jet Black perforated leather all around, a 17.7-inch diagonal advanced color LCD display with Google Technology and Entertainment Package and 22-inch all-season black-wall tires. In addition, all taxes were paid for by The Dale Jr. Foundation.
The lucky winners, Scott Lauritzen and his wife Rachel, claimed the bounty of the vehicle-plus a ton of goodies inside including various snacks and other gifts for the couple selected by Earnhardt Jr. and wife Amy-and drove it back to San Antonio, Texas.
While that’s enough to make anyone happy, the Lauritzens were focused on the good that the proceeds will do for the children and groups TDJF supports.
“I didn’t buy that ticket thinking I would really win,” Scott Lauritzen said just before he claimed the grand prize. “It was more about supporting the Foundation and all the work they do. It was a really nice surprise.”
Scott and Rachel were at work, eating lunch, when he remembered buying the ticket. “I was like, ‘OK, I need to pay attention later and see who won this thing.’ The phone rang, and it said Mooresville, N.C. Something told me to pick up the phone, and it was Jenni (Leibee) from the Foundation. I was like, ‘get out of here, you’ve got to be kidding me.’ That’s kind of how it went down.”
“I couldn’t believe it. I’m glad I answered that phone call.”
Lauritzen grew up a NASCAR fan as well as Indy Cars, and cheered for Dale Earnhardt Sr., Davey Allison and Rusty Wallace. Rachel is new to the sport and the couple has made a few NASCAR races at tracks like Circuit of the Americas, Atlanta and Daytona. A trip to Talladega is on the couple’s list for a new venue as well.
Mississippi native Scott is recently retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service on active duty.
“We’re very humbled, very grateful for the vehicle, but the big story here is the proceeds that came in for the Foundation,” Scott said. “The vehicle is great, but at the end of the day it’s about the money that came in to support local area kids.
“We’re just super grateful and humbled. Never in a million years did we think we’d win it, but there’s a lot of gratitude from both of us. From what I’ve heard, it was record-breaking donation for the revenue raised, and that’s really the big story.”
This year’s Win Dale Jr.’s Ride Raffle earned $505,000 for the Foundation, the most in its history.
“Very excited and thankful for the opportunity to come here and see the Charlotte/Mooresville area, because I’ve never been here before,” Rachel said. “I’m very grateful to be part of the picture that helped in a great cause.”