2 Mesquite residents win $50K toward a new car from Stephen Wade in Eureka’s ‘The Big Ride’ promotion

Gregory Moore reacts after starting up the winning car at the Eureka Casino Resort, Mesquite, Nevada, April 9, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Wade Auto Center, St. George News

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Eureka Casino Resort’s “The Big Ride” promotion concluded last Saturday as two lucky winners each scored $50,000 toward their dream car. 

“The Big Ride” winner Charles Niemeyer and his wife, Judith, at Eureka Casino Resort in Mesquite, Nevada, April 9, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Wade Auto Center, St. George News

In front of a crowd of more than 300 people at the Eureka in Mesquite, Nevada, representatives from Stephen Wade Auto Center lined up six vehicles of various makes and models. A dozen players were selected from the barrel of weekly drawing winners and given boxes, half of which had a key corresponding to one of the cars on display. 

All six finalists climbed into the cars and turned their keys simultaneously. Only the two belonging to the grand prize winners started, and the confetti went flying.

“The energy and excitement was awesome,” Eureka spokesperson Ashleigh Mark said. 

The grand prize winners were Charles Niemeyer and Gregory Moore, both residents of Mesquite who frequently play at the Eureka. 

Niemeyer said he initially didn’t realize what was happening because the truck he was matched with, a Nissan Titan, started so quietly. Amid the crowd’s cheers, a casino employee hurried over to tell him that he had won. 

“The Big Ride” winner Gregory Moore and his wife, Laura, at Eureka Casino Resort in Mesquite, Nevada, April 9, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Wade Auto Center, St. George News

“It’s staggering,” he added. “Nothing like this has ever happened before.” 

As for Moore, three names were pulled from the barrel as finalists before him, but those players weren’t present at the drawing and therefore ineligible to win. His ticket was drawn next and ultimately landed him behind the wheel of the winning Mercedes-Benz.  

“I’ve still got the chills just thinking about it,” he said.  

Both winners told St. George News it’s too soon to think of a specific car they want, but they can use their Stephen Wade dealership credit however they wish. If they’d prefer to split it between two cars worth roughly $25,000 each, they can. Or perhaps they want to put the entire $50,000 toward the purchase price of a luxury vehicle.

Jamie Bahlmann, public relations director for Stephen Wade Auto Center, said the team at Southern Utah’s auto mall will make sure both drive away in the vehicles they truly want. Offering the largest selection of new and used vehicles in St. George, Stephen Wade features makes and models to fit every lifestyle all conveniently located on the same block. The Stephen Wade family of dealerships includes Nissan, Toyota, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Honda, Mazda and Mercedes-Benz. 

“The Big Ride” put a spin on traditional car giveaways by offering winners a credit to buy any car of their choice at Stephen Wade Auto Center rather than the car itself. Players accumulated points and entries into weekly drawings by playing Eureka’s slots. Each week, 24 winners were entered into the grand prize drawing.

Finalists are called to the stage during “The Big Ride” winners’ announcement at the Eureka Casino Resort, Mesquite, Nevada, April 9, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Stephen Wade Auto Center, St. George News

Although Niemeyer and Moore are both regulars at the Eureka, players of every level were included in the sweepstakes by winning one of the random weekly drawings. A total of 330 players took part in the grand prize drawing, and all walked away with prizes of at least $250 in cash.

“The excitement was there for the entire promotion,” Mark said. “It’s a staple for casinos to give away a car, but having the twist of a $50,000 credit to choose the car you want makes it unforgettable.” 

Eureka always has exciting promotions and great reasons to visit, Mark said. The 60-acre resort offers award-winning dining at Gregory’s Mesquite Grill and the Town Square Buffet along with an upscale casino featuring nearly 1,000 slots and video poker machines, plus a newly expanded sportsbook and live table games like blackjack, craps and roulette. 

The resort was founded in 1997 by the Lee family and sold to the employees in 2015, making it Nevada’s first 100% employee-owned casino. For multiple years, Eureka has been named one of Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Medium Workplaces” and a “Great Place to Work” certified company.

Eureka Casinos also operates the Rising Star Sports Ranch in Mesquite as well as The Brook, a casino in Seabrook, New Hampshire. The dedication of their employee-owners to hard work extends to each and every guest and the communities they serve.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

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