Chris Neufeld had made just one 717 Supply purchase, a single shirt he proudly wore to the prize reveal. When asked about it later, he said, “The t-shirt cost me $38 and I got a $160,000 prize.” The math was easy to grasp, even if the reality took a little longer to sink in.
Like many others, Neufeld had his initial doubts. “I think everybody thinks it’s a scam at some point,” he admitted, similar to what previous winners have said. Before his win, Neufeld had been driving a 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab with a Cummins diesel, a truck built for work, not luxury. The moment of truth came when the massive pickup was unveiled. “There she is, buddy,” Hyssong said as the covers came off.
His family reacted just as you’d expect, with Ashley’s brother in Virginia jokingly volunteering to collect the truck himself. Still, choosing to make the trip themselves proved worthwhile. Even their ride from the airport became part of the story as Hyssong personally drove them, kicking off the adventure with a personal touch.