SEMA Show, Day Three: Dealer wins car in Yokohama contest

Nov. 2, 2006

Yokohama Tire Corp. ran a "Beat the Odds" blackjack tourney at its booth at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association ) Show going on now in Las Vegas and awarded Lance Isbell, 42, from Friend Tire in Monett, Mo., a 2007 Lotus Exige or Elise -- his choice.

About 40 qualified tire dealers participated. Qualification was based on sales, according to Yokohama.

Mike Patrick, 35, from Tri-State Tire in Atlanta, Ga., won second place and $5,000 in casino chips; and Matt Malley, 52, from Discount Tire in Scottsdale, Ariz., won third place and $1,000 in casino chips.

The top three winners were given keys to a 2007 Lotus Exige S. Isbell's key was the one that started the car. Keys were then given to Patrick and Malley to open a boxes with casino chips. Patrick opened the box with $5,000.

Isbell said, "You're never going to believe this, but I lost $150 today playing blackjack! This was a great promotion by Yokohama. We all had a lot of fun. Now I'm going to spend the next few weeks picking out my new Lotus."