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NASCAR WCUP: Oakwood Homes Makes a Dream Come True

18 November 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --- Oakwood Homes concluded their second annual Racin' Sellabration at Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte on Monday, November 15. Although several customers and employees participated in the Richard Petty Driving Experience throughout the day, one customer had a dream come true by becoming a first time homeowner.

Seven eligible contestants each drew a key in hopes that their key would open the door to a Sunrise Dream Home that Oakwood was giving away as part of their Racin' Sellabration promotion.

Sam Lockwood, 36, of San Antonio, Texas was the only contestant to ask "Billy," of the syndicated radio show "John Boy & Billy," to draw his key for him. That particular key opened the front door to a 1,296-square-foot, three bedroom, two bath Sunrise Dream Home.

Once Lockwood realized he had opened the door, he leapt off the porch to hug and thank Billy for drawing the winning key. Billy said he chose that particular key because it was the only one he could reach.

"My legs are shaking," said an elated Lockwood. "I thought I was shaking in the car earlier. My adrenaline has kicked in for about the fifth time today. It has been an unbelievable day. Oakwood Homes invited me here from Texas and I am so appreciative for all they have done for me. I had so much fun today. I took it nice and easy on the track, but to win the home is just overwhelming."

"I have a piece of property in central Texas that has just been sitting there," said Lockwood. "I entered the contest while I was shopping for this exact home. I don't have a family yet, but maybe my stock has risen since I can now drive fast and I'm a homeowner too."

Lockwood, who currently rents a home in San Antonio, Texas, attended medical school at the University of Texas in Gavelston and just recently completed his residency. He is now working as a doctor of radiology.

Following a quick phone call to his mother in Texas, NASCAR veteran driver Ken Schrader gave the new homeowner a tour of his new place. "I can handle the space," said Lockwood. "It is plenty of room for a bachelor. I have had such a great time. My experience with Oakwood Homes has been wonderful and I can't thank them enough."

The Oakwood shoppers won the driving school opportunity by looking at homes at company sales centers throughout the promotion. In 2000, Oakwood Homes will sponsor the No. 33 Andy Petree Racing Chevrolet driven by Joe Nemechek in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.

Oakwood Homes Corporation, founded in 1946, is a fully integrated housing company that manufactures, retails, finances and insures factory-built homes in a 28-state region stretching from coast to coast. Headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., Oakwood Homes is the largest retailer and the third-largest manufacturer in the industry. Oakwood Homes retails its homes through company-owned and independent locations. The company operates nearly 360 sales centers, 24 plants and employs more than 10,000 employees nationwide. Oakwood Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OH.

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