$5 Scratch-Off Turns Into $144K Payday for Asheville Player

An Asheville man just got a serious jolt of good luck after hitting the top prize on a $5 scratch-off ticket.

Clarence Payton bought a High Voltage Cash ticket from Tunnel Rd Gas & Vape on Tunnel Road in Asheville, and it turned out to be a big winner. After scratching it, he realized he’d landed the game’s top prize.

? A Winning Moment

Payton visited the North Carolina Education Lottery headquarters on Friday to claim his prize. After required state and federal taxes, he walked away with $144,021 in take-home winnings.

?? About the Game

The High Voltage Cash scratch-off launched in October and offered four $200,000 top prizes.

• Two of those top prizes have already been claimed

• Two top prizes are still out there waiting to be won

? Lottery Impact

Lottery officials say the games also help support education across the state. In Buncombe County alone, lottery funds provided about $11.5 million for education programs last year, helping schools and local initiatives.

For Payton, though, the story is simple: a quick stop for a scratch-off turned into a six-figure payday and a pretty electrifying surprise.