Sometimes one small stop can turn into a life-changing moment, and that’s exactly what happened to Asheville resident Lee Cox. A quick visit to the iMarket in the scenic mountain town led to a purchase that ended up keeping him—and his wife—wide awake with excitement.
It started with nothing more than a simple $1 Carolina Cash 5 ticket. Lee wasn’t expecting much, but when he checked the winning numbers from the September 19 drawing, his ticket matched them all. Suddenly, that modest dollar was worth a whopping $120,000.
A Night Too Exciting for Sleep
Lee admitted that once the reality of his win set in, there was no chance of getting a good night’s rest. The first thing he did was share the news with his wife, and from that moment, sleep was out of the question. “I told my wife and she couldn’t go to sleep either,” Lee recalled. “She was so excited.” Their household turned into a celebration, buzzing with energy and disbelief.
When asked about his reaction, Lee described it with childlike joy. “I was like a kid at Christmas,” he said, still sounding in awe of the life-changing moment.
Winning Big in the Carolina Cash 5
Carolina Cash 5 has long been a favorite among North Carolina lottery players. It’s simple, affordable, and carries jackpots that can change someone’s life overnight. For Lee, this game of chance truly delivered. According to lottery officials, he “could barely control his excitement” after realizing just how much he had won.
And his win wasn’t the only highlight of that week. The very next day, another lucky Cash 5 player scored $100,000—proof that fortune was definitely smiling on North Carolina that weekend.
Taking Home the Prize
While the headline number was $120,000, the final take-home amount was slightly less after taxes. Lee walked away with $86,101 in his pocket, still more than enough to make some exciting new plans. For him, the dream is simple but special: he hopes to use his winnings toward buying property in Holden Beach, a charming coastal town where he can enjoy the slower pace of life by the water.
Why This Win Feels Extra Special
What makes Lee’s story stand out isn’t just the prize—it’s the way it unfolded:
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A $1 chance turned into six figures.
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A restless night filled with joy and disbelief.
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Dreams of beachside property becoming a reality.
Moments like these show why so many people play the lottery. It’s not only about the possibility of winning money but also about the thrill of “what if.” For Lee, that “what if” turned into a resounding “yes.”
A Reminder for Dreamers
Every ticket sold carries a small spark of hope, and Lee Cox’s story is living proof of that. His win highlights the unpredictable magic of the lottery—how an everyday purchase can open the door to extraordinary possibilities.
Asheville locals and lottery fans across the state are cheering him on, wishing him the best as he moves forward with new dreams in sight. And for Lee and his wife, that one restless night will always be remembered as the night everything changed.
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