Chris Fox, a service dealer at Indy Tire Centers, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, outlasted 63 other service dealers to win $30,000 in the 2005 NAPA EXPO Million Dollar Texas Hold’em Poker Showdown, Dec. 7, at Bally’s Hotel and Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Sponsored by NAPA BRAKE and CHASSIS, and the NAPA ELECTRICAL GROUP, the poker tournament gave 64 lucky service dealers the chance to vie for $75,000 in cash prizes and an opportunity to play heads up against 2003 World Series of Poker Champion Chris Moneymaker for a chance to win a cool $1 million.

In addition to Fox, the poker tournament also produced three other big cash winners:
•Mike Dunning of Merrill Auto, Lakewood, CO, $15,000
•Chris Miller of Tuffy Auto Service Center, Grand Rapids, MI, $5,000
•Mike Dent of Muffler Masters, Ocean City, MD, $5,000

“I think everyone had a great time playing Texas Hold’em, and the family and friends who came along to cheer on their loved ones really made for a great atmosphere,” said Bill Smith, director of marketing for NAPA Rayloc. “Our customers truly are the key to making NAPA BRAKE and CHASSIS and NAPA ELECTRICAL GROUP so successful. Hats off to our four final players. They certainly knew when to hold em’ and when to fold em’.”

Fox, who said he plays poker only occasionally, was surprised at how far he lasted in the tournament.

“A couple of times I ended up going all in, and could have been out, but I got my card on the river twice to stay alive,” he said. “I just want to thank NAPA BRAKE and CHASSIS and the NAPA ELECTRICAL GROUP for this great opportunity. I’m just sorry my sales representative couldn’t have been here because his wife is ill. So this one is for him.”

As the service dealer champion, Fox then got to play poker against 2003 World Series of Poker Champion Chris Moneymaker heads up with the winner claiming an additional $20,000 bonus, and a chance to win $1 million if he were to beat Moneymaker with a royal flush. Moneymaker used his experience…and a pair of 10s…to slip past Fox for the victory.

“I love this stuff,” Moneymaker said of playing in the poker tournament with the service dealers. “This is what makes me get up in the morning. I loved coming out here and meeting all the NAPA people and service dealers. This has been a great event and I had a blast.”