Some of the most knowledgeable race fans in the area gathered in Hazleton Saturday morning for a chance to win a new car, thanks to the Times News and Fairway Chevrolet.

The winners of the Times News Auto Racing Challenge were entered in a drawing to potentially win $30,000 toward the vehicle of their choice, thanks to Fairway, located on 309 in Hazle Township, Luzerne County.It was the culmination of a yearlong competition where contestants picked the drivers they thought had the best shot at winning NASCAR Sprint Cup races.Many of the winners had a car in mind. 18-year-old Nicholas Bollinger of Kunkletown had his eye on a Camaro that was parked right outside the dealership."I don't have a car really, it would be a pretty nice gift," he said.Contestants had to win two drawings in order to get the cash. Dave Comisac of Brockton, Schuylkill County picked the lucky envelope in the first drawing. His second pick was not as lucky, and he was not able to win the $30,000 grand prize.In the first drawing, Comisac beat out about 20 fellow contest winners to have a chance at the big prize.The contest winners got invited to Fairway by winning one of the 37 weekly contests held during each NASCAR race. The top point scorer from the entire season, Tom Miller of Pottsville, was also given an entry.Players said they had different strategies. Some chose the drivers who were riding a string of good luck, others took it a step further and looked back at previous years."You have to know what drivers are good at what tracks," said Daniel Angst of Nesquehoning.Each race, contestants were able to pick 10 drivers. The combination of drivers which finished highest won a shot at Saturday's drawing and a $20 gift card to Popcorn Buddha in Stroudsburg.Mike Maietta traveled all the way from New Jersey for the drawing. He called himself a novice at picking NASCAR races, but he was lucky enough to win the Daytona 500 contest back in February.He said playing the contest gave him even more incentive to watch NASCAR races."It's a long season, but it's a lot of fun," he said.