Poker Meets NASCAR Meets Golf

[Shame About Ray]

It was a fantastic day for golf at the TPC in Scottsdale on Wednesday, April 9. Especially for recent Victory Lane Players (VLP) Club winner Steven Warner of Columbus, Ohio. A VLP Club member since September, Warner came out of the cold, parlaying his $20 per month membership into “an opportunity of a lifetime,” winning VLP Club’s online free-play “Golf with Dale Jarrett Tournament” in March. The winner enjoyed two nights of Phoenix first-class accommodations, and then paired with NASCAR champion Jarrett at the TPC Arizona against Speed Channel producer Marc Smith and World Poker Tour (WPT) champion Roy Winston. Warner proved to be a better poker player than putter, with Jarrett exhibiting impressive skills on the golf course and eventually leading his team to a final victory.

“Our golf courses are still frozen in Ohio,” said Warner. “So, I haven’t had a chance to swing a club in a while.” The Columbus native, also an avid NASCAR fan, was unaffected by his results on the green. “This is a great time.” Warner lifted his chin and closed his eyes, allowing the moment and the Arizona rays to sink in. “In fact, it’s the experience of a lifetime.”

So how does a guy from the Buckeye State get a chance to score par over 18 holes with Dale Jarrett? Apparently it’s simple, risk-free, and legal. The “Golf With Dale Jarrett Tournament” is only one of the many elite prizes offered on the points-for-play online poker room partnered by famous NASCAR drivers who are also poker enthusiasts.

Warner, a.k.a. “Eightyeight” at VLP Club, whittled away the competition during March’s online “Golf With Dale Jarrett Tournament,” determined to win the first place prize of a day at TPC Arizona. When action was down to heads-up, “Eightyeight” was appropriately dealt pocket eights - coincidently, the same name as Jarrett’s highly successful RYR #88, one for the NASCAR record books. “Eighteight’s” pocket pair held up against his opponent’s 10-9 off-suit with the board showing Q, 7, 3, Q, 2.

“It was almost too easy,” remarked Warner. “I’ve never had to invest more than a few dollars a month and I’ve never had to worry about losing. It’s worth the membership price alone just to be able to play with these guys,” referring to the half-dozen NASCAR legends who appear regularly at VLP Club.

The recent success of VLP Club is proof that poker is more than just America’s favorite past time, with famous names like Dale Jarrett, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Eliott Sadler, and Jamie McMurray making it a sport. Their love for the game sparked the famed boys club to develop the VLP Club, not only to satisfy their second passion of poker, but to also provide race fans an opportunity to interact with them at the felt. VLP Club made it’s debut in September 2007, and though most online poker rooms have experienced negative affects brought on by the UIGEA ruling, this free-play site enjoys impressive growth.

“I’m about done driving,” announced Jarrett. “Don’t get me wrong. I love racing, but at my age it’s beginning to feel like a job.” Race car drivers dedicate ten months a year to the circuit, and Jarrett sounded eager to eventually “stay in one place, putt around the golf course, and play a little more poker.”

VLP Club is gearing up for their a second event as part of the Bristol Bash Tournament Series. Elliott Sadler will soon be hosting a no-limit hold’em competition on VLP Club, with players competing for a chance to win a trip to Bristol Motor Speedway in August. The winner and their guest will join Sadler in his personal Motorcoach before the race, and then watch the excitement of the high-banked half-mile race from atop the track in his private suite.

The new Bristol Bash Tournament Series on VLPClub.net will feature a number of new prizes, more tournaments and a newly redesigned website in addition to the grand prize weekend with Sadler. Race fans can also win daily prizes, including NASCAR merchandise autographed by Dale Jr., Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Dale Jarrett, Jamie McMurray and Elliott Sadler.

Fans can log onto VLPClub.net and play for free anytime during the Bristol Bash Tournament Series. Weekly tournament winners will qualify for the grand prize weekend with additional prize tournaments running daily and featuring autographed helmets, VLP Club apparel, Dale Jr. Online gift cards, autographed Aces and other one-of-a-kind merchandise only available at VLP Club.

Dale Jarrett Tees Off With Online Poker Free Play VLP Club Winner Steven Warner
Lisa Wheeler
All In Magazine