Walnut Ridge, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Thousands of people packed the Cavenaugh Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership in Walnut Ridge Saturday morning as the Jonesboro Media Group, area Sonic Drive-Ins and Cavenaugh Auto Group wrapped up a ten-week promotion with the giveaway of a 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S and thousands of dollars in cash prizes.
When the final name was drawn, the Jeep went to 20-year-old Cayden Stevenson of Jonesboro, an Arkansas State University freshman.
And for Stevenson, the prize was even more special because the Jeep is his first vehicle ever.
“It’s amazing,” Stevenson said moments after being announced as the winner.
Stevenson admitted he didn’t expect to win. “I really thought of how many people are going to be here,” he said. “I was like, yeah, really low chance.”
There were plenty of people hoping to hear their own name called. A total of 1,836 contestants checked in for the giveaway, while well over 3,000 people attended the event.
Stevenson said his first trip in his new Jeep would be a short one. “Going right back home and going to celebrate the family,” he said.
The Jeep was provided by Cavenaugh Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and received an extensive “uplift” from Parrish Automotive, including tires, wheels, steps, a lift kit and window tint.
Stevenson said he was already familiar with the Jeep tradition of decorating vehicles with rubber ducks — and revealed he already has some ducks waiting at home.
“You’re a member of the Jeep family now,” Jonesboro Media Group personality Phil Jamison told him. Stevenson replied, “Yeah. I got some at home already.”
The giveaway marked the 26th consecutive year that Cavenaugh, Sonic and the Jonesboro Media Group have partnered to conduct a vehicle giveaway.
Cavenaugh Auto Group owner Don Cavenaugh congratulated Stevenson from the stage.
“Congratulations on your first new vehicle ever,” Cavenaugh said. “I hope we make you a Cavenaugh customer for life.”
Cavenaugh also thanked the thousands of people who came to the dealership. “I love doing these giveaway promotions and seeing all of you on our lot like this,” he said. “Thank all of you for coming and I hope you’ll come back and do business with Cavenaugh.”
Tracy Moore, general manager of Cavenaugh Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, said the dealership enjoyed being part of the promotion.
“We had so much fun with this promotion,” Moore said. “I enjoyed getting to work with the Jonesboro Media Group on this giveaway. They are good at what they do for us.”
The huge turnout created heavy traffic around the dealership Saturday morning. Lawrence County Sheriff Tony Waldrupe had deputies on hand to help direct traffic as thousands of people arrived for the event.
Once the giveaway concluded, the crowd cleared out quickly and traffic moved smoothly from the dealership.
The event included live entertainment from BLOODHOUND, while the Jonesboro Media Group provided food and refreshments for the crowd. The JMG Craft propane-powered BFG served all-beef hot dogs, chips and cold Pepsi products provided with ice from Watson Ice. The Baskin Robbins Pleezer Freezer was also on hand, giving away free ice cream.
For Jonesboro Media Group President and General Manager Trey Stafford, the event was about more than giving away a vehicle.
“This event brings thousands of our listeners together,” Stafford said. “Listeners that we don’t get to see often. It’s just a great feeling to know so many people listen and enjoy and appreciate what we do.”
Stafford said one brief encounter with a young listener after the giveaway summed up the connection radio can create with its audience.
“I met a young girl a few minutes ago that says she listens to me and Jim Frigo every morning,” Stafford said. “She said her mom has a little box on her bedside table that has a clock on it and our voices are coming out of it every morning!”
Stafford laughed. “By golly, I think she’s talking about a clock radio! How ‘bout that?!”
For Stevenson, however, Saturday will be remembered for a much bigger reason. He arrived at Cavenaugh Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram as one of 1,836 contestants hoping to win. He left as the owner of a brand-new 2025 Jeep Wrangler — his very first vehicle. And he said his first stop would be home to celebrate with his family.
