A bold gamble in the Bonus Round cost one “Wheel of Fortune” contestant a shot at nearly $60,000 — and fans at home had plenty to say about it.

McKenzie Rowland of Greer, South Carolina, came into the February 10 episode with momentum and a major lead. But when it mattered most, an unusual letter choice shifted the game’s trajectory — and not in her favor.

The episode was part of the show’s NASCAR Tournament week, where the top three winners will return for a chance to score a trip to the Daytona 500. A self-described NASCAR superfan, Rowland fully embraced the theme. She even decorated her nine-month-old baby’s nursery with racing memorabilia. Her husband, Kyle — who introduced her to the sport — cheered her on from the audience.

Rowland competed against Dan Geilston from Aston, Pennsylvania, and Talbert Woodall of Somers Point, New Jersey. Geilston, a dedicated baseball card collector, and Rowland each grabbed an early Toss-Up puzzle.

Rowland surged ahead during the “Before & After” category, solving the clever mash-up “Harrison Ford Bronco.” The win not only boosted her score but also landed her a trip to Chicagoland Speedway, bringing her total to $11,950.

Woodall, who lost his arm in a motorcycle accident a decade ago, got on the board with “Slower Traffic. Keep Right,” earning $3,100. Geilston answered back in the Prize Puzzle round, correctly solving “Staying Hydrated” to secure a getaway to the Canadian Rockies and push his total to $14,599.

The competition tightened during the Triple Toss-Ups. Geilston claimed two of the three puzzles, adding $4,000 to his total, while Rowland snagged the remaining one.

The final puzzle proved to be a grind, with contestants repeatedly calling letters that weren’t there. After several misses, Rowland broke through with “It Pays The Bills,” pocketing another $7,500 and finishing the main game at $19,450 — just enough to edge out Geilston’s $18,599. Woodall departed with $5,100.

That win sent Rowland to the Bonus Round, where she selected the category “Phrase.”

After the standard letters R, S, T, L, N and E were revealed, Rowland chose J, C, H and A — a combination that immediately caught viewers’ attention. The board then showed:

_ H A T A _ _ N _ _ _ _ E R

As the countdown ticked away, Rowland quickly identified the opening words: “What a …” But the final two words eluded her. The correct answer was “What a Kind Offer.”

Inside the envelope? An additional $40,000 — money that would have lifted her grand total to $59,450.

Social media lit up after the episode aired, with many fans questioning the decision to include the letter “J.” Some argued the uncommon consonant rarely appears in Bonus Round solutions unless it starts a word — and nothing on the board suggested that pattern. Others speculated she may have been aiming for a phrase beginning with “Just,” only to realize too late that the puzzle didn’t contain an “S.”

Whether Rowland earns a return trip during NASCAR Tournament week remains unclear. What is certain: one risky letter choice turned a potential five-figure payday into a near miss — and gave fans plenty to debate.

Sources: TV Insider