‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Contestant Wins Audi Q3 After Controversy Over Timing Rule

The “Wheel of Fortune” contestant, who many felt was cheated out of a luxurious prize, will be gifted with an Audi Q3 after a timing technicality caused her to lose her chance at a free car on the game show.

On Tuesday, contestant Charlene Rubush made it to the bonus round of “Wheel of Fortune,” having won $16,500. However, her delayed, yet correct, answer in the final category, “What are you doing?” cost her a brand new Audi Q3, according to the host.

Luckily for Rubush, Audi didn’t have the same sentiment. “You’re a winner in our eyes, Charlene. Now, let's get you a prize. Time to #GiveHerTheQ3,” the automobile company tweeted on its official Twitter account on Wednesday.

Later that evening, Audi revealed they were able to find Rubush. “There’s no community like the Audi community. With your help, we tracked down Charlene! More to come as we help #GiveHerTheQ3,” the tweet read.

Rubush initially guessed the incorrect answer, “choosing the right card,” but quickly followed up with the correct answer, “choosing the right word.” However, because she paused before saying the final word in the answer, host Pat Sajak claimed she lost the car.

“This one’s tough because you said all the right words, including the word ‘word,’ but as you know, it’s got to be more or less continuous,” Sajak explained.

“We’ll allow for a little pause but not four or five seconds. I’m sorry, you did a good job in getting it, but we can’t give you the prize, and it was the Audi.”

Rubush’s loss over the technicality prompted viewers, who were outraged by the timing technicality, to take to Twitter and slam the rules of the game show.

For now, fans will have to wait for the latest updates from Audi to find out when Rubush will receive the car that many “Wheel of Fortune” viewers felt she earned fairly.