Skip to main content
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

Viewers tuning into “The Price Is Right” on June 26 saw something unusual: a contestant winning a spot on stage, playing for a brand-new car, and then vanishing before the Showcase Showdown. 

Kathy Young won the third bid of the day with her $625 guess, scoring a set of workout equipment worth $749. That victory sent her to the stage, where she met Drew Carey and took on the price guessing game “Gridlock.”

Young had a chance to win a 2025 Toyota Corolla LE. 

The game began with “2” as the first digit of the Corolla’s MSRP. She correctly picked “41” for the middle numbers but guessed “20” for the final two, which made the total $24,120. Close, but not quite. 

She got a second shot and chose “95,” bumping her guess to $24,195. The correct price was $24,157. No car, no keys, just the sound of disappointment and the audience’s collective sigh.

Normally, “The Price Is Right” contestants who lose a pricing game still head over to spin the Big Wheel

But when the show returned from commercial, Carey announced that Young wouldn’t be spinning due to an emergency. Only two contestants competed in the Showcase Showdown. 

Carey wished Young well on air and again during the closing credits.

You can watch the full episode on CBS.

In a message to TV Insider, The Price Is Right confirmed that Young couldn’t complete the taping due to unforeseen circumstances:

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, one of our contestants was unfortunately unable to complete her time on a recent episode of The Price Is Right. We are pleased to share that Kathy has been invited to return as our special member of our audience for a future show taping. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome her back and extend our sincere thanks to Kathy —and to all of our loyal viewers—for being such an incredible part of our television family.

-The Price Is Right Production.”

They’ve since invited her back as a special guest for a future show in Season 54

They also confirmed she’ll still receive the prizes she did win before her early exit.

Fans online expressed concern, with many hoping it was something minor. While the reason for her sudden departure remains unclear, one thing’s for sure: Kathy made “Price Is Right” history without winning a new car…or even spinning the wheel.

Related

The Toyota Prius and Other Cars Most Likely to Take You to 200,000 Miles

Best in News
Avatar photo
Editor-in-Chief

Sarah Kennedy

Sarah Kennedy is the Editor-in-Chief of MotorBiscuit. She joined the team as Managing Editor in 2021 and has more than 20 years of automotive and operations expertise. She held ASE certifications as an Automotive Service Consultant and Parts Specialist and was a licensed car salesperson for many years. Sarah often focuses on helping drivers navigate used car buying and vehicle ownership. She created “Shop Smarts,” a column for MOTOR Magazine, and was a contributor there for eight years. Her work earned her a Gold Medalist award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors in 2014 and Bronze Medalist awards from the International Automotive Media Competition in 2014 and 2015. She attended the Automotive Management Institute and earned her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University.