The National Equipment League (NEL) is back for Season Three, and this year the action is bigger, bolder, and easier to watch than ever. Defending champion Mike "Dirt Perfect" Simon faces the toughest field yet. The league expands its media footprint to Roku, Apple devices, and Apple TV broadcast with the production quality of major professional sports, to bring the thrill of heavy equipment competition straight to viewers' screens.
Developed in partnership with Hyundai Construction Equipment North America, NEL is a professional sports league that highlights the skill, precision, and character of heavy equipment operators while showcasing careers in the construction industry in an entertaining, high-stakes format. Launched in 2024, NEL has already hosted two major tournaments and a qualifying event, all building toward Season Three, which will crown a champion just before The Utility Expo 2025.
Watch Season Three Owner-Operator Challenge here.
Watch Season Three Ski Loader Slalom here.
Joining Simon and returning competitor Bryan Furnace, the league's inaugural champion in 2024, are Chris "LetsDig18" Guins, Tom "Dirt Ninja" Gardocki, Madisen McCaulley, and Mike Frey. Frey earned his spot after finishing second at the Diamond Equipment Qualifier in June 2025 at Lincoln Park Speedway. First-place winner Dana Bontrager will compete in a future championship event.
"From top to bottom, this is the most competitive field we've had," says NEL Commissioner Bill Elverman. "As the league grows, we're bringing in more competitors and more events to give these skilled tradespeople a platform to showcase their talents and inspire the next generation. With Roku and Apple joining our distribution, fans around the world can tune in."
The first two Season Three events, The Owner-Operator Challenge and Ski Loader Slalom, are available now on YouTube. For the first time, fans can also watch NEL on popular streaming platforms. Search for "National Equipment League" on Roku or in the Apple App Store for iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV. Previous seasons are available to binge, with each new Season Three episode released simultaneously across platforms.
"I've said NEL mixes the passion of mixed martial arts with the attitude of dirt track racing," says Elverman. "The first two seasons, plus our inaugural qualifying event, proved it. But the league also highlights the camaraderie, skill, and character that exist in the construction industry, all while giving fans real, compelling competition."
Elverman encourages fans to watch the upcoming Four-in-One Bucket Challenge, which he calls "the best and most entertaining challenge yet." The event will test whether Simon retains his title or if a new competitor rises to the occasion.
"There's an inherent competitiveness among equipment operators — they love dissecting problems, they want to know who's better, and they love giving it their all and leaving it all out there in an effort to prove that they're the best. We're here to support and amplify that in the interest of growing the construction industry."
Season Three features a roster of supporting partners, including Blue Diamond Attachments, Triple Crown Products, Thunder Creek Equipment, and The Utility Expo 2025. Competitors are also sponsored by construction equipment dealers, with host sponsors including Diamond Equipment, National Equipment Dealers, Ahearn Equipment, Buck & Knobby, and Jet City Equipment.
Hyundai Construction Equipment North America will host the "Hyundai Utility Expo Operator Challenge" at The Utility Expo 2025. The winner will receive $1,000 and a spot in the next NEL championship event. Qualifying takes place in Hyundai's booth (K345) on Tuesday, October 7 at 1:00 PM and Wednesday, October 8 at 9:00 AM, with finals on Wednesday at 1:00 PM. Interested participants can sign up on site, and fans can follow Hyundai on Facebook for updates leading up to the show.
"The regional and event-based qualifying system lets us bring in fresh talent and expand the league's audience," says Elverman. "Partners like Diamond Equipment in Indiana have been incredible, and Hyundai is already planning something special for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026. Equipment operators are inherently competitive. They love solving challenges, testing their skills, and leaving it all on the jobsite. NEL amplifies that energy while promoting the construction industry to a wider audience."
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