The National Equipment League Is Back for a Third Season with New Events, Competitors and Channels

By Pam Kleineke September 19, 2025 View Profile

Photos provided by the National Equipment League.

The National Equipment League (NEL) is back! Originally launched in 2024, the NEL is currently in its third season with the first two events now available to view online. New apps and channels are also available this season to expand the league’s viewership.

Developed in partnership with Hyundai Construction Equipment North America, the NEL is a professional sports league built to showcase the skill and character of heavy equipment operators in the construction industry. The league also helps to highlight careers in the construction industry in an entertaining and competitive way. Since its inception, the NEL has held two major tournaments and a qualifying event in the lead-up to its third “season.” The current season will culminate in a champion being crowned just before Utility Expo 2025.

Tough Competition

Both Mike “Dirt Perfect” Simon and Bryan Furnace have returned for the third season. Simon is the league’s defending champion and Furnace was the inaugural champion in 2024. They’re joined by Chris “LetsDig18” Guins, Tom “Dirt Ninja” Gardocki, Madisen McCaulley and Mike Frey.

According to the press release, Frey earned his spot by taking second place in the “Diamond Equipment Qualifier” held at Lincoln Park Speedway in June 2025. Dana Bontrage came in first at that event and will participate in a future championship tournament.

“From top to bottom it’s the most competitive field we’ve had, and as the league continues to grow, we’ll bring in more competitors and events to create more opportunities for these skilled tradespeople to show off their talents and inspire future generations,” says NEL Commissioner Bill Elverman. “The audience and the industry have responded positively, and we’re now bringing the league to a wider global audience through Roku and Apple, and hosting bigger and better events with great partners like Hyundai.”

More Ways to Watch

Season three of the NEL is reaching even more people thanks for new viewing opportunities.

From the press release:

The first two events of Season Three are now available for viewing on YouTube: The Owner-Operator Challenge and the Ski Loader Slalom. And now, for the first time, the NEL is available on popular streaming platforms with its own app that can be found by searching “National Equipment League” on Roku, and also on all Apple devices by searching “National Equipment League” in the Apple App Store — both for iPhones and tablets, as well as Apple TV. The first two seasons of NEL are available to binge on each platform, while each new episode of season three is being released on each platform at the same time as it debuts on YouTube.

Each event is shot and broadcast like all major professional sports and brings the audience along on a roller coaster of wins, losses, emotions, strategies and complications that deliver legitimate drama over the course of each challenge.

“I’ve said that NEL mixes the passion of mixed martial arts with the attitude of dirt track racing, and the first two seasons, and our inaugural qualifying event, paid off on that,” says Elverman. “All while showing the character and camaraderie that exists in the construction industry. There’s really nothing like it, and it makes for compelling competition.”

Elverman added that the next event — the Four-in-One Bucket Challenge — is the “best and most entertaining challenge yet.” Will Simon retain his title? Stay tuned.

Support for the National Equipment League

In addition to Hyundai, promotional partners for the NEL this season include:

The NEL also noted that each competitor is sponsored by a construction equipment dealer in the competition. Season three host sponsors include:

Hyundai Utility Expo Operator Challenge

Heading to The Utility Expo next month? Check out the “Hyundai Utility Expo Operator Challenge.” Hosted by Hyundai, the winner of this event will win $1,000 and a slot in the next big NEL championship event. The NEL said qualifying will take place in Hyundai’s booth at the show (K345) on Tuesday, October 7 at 1:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, October 8 at 9:00 a.m. The finals of the Hyundai Utility Expo Operator Challenge will be on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.

Interested in participating? You can sign up to compete in person at the show. Also, be sure to follow along with Hyundai on Facebook for additional information leading up to the event.

“The regional and event-based qualifying structure is something we’ll leverage more to bring new blood into the tournaments and to keep growing the audience,” says Elverman. “Diamond Equipment in Indiana, for instance, has been a great partner in this, and Hyundai is already planning on something special for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026.

“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.”

Pam Kleineke is managing editor of Compact Equipment.