All Counties — (Contributed) — June 18, 2025 — Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) crews across the State came together last week to compete in the 2025 Equipment Operators Roadeo.

This event allows crews to put their equipment skills to the test. Each competition category was designed to reinforce real-world safety practices in a controlled, hands-on way. The Roadeo is one of the ways the Department keeps crews sharp while also increasing safety awareness of employees working in or around heavy machinery.

ARDOT employees are given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in operating the heavy equipment they use daily to maintain the State’s Highways and Interstates. Crews were tested for precision, safety awareness, and efficiency in seven key equipment categories: Lowboy Truck, Tandem Axle Dump Truck, Single Axle Dump Truck, Tractor/Mower, Backhoe, Motor Patrol, and Skid Steer. Competitors enter individually and represent the ARDOT district they work in.

In District 10, Tony Ruhl claimed second place in Tandem Axle Dump Truck, while Will Ring claimed third place in Backhoe. District 10 covers Craighead, Poinsett, Greene, Clay, Lawrence, Mississippi, and Randolph Counties.

The top two winners in each individual category will advance to represent ARDOT at the Southeastern Regional Equipment Operators Roadeo in Lexington, KY, later this fall. This regional competition brings together top operators from 13 states for a multi-day showcase of equipment agility and knowledge.

The Roadeo results are listed below.

2025 ARDOT Equipment Operators Roadeo Results:

  • Lowboy Truck
    • First Place: John Harvey – District 2
    • Second Place: Tyler Phillips – District 5
    • Third Place: Tommy Bull – District 8
  • Tandem Axle Dump Truck
    • First Place: TJ Pulley – District 1
    • Second Place: Tony Ruhl – District 10
    • Third Place: Brad Brown – District 1
  • Single Axle Dump Truck
    • First Place: Kirk Fossler – District 5
    • Second Place: Jon Carter – District 8
    • Third Place: Kyle Jones – District 1
  • Tractor/Mower
    • First Place: Rodney Armstrong – District 1
    • Second Place: Colt Holland – District 8
    • Third Place: Travis Swanson – District 9
  • Backhoe
    • First Place: Chad Foster – District 9
    • Second Place: Stephen Norris – District 5
    • Third Place: Will Ring – District 10
  • Motor Patrol
    • First Place: Nick Rushing – District 5
    • Second Place: Nathan Daniels – District 9
    • Third Place: Ryan Wages – District 7
  • Skid Steer
    • First Place: Larry Logsdon – District 4
    • Second Place: TJ Pulley – District 1
    • Third Place: Jon Carter – District 8
  • Crew Winners
    • First Place: District 5
    • Second Place: District 1
    • Third Place: District 9