The winners of the N.C. Department of Transporation's Equipment Roadeo,” held in Concord April 2-3, were, from left, Dustin Thompson, Stanly County Maintenance – Single Axle Truck; Billy Sikes, Anson County Maintenance – Tandem Axle Truck; Henry Bryant, Bituminous Unit – Low Boy Truck; Josh Eudy, Union County Maintenance – Backhoe; Roy Poplin, Stanly County Maintenance – Motor Grader; and Ryan Bowers, Roadside Environmental Unit – Tractor-Mower. The winners will compete in a statewide "Roadeo" this summer in Raleigh.

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CHARLOTTE — The N.C. Department of Transportation is proud to announce the winners of the “Equipment Roadeo,” held in Concord April 2-3. The annual event tests the safety awareness and skill level of NCDOT maintenance employees in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, Stanly and Anson counties who operate heavy equipment.

More than 50 participants engaged in friendly competition with their co-workers to determine who can best maneuver a dump truck, tractor, backhoe or motor grader through obstacle courses that model real-life scenarios. The winner in each category will move on to compete in the statewide “Roadeo” in Raleigh this summer.

The winners are: Dustin Thompson, Stanly County Maintenance — Single Axle Truck; Billy Sikes, Anson County Maintenance — Tandem Axle Truck; Henry Bryant, Bituminous Unit — Low Boy Truck; Josh Eudy, Union County Maintenance — Backhoe; Roy Poplin, Stanly County Maintenance — Motor Grader; and Ryan Bowers, Roadside Environmental Unit — Tractor-Mower.

The overall goals of the “Roadeo” include helping NCDOT workers advance their skills, emphasizing the importance of safety when operating heavy equipment, fostering a sense of team spirit and recognizing employees who excel at their jobs.