Gas Godz and Cone Smashers win 2026 National Gas Rodeo titles

Gas Godz of Pacific Gas and Electric and Cone Smashers of Fabick Cat won the top overall championships at the 2026 National Gas Rodeo & Expo in Florence, Kentucky. The competition drew 56 teams from 14 states and highlighted safety, precision and teamwork across two-person and four-person divisions.

Why it matters: - The National Gas Rodeo spotlights the safety and job skills natural gas workers use in the field every day. - The event also gives utilities a way to compare training, teamwork and technical execution in a public competition. - Top finishers can use the competition as a showcase for workforce readiness and company pride.

What happened: - Gas Godz, representing Pacific Gas and Electric Company, won the 2026 overall championship in the four-person division. - Cone Smashers, representing Fabick Cat, won the 2026 overall championship in the two-person division. - The competition took place earlier this month at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky. - The event drew 56 teams from 14 states. - Teams competed at the 2026 National Gas Rodeo & Expo, which is powered by MEA Energy Association.

The details: - Gas Godz team members were Captain Santos Sandoval, Richard Thomason, Kyle Balestrieri and Alex Mena. - Cone Smashers team members were Captain Barry Hicks, Stephen Bouse and alternate Miguel Ochoa. - In the two-person division, The Duke Boys of Duke Energy placed second and Combustion Cowboys of Duke Energy placed third. - In the four-person division, Mad Tappers of City Utilities of Springfield placed second and Gas Masters of Duke Energy placed third. - Qualifying events tested teams on installing a service line, manually excavating a pit, cutting six-inch metal pipe and assembling a meter set. - The top 10 teams in each division advanced to a relay event that tested technical ability, communication, speed and precision. - Relay tasks included operating a utility truck with a trailer and maneuvering an egg with a backhoe bucket. - The competition field included 32 two-person teams and 24 four-person teams. - Fastest times in the two-person field went to Combustion Cowboys in meter set, The Duke Boys in pipe cut and service install, Not For Hire of CPS Energy in hand dig, and Cone Smashers in relay. - Fastest times in the four-person field went to Mad Tappers in meter set, Gas Masters in pipe cut and hand dig, Gas Godz in service install, and All Gas No Brakes of CPS Energy in relay. - Gas Masters of Duke Energy received the Spirit of the Rodeo Award after sharing equipment with another team that had an unexpected equipment issue. - Scott Snedden of Ameren Illinois won the Caterpillar Mystery Event. - Skunk City won the Milwaukee Tool Cornhole Tournament, and Smells Like Money took second place. - Dylan Gillespie of San Diego Gas & Electric won a PlayStation 5 by correctly guessing how far the natural gas pipeline inspection gauge, or PIG, would fly. - 6” Delivery from Xcel Energy won favorite team shirt, and the team’s chosen charity will receive a $1,000 donation. - Gas Godz finished second in favorite team shirt, and the team’s chosen charity will receive a $500 donation.

Between the lines: - The Rodeo is as much about culture as competition, with organizers emphasizing camaraderie, sportsmanship and pride in the profession. - The event also functions as a recruiting and retention tool by showcasing the skills and teamwork required in natural gas operations. - Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas served as host utilities for the third and final year at Turfway Park. - The livestream expanded access for colleagues, families and industry peers who could not attend in person.

What’s next: - The National Gas Rodeo Committee will continue to guide event planning, rules, schedules and judging for future competitions. - MEA Energy Association is directing attendees and other interested readers to learn more about the National Gas Rodeo & Expo. - MEA said the Rodeo will remain a venue for technical competition, relationship-building and industry recognition.