The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Continues Toward Las Vegas

Words: Matthew Cash, Brian Tuttle, Eric Kent, Emilio Dibra, Esteban Cabral, Jake Brock, Brian Wade, Trint Pierce, Riel Voigt, Filipe Orfao, Grzegorz Gora, Vince Wright, Joe Masters, David SrFrom July 22nd to September 22nd of this year, the 24-stop SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Regional Series has made its way through 12 cities in search of the best bricklaying teams in North America. The search for the best bricklayer and mason tender dynamic duo in the industry has been more intense than ever. All eyes are beginning to turn toward Vegas, the site of the 2018 World Championship at the World of Concrete show. With only four more qualifying rounds left to go as of October 18th, 2017, the stage is nearly set for the main event on January 24th, 2018 in the MASONRY MADNESS® Arena in the World of Concrete Bronze Lot. Now in its 15th consecutive year, the qualifier competitions are intended to test the skill, stamina, and speed of masons. In order to advance to Las Vegas, teams must win first place in one of the 24 regional contests. Last year’s Champion, Matt Cash of Huntley Brothers Company in Mint Hill, NC and SPEC MIX TOP CRAFTSMAN® winner Brian Tuttle of Quik Trowell Masonry in Clearfield, UT, will be back to defend their respective crowns. The competition is tougher than ever, and over 4,000 fans are expected to pack the house and cheer on the best of the best. Over $100,000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs, including a Ford F-250 Super Duty 4X4 pickup. The Regional winners advancing to Las Vegas as of September 22nd are: East Tennessee Mason – Brian Wade - 624 Brick Tender – Brian Mullins Wade Masonry, Inc., Stanton, KY Ohio Mason – Emilio Dibra - 572 Brick Tender – Charlie Cheatham United Masonry, Highland Heights, OH Utah Mason – Trint Pierce – 562 brick Tender – Alex Groesbeck Kim Pierce Masonry, Spanish Fork, UT Wisconsin Mason – Jake Brock – 488 Brick Tender – Nick Miller Brock Construction, Fort Atkinson, WI British Columbia Mason – Riel Voigt - 697 Brick Tender – Josh Shelley S&S Masonry, Langley, BC Ontario Mason – Filipe Orfao - 693 Brick Tender – Jose Orfao Res Masonry Inc, Cookstown, ON Illinois Mason – Grzegorz Gora- 670 Brick Tender – Stefan Majercak Molloy Masonry, Chicago, IL Florida Mason – Vince Wright - 569 Brick Tender – Clint Wright Wright Masonry, Section, AL Colorado Mason – Esteban Cabral - 665 Brick Tender –Oscar Gaucin Phoenix Masonry, Thornton, CO Washington Mason – Eric Kent - 493 Brick Tender – Phil Evans R&D Masonry, Marysville, WA Pennsylvania Mason – Joe Masters - 342 Brick Tender – Ryan Drakeley Dan Lepore & Sons Company, Conshohocken, PA California Mason – David Jones Sr. - 513 Brick Tender – David Jones Jr. Bratton Masonry Inc., Fresno, CA   From the beginning, promoting the trade and encouraging quality craftsmanship have always been the focus of the competitions. The passion created around the event consistently encourages the next generation of skilled workers, while motivating experienced bricklayers to hone their skill. The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 movement has ignited the passion, pride, and competitive drive of masons around the world. Backed by all its sponsors, including new Platinum sponsor Hohmann & Barnard and Gold sponsor JagClamp, the event is laser focused on its mantra: Keeping the Trade Strong! The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 receives support from a family of sponsors. They are: Platinum Level Sponsors SPEC MIX® QUIKRETE® Companies Ford Commercial Vehicles Hydro Mobile Multiquip, Inc. The Belden Brick Company STABILA Hohmann & Barnard, Inc. Gold Level Sponsors Prism Pigments Marshalltown Company STIHL Inc. Mason Contractors Association of America iQ Power Tools Blaklader Workwear JagClamp Contributors GATORBACK® Mortarboards Easy-Spred® AZ Best Block Safway® Group Jackson® Professional Tools Xtreme Manufacturing For more information on the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500, please visit www.specmixbricklayer500.com.
Words: Masonry Magazine Photos: SPEC MIX®
 
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