A first Grand Championship
8
tracked contests to get there
This was CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ's first Grand Championship in the data — it arrived at their 8th tracked contest.
Smoke on the Water 2013
Oct 11–12, 2013 · Topeka, KS
CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ won Grand Champion at the Smoke on the Water on October 11, 2013 in Topeka, KS, scoring 687.4516 in a field of 43 teams. BLACK EYE BBQ took Reserve Grand Champion with 685.1200. Category winners: Chicken — CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ (178.3200); Pork Ribs — 777 BBQ (178.8572); Pork — BLACK EYE BBQ (177.7028); Brisket — B & C SMOKERS (176.0000). This is the 1st of 14 editions of this contest on record; the next was held in 2015.
The contest at a glance (read off the scored boards)
How the field scored
Overall totals, every team on the board — tall stacks are where the pack sat.
153.71
median 625.19
687.45 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Chicken 178.32
- Pork Ribs 178.86
- Pork 177.70
- Brisket 176
126.22
178.86
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2013 to 2025 — this edition picked out.
Entries
43
4 judged meats · 1 ancillary
Top score
687.4516
Winning margin
2.3316
GC over RC
Field average
622.26
153.71687.45
median 625.19 · last place to winner
Perfect 180s
0
Tightest race
Brisket
4 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
662.2284
153.71687.45
10th place overall
Field spread
533.7372
winner to last place
Double threats
6
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 77%
beats 23% of 4711 Master Series wins in the data
Form held
Moderate
ρ = -0.6 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,510
avg power rating going in · stronger than 7% of contests
Storylines (4 found in this contest's numbers)
Everything below is read straight out of the results — the number on each card is the one that made it a story.
A dynasty in the making
2×
wins at this contest
2 of 13 tracked editions
Thunder Hog BBQ has won this contest 2 times across its 13 tracked editions.
- 2019
- 2022
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 7 calls decided inside half a point
Pork places 3–4: Crimson & Blue and SMOKIN BAD HABIT tied on 176.0000 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Brisket places 8–9: SMOKIN BAD HABIT and Papa Bear's Hickory Pit tied on 166.8344 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Brisket places 9–10: Papa Bear's Hickory Pit and Smoking Pallet tied on 166.8344 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Pork 3–4 · tie
- Brisket 8–9 · tie
- Brisket 9–10 · tie
- Chicken 6–7 · 0.0228
How the title was won
3 of 4
meats called to the stage
CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ took the title on 3 calls from 4 meats, with 1 outright win — their weakest board was pork at 13th.
- Chicken 1st
- Pork Ribs 5th
- Pork 13th
- Brisket 2nd
Score curves (score by finishing position — steep cliffs mean a spread field, flat lines a knife fight)
Category showdown (top / average / median score per meat)
Score distribution
Biggest rating movers (power-rating points won and lost at this contest)
Did form hold? (pre-contest rating vs overall finish — ratings called it if the dots climb to the right)
This contest over the years full contest page →
| Date | Where | Venue | Teams | High score | Grand Champion | Reserve Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 2013 ← this one | Topeka, KS | Topeka, KS | 43 | 687.4516 | CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ | BLACK EYE BBQ |
| Oct 9, 2015 | Topeka, KS | Topeka, KS 66605 | 33 | 696.5600 | JO-BAWB'S BBQ | BOXER Q BBQ |
| May 6, 2017 | Liberty, IN | 3801 West Old Dunlapsville RD | 26 | 695.9084 | VICTORY SMOKERS | GREY STREET BBQ |
| May 5, 2018 | Liberty, IN | 3801 West Old Dunlapsville RD | 28 | 693.6684 | GREY STREET BBQ | BANKIN BABY BBQ |
| May 4, 2019 | Liberty, IN | 381 W Old Dunlapsville | 26 | 696.5140 | Thunder Hog BBQ | SLIPPERY PETE'S BBQ |
| May 1, 2021 | Liberty, IN | 3801 W Old Dunlapsville Rd | 27 | 706.2400 | The BBQ Bus | GETTIN PIGGY WITH IT BACKYARD BBQ |
| Oct 15, 2021 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 25 | 699.3600 | Mad Mutt's BBQ | SMOKE RINGERS |
| Apr 29, 2022 | Liberty, IN | 3801 W Old Dunlapsville Rd | 25 | 707.9888 | Thunder Hog BBQ | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS |
| Oct 14, 2022 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 28 | 701.6688 | Cow Creek BBQ | MAN MEAT BBQ |
| Oct 13, 2023 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 39 | 707.4176 | Slaps BBQ | WOOD HOOK BBQ |
| Sep 20, 2024 | Pine Bluff, AR | 1 Regional Park Dr | 42 | 698.2628 | Kith n Kin | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ |
| Oct 11, 2024 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 31 | 700.5372 | Colorado Bulldawg BBQ | Bocephus BBQ |
| Oct 10, 2025 | Topeka, KS | 3435 SE East Edge Rd | 30 | 703.3828 | Squealin N Dealin BBQ | Damn Fine Beef & Swine |
| Oct 9, 2026 | Topeka, KS | — | — | — | — | — |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 178.3200 | 171.4172 | 167.4400 |
| Pork Ribs | 178.8572 | 168.5372 | 165.1544 |
| Pork | 177.7028 | 170.2628 | 166.8572 |
| Brisket | 176 | 172 | 166.8344 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
43 entries · top 687.4516 · median 625.1884
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ | |
| 2 | BLACK EYE BBQ | |
| 3 | FRONT DOOR GANG | |
| 4 | Crimson & Blue | |
| 5 | Boxer Q BBQ | |
| 6 | SMOKIN BAD HABIT | |
| 7 | B & C SMOKERS | |
| 8 | 777 BBQ | |
| 9 | NAUGHTY NURSES BBQ | |
| 10 | THAT'S ALL SMOKES | |
| 11 | FOUR MEN AND A PIG | |
| 12 | BLUE BUCKET BBQ | |
| 13 | RIBS N BIBS | |
| 14 | YARD TIME BBQ | |
| 15 | Papa Bear's Hickory Pit | |
| 16 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 17 | 2 COOKS AND A MECHANIC | |
| 18 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 19 | RICH AND STU'S VOODOO BBQ | |
| 20 | Know Butt BBQ | |
| 21 | Smokin' Tigers | |
| 22 | Showtime | |
| 23 | Hawg Wash | |
| 24 | BOURBON STREET BASTERS | |
| 25 | T-Town Drunken Monkees | |
| 26 | MOUNDVIEW MEAT MASTERS | |
| 27 | Schmel'z Like Mad Mike's Barbecue | |
| 28 | NORTHSIDE PORKERS | |
| 29 | BLUE COLLAR BBQ | |
| 30 | RED EYE SMOKERS KS | |
| 31 | TENDER BUTTS | |
| 32 | INDIGO PIG | |
| 33 | DOVER BOYS BBQ | |
| 34 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 35 | WINDMILL INN PRODUCTS | |
| 36 | Hamhock Mafia | |
| 37 | Yankee Tank BBQ | |
| 38 | SILVER FOX BBQ | |
| 39 | MEAT MONGERS BBQ | |
| 40 | GRILLS GONE WILD | |
| 41 | Train Wreck BBQ | |
| 42 | Herb's Bar B Que | |
| 43 | HOOSIER DADDY BBQ |
Chicken
42 entries · top 178.3200 · median 159.6856
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ | |
| 2 | B & C SMOKERS | |
| 3 | THAT'S ALL SMOKES | |
| 4 | Boxer Q BBQ | |
| 5 | RIBS N BIBS | |
| 6 | NAUGHTY NURSES BBQ | |
| 7 | BLACK EYE BBQ | |
| 8 | BLUE BUCKET BBQ | |
| 9 | Crimson & Blue | |
| 10 | Hamhock Mafia | |
| 11 | MOUNDVIEW MEAT MASTERS | |
| 12 | 2 COOKS AND A MECHANIC | |
| 13 | FRONT DOOR GANG | |
| 14 | FOUR MEN AND A PIG | |
| 15 | 777 BBQ | |
| 16 | SMOKIN BAD HABIT | |
| 17 | T-Town Drunken Monkees | |
| 18 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 19 | Train Wreck BBQ | |
| 20 | Showtime | |
| 21 | Papa Bear's Hickory Pit | |
| 22 | Schmel'z Like Mad Mike's Barbecue | |
| 23 | GRILLS GONE WILD | |
| 24 | Smokin' Tigers | |
| 25 | Hawg Wash | |
| 26 | NORTHSIDE PORKERS | |
| 27 | BLUE COLLAR BBQ | |
| 28 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 29 | YARD TIME BBQ | |
| 30 | RED EYE SMOKERS KS | |
| 31 | INDIGO PIG | |
| 32 | SILVER FOX BBQ | |
| 33 | MEAT MONGERS BBQ | |
| 34 | WINDMILL INN PRODUCTS | |
| 35 | RICH AND STU'S VOODOO BBQ | |
| 36 | Herb's Bar B Que | |
| 37 | Yankee Tank BBQ | |
| 38 | Know Butt BBQ | |
| 39 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 40 | BOURBON STREET BASTERS | |
| 41 | DOVER BOYS BBQ | |
| 42 | TENDER BUTTS |
Pork Ribs
43 entries · top 178.8572 · median 158.2512
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 777 BBQ | |
| 2 | FRONT DOOR GANG | |
| 3 | Crimson & Blue | |
| 4 | BLUE BUCKET BBQ | |
| 5 | CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ | |
| 6 | WINDMILL INN PRODUCTS | |
| 7 | YARD TIME BBQ | |
| 8 | BOURBON STREET BASTERS | |
| 9 | BLUE COLLAR BBQ | |
| 10 | BLACK EYE BBQ | |
| 11 | FOUR MEN AND A PIG | |
| 12 | RED EYE SMOKERS KS | |
| 13 | NAUGHTY NURSES BBQ | |
| 14 | 2 COOKS AND A MECHANIC | |
| 15 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 16 | SMOKIN BAD HABIT | |
| 17 | Know Butt BBQ | |
| 18 | Papa Bear's Hickory Pit | |
| 19 | Smokin' Tigers | |
| 20 | THAT'S ALL SMOKES | |
| 21 | Hawg Wash | |
| 22 | TENDER BUTTS | |
| 23 | NORTHSIDE PORKERS | |
| 24 | Boxer Q BBQ | |
| 25 | SILVER FOX BBQ | |
| 26 | T-Town Drunken Monkees | |
| 27 | Hamhock Mafia | |
| 28 | B & C SMOKERS | |
| 29 | HOOSIER DADDY BBQ | |
| 30 | DOVER BOYS BBQ | |
| 31 | RICH AND STU'S VOODOO BBQ | |
| 32 | MOUNDVIEW MEAT MASTERS | |
| 33 | RIBS N BIBS | |
| 34 | Yankee Tank BBQ | |
| 35 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 36 | Schmel'z Like Mad Mike's Barbecue | |
| 37 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 38 | MEAT MONGERS BBQ | |
| 39 | INDIGO PIG | |
| 40 | Herb's Bar B Que | |
| 41 | Showtime | |
| 42 | GRILLS GONE WILD | |
| 43 | Train Wreck BBQ |
Pork
42 entries · top 177.7028 · median 160.8458
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BLACK EYE BBQ | |
| 2 | FRONT DOOR GANG | |
| 3 | Crimson & Blue | |
| 4 | SMOKIN BAD HABIT | |
| 5 | NAUGHTY NURSES BBQ | |
| 6 | Boxer Q BBQ | |
| 7 | Know Butt BBQ | |
| 8 | THAT'S ALL SMOKES | |
| 9 | Papa Bear's Hickory Pit | |
| 10 | RIBS N BIBS | |
| 11 | Showtime | |
| 12 | TENDER BUTTS | |
| 13 | CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ | |
| 14 | RICH AND STU'S VOODOO BBQ | |
| 15 | Smokin' Tigers | |
| 16 | FOUR MEN AND A PIG | |
| 17 | B & C SMOKERS | |
| 18 | YARD TIME BBQ | |
| 19 | 777 BBQ | |
| 20 | INDIGO PIG | |
| 21 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 22 | MEAT MONGERS BBQ | |
| 23 | Hawg Wash | |
| 24 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 25 | BOURBON STREET BASTERS | |
| 26 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 27 | BLUE BUCKET BBQ | |
| 28 | 2 COOKS AND A MECHANIC | |
| 29 | NORTHSIDE PORKERS | |
| 30 | RED EYE SMOKERS KS | |
| 31 | Schmel'z Like Mad Mike's Barbecue | |
| 32 | DOVER BOYS BBQ | |
| 33 | GRILLS GONE WILD | |
| 34 | Train Wreck BBQ | |
| 35 | Yankee Tank BBQ | |
| 36 | Hamhock Mafia | |
| 37 | MOUNDVIEW MEAT MASTERS | |
| 38 | T-Town Drunken Monkees | |
| 39 | WINDMILL INN PRODUCTS | |
| 40 | SILVER FOX BBQ | |
| 41 | BLUE COLLAR BBQ | |
| 42 | Herb's Bar B Que |
Brisket
42 entries · top 176 · median 155.7542
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B & C SMOKERS | |
| 2 | CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ | |
| 3 | BLACK EYE BBQ | |
| 4 | YARD TIME BBQ | |
| 5 | Boxer Q BBQ | |
| 6 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 7 | RIBS N BIBS | |
| 8 | SMOKIN BAD HABIT | |
| 9 | Papa Bear's Hickory Pit | |
| 10 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 11 | FOUR MEN AND A PIG | |
| 12 | DOVER BOYS BBQ | |
| 13 | BLUE BUCKET BBQ | |
| 14 | 777 BBQ | |
| 15 | RICH AND STU'S VOODOO BBQ | |
| 16 | THAT'S ALL SMOKES | |
| 17 | Crimson & Blue | |
| 18 | NAUGHTY NURSES BBQ | |
| 19 | FRONT DOOR GANG | |
| 20 | Showtime | |
| 21 | GRILLS GONE WILD | |
| 22 | T-Town Drunken Monkees | |
| 23 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 24 | INDIGO PIG | |
| 25 | 2 COOKS AND A MECHANIC | |
| 26 | Schmel'z Like Mad Mike's Barbecue | |
| 27 | BLUE COLLAR BBQ | |
| 28 | Yankee Tank BBQ | |
| 29 | BOURBON STREET BASTERS | |
| 30 | MOUNDVIEW MEAT MASTERS | |
| 31 | SILVER FOX BBQ | |
| 32 | TENDER BUTTS | |
| 33 | Hawg Wash | |
| 34 | WINDMILL INN PRODUCTS | |
| 35 | Know Butt BBQ | |
| 36 | NORTHSIDE PORKERS | |
| 37 | RED EYE SMOKERS KS | |
| 38 | Smokin' Tigers | |
| 39 | Train Wreck BBQ | |
| 40 | MEAT MONGERS BBQ | |
| 41 | Hamhock Mafia | |
| 42 | Herb's Bar B Que |
Ancillary categories
Run by the organizers alongside the sanctioned contest. These are judged on their own terms and do not count toward the overall score, so they're kept out of the meat stats above.
Master Series — Cook'S Choice
21 entries · top 180 · median 170.8572 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | INDIGO PIG | |
| 2 | FRONT DOOR GANG | |
| 3 | RED EYE SMOKERS KS | |
| 4 | CHICKHOOVENSWINE BBQ | |
| 5 | NAUGHTY NURSES BBQ | |
| 6 | Hawg Wash | |
| 7 | T-Town Drunken Monkees | |
| 8 | Boxer Q BBQ | |
| 9 | RIBS N BIBS | |
| 10 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 11 | B & C SMOKERS | |
| 12 | Hamhock Mafia | |
| 13 | Yankee Tank BBQ | |
| 14 | BLUE COLLAR BBQ | |
| 15 | Fergolicious BBQ | |
| 16 | Smoking Pallet | |
| 17 | NORTHSIDE PORKERS | |
| 18 | Smokin' Tigers | |
| 19 | SMOKIN BAD HABIT | |
| 20 | SILVER FOX BBQ | |
| 21 | Schmel'z Like Mad Mike's Barbecue |