A statement win
10.9032
points clear of the field
Wider than 90% of the 4,742 championships in the data
The champion won by 10.9032 points — a wider margin than 90% of championships in the data.
Sam's Club National BBQ Tour
2016-06-10 – 2016-06-11 · Harrisburg, PA · 📍 Harrisburg, PA
Grand Champion: CHECKERED FLAG 500 BBQ (683.3716) · 29 teams
Reserve Champion: 🥈 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ
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.
576.33
median 648.98
683.37 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Chicken 173.70
- Pork Ribs 171.42
- Pork 176.01
- Brisket 174.26
128.48
176.01
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2013 to 2017 — this edition picked out.
Entries
29
4 judged meats
Top score
683.3716
Winning margin
10.9032
GC over RC
Field average
637.76
576.33683.37
median 648.98 · last place to winner
Perfect 180s
0
Tightest race
Chicken
3.9884 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
658.2172
576.33683.37
10th place overall
Field spread
107.0404
winner to last place
Double threats
6
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 84%
beats 16% of 4707 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
0%
0 of 27 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.8 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1564
avg power rating going in · stronger than 50% of contests
Storylines (6 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
4×
wins at this contest
4 of 125 tracked editions
LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ has won this contest 4 times across its 125 tracked editions.
- 2014
- 2015
- 2017
- 2017
Photo finishes
0.0116
closest of 9 calls decided inside half a point
Chicken places 8–9: MOON RIVER BARBEQUE edged RED BROTHERS BBQ by 0.0116. Pork places 7–8: TAILGATEJOE.COM edged ROCKIN ROBYNS BBQ by 0.0116. Brisket places 3–4: LO' -N- SLO' BBQ edged POKE N SMOKE by 0.0228.
- Chicken 8–9 · 0.0116
- Pork 7–8 · 0.0116
- Brisket 3–4 · 0.0228
- Brisket 5–6 · 0.0228
A double category winner
2
category wins in a day
CHECKERED FLAG 500 BBQ won Pork, Brisket — a double, and took the Grand Championship on top of it.
- Pork 1st
- Brisket 1st
How the title was won
4 of 4
meats called to the stage
CHECKERED FLAG 500 BBQ took the title on 4 calls from 4 meats, with 2 outright wins — their weakest board was pork ribs at 8th.
- Chicken 4th
- Pork Ribs 8th
- Pork 1st
- Brisket 1st
Back to defend
1
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: CHECKERED FLAG 500 BBQ (won 2015).
- CHECKERED FLAG 500 BBQ · 2015
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-02-15 | Tampa, FL | Tampa, FL | 24 | 698.8572 | SWAMP BOYS | BLITZKRIEG BBQ |
| 2013-02-22 | Daphne, AL | Daphne, AL | 29 | 689.7142 | THE PIT CREW GA | LOTTA BULL BBQ |
| 2013-03-01 | Baton Rouge, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | 28 | 699.4286 | CAJUN BLAZE | HABITUAL SMOKERS |
| 2013-03-08 | Westworth Village, TX | Westworth Village, TX | 29 | 677.7142 | C-N-B BAR-B-Q | 3 WOODYS BBQ |
| 2013-03-15 | Albuquerque, NM | Albuquerque, NM | 20 | 686.2856 | PARROTHEAD SMOKERS | 2-CAN-Q |
| 2013-03-22 | Tucson, AZ | Tucson, AZ | 30 | 676.5712 | LUTZ'S FAMOUS BBQ | BIG POPPA SMOKERS |
| 2013-03-29 | Thornton, CO | Thornton, CO | 30 | 668.5712 | SWINESTONE COWBOYS | GQUE |
| 2013-04-05 | Salt Lake City, UT | Salt Lake City, UT | 29 | 689.1426 | PHIL & LOU BBQ | ROOFTOP BBQ |
| 2013-04-12 | Renton, WA | Renton, WA | 29 | 666.8574 | MOVIN' THE CHAINS | PIGGY D'S BBQ |
| 2013-04-26 | Overland Park, KS | Overland Park, KS | 30 | 666.2856 | DIRT ROAD BBQ | SMOKEAHOLICS KS |
| 2013-05-03 | St. Charles, MO | St. Charles, MO | 30 | 694.2860 | TRUEBUD BBQ | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ |
| 2013-05-10 | Knoxville, TN | Knoxville, TN | 29 | 677.7140 | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE | UNCULTURED SWINE |
| 2013-05-17 | Marietta, GA | Marietta, GA | 28 | 685.7142 | TNT SOUTHERN BBQ | MOYERS COMPETITION BAR-B-Q TEAM |
| 2013-05-31 | N. Charleston, SC | N. Charleston, SC | 27 | 678.2854 | WAYLON'S WICKEDLY GOOD Q | KILLER B'S BBQ |
| 2013-06-07 | Asheville, NC | Asheville, NC | 26 | 662.8568 | DEEP SOUTH BBQ | TEAR-A-BYTE BBQ |
| 2013-06-14 | Lexington, KY | Lexington, KY | 27 | 672.5710 | GOVERNMENT PORK | QUENIVOROUS |
| 2013-06-21 | Indianapolis, IN | Indianapolis, IN | 29 | 689.1428 | ONE2BBQ | BACK PORCH Q |
| 2013-06-28 | Traverse City, MI | Traverse City, MI | 26 | 676.5712 | QUAU | iBQ'n |
| 2013-07-05 | Madison, WI | Madison, WI | 30 | 670.8570 | THE SMOKE HUNTERS | SMOKERS PURGATORY |
| 2013-07-12 | Woodbury, MN | Woodbury, MN | 29 | 684.5372 | TIPPYCANOE BBQ CREW | PIGSKIN BBQ |
| 2013-07-19 | Des Moines, IA | Des Moines, IA | 28 | 686.2284 | PORK PATROL BBQ | GRILLS GONE WILD IOWA |
| 2013-08-09 | Medford, NY | Medford, NY | 27 | 642.7544 | FEEDING FRIENDZ | INSANE SWINE BBQ |
| 2013-08-16 | Laurel, MD | Laurel, MD | 29 | 685.6000 | THE BBQ GURU | APORKALYPSE NOW |
| 2013-08-23 | Richmond, VA | Richmond, VA | 29 | 677.1428 | COOL SMOKE | GROG N HOGS |
| 2013-09-27 | Overland Park, KS | Overland Park, KS | 29 | 695.3484 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | BOYS OF BBQ & PATTY |
| 2014-02-21 | Tampa, FL | Tampa, FL | 21 | 678.2512 | WOOLEY BULLY BBQ MAFIA | Good Buddies BBQ |
| 2014-02-28 | Daphne, AL | Daphne, AL | 28 | 685.6912 | BOOTYQUE | FIRE DANCER BBQ |
| 2014-03-07 | Baton Rouge, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | 23 | 694.2284 | SMOKIN' N THE DARK | CAJUN BLAZE |
| 2014-03-14 | Fort Worth, TX | Fort Worth, TX | 29 | 670.7196 | WILDCATTERS Q CREW | CAVEMAN CUISINE |
| 2014-03-21 | Tucson, AZ | Tucson, AZ | 30 | 685.1200 | LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ | I.A.B. 30 BBQ |
| 2014-03-28 | Sacramento, CA | Sacramento, CA | 29 | 662.8116 | BIG B'S DOWN-N-DIRTY BBQ | SON OF SMOKE |
| 2014-04-04 | Renton, WA | Renton, WA | 30 | 676.5488 | BAD BONES BBQ | PIGGY D'S BBQ |
| 2014-04-11 | Salt Lake City, UT | Salt Lake City, UT | 29 | 685.1656 | R&R BBQ | RHYTHM 'N QUE |
| 2014-04-18 | Denver, CO | Denver, CO | 30 | 686.7768 | GQUE | GRILLIN' BEAVERS |
| 2014-05-02 | Overland Park, KS | Overland Park, KS | 29 | 683.3484 | COUNTY LINE SMOKERS | GETTIN' BASTED |
| 2014-05-09 | St. Charles, MO | St. Charles, MO | 30 | 698.7884 | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ | PORK PULLIN PLOWBOYS |
| 2014-05-23 | Hendersonville, TN | Hendersonville, TN | 30 | 700.0232 | SWIGGIN PIG | Organizer Portal |
| 2014-05-30 | Marietta, GA | Marietta, GA | 29 | 684.4340 | PIG WHISPERERS | CURLY TAILS BBQ |
| 2014-06-06 | N. Charleston, SC | N. Charleston, SC | 28 | 685.6684 | PALMETTO PITMASTERS | WAYLON'S WICKEDLY GOOD Q |
| 2014-06-13 | Asheville, NC | Asheville, NC | 30 | 682.8112 | PICKIN' PORKERS | SMOKE ON THIS |
| 2014-06-20 | Lexington, KY | Lexington, KY | 28 | 683.3372 | MIDNIGHT BURN | THE LOONEY PIT |
| 2014-06-27 | Indianapolis, IN | Indianapolis, IN | 26 | 681.1200 | ABLE ACRES BBQ | ONE2BBQ |
| 2014-07-04 | Traverse City, MI | Traverse City, MI | 21 | 678.1828 | BUBBA-Q'S | CANCERSUCKSCHICAGO.COM |
| 2014-07-11 | Madison, WI | Madison, WI | 29 | 685.0972 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | SECOND CITY SMOKE |
| 2014-07-18 | Woodbury, MN | Woodbury, MN | 30 | 691.9884 | IOWA WILD HOGS BBQ | ANGRY JACK BBQ |
| 2014-07-25 | Des Moines, IA | Des Moines, IA | 29 | 692.6400 | TEMPLETON RYE WOODFELLAS | SPITFIRE |
| 2014-08-08 | Scarborough, ME | Scarborough, ME | 28 | 673.7372 | STUBBORN BULL BBQ | FEEDING FRIENDZ |
| 2014-08-15 | Harrisburg, PA | Harrisburg, PA | 28 | 670.7312 | HERDING SMOKE | PIGHEADED BBQ |
| 2014-08-22 | Laurel, MD | Laurel, MD | 29 | 669.6112 | PORK BARREL BBQ | Sauce This BBQ |
| 2014-09-12 | N. Kansas City, MO | N. Kansas City, MO | 30 | 697.6916 | SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ |
| 2015-02-20 | Kissimmee, FL | Kissimmee, FL | 22 | 695.4400 | HOT WACHULA'S | SMOKIN MO'S BBQ |
| 2015-02-27 | Daphne, AL | Daphne, AL | 30 | 693.6340 | JACK'S OLD SOUTH | RED EYED SMOKERS |
| 2015-03-06 | Shreveport, LA | Shreveport, LA | 29 | 687.9776 | FIRE DANCER BBQ | INDIAN TERRITORY SMOKE |
| 2015-03-13 | Fort Worth, TX | Fort Worth, TX | 30 | 664.4572 | CLARK CREW BBQ | KOSMO'S Q |
| 2015-03-20 | Tucson, AZ | Tucson, AZ | 29 | 699.3484 | LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ |
| 2015-03-27 | Reno, NV | Reno, NV | 30 | 677.7372 | TEAM AMERICA | BIG B'S DOWN-N-DIRTY BBQ |
| 2015-04-03 | Renton, WA | Renton, WA | 28 | 680.6292 | MOVIN' THE CHAINS | WINE COUNTRY Q |
| 2015-04-10 | Salt Lake City, UT | Salt Lake City, UT | 30 | 675.3824 | R&R BBQ | TEAM AMERICA |
| 2015-04-17 | Fort Collins, CO | Fort Collins, CO | 30 | 689.7256 | JO-BAWB'S BBQ | GQUE |
| 2015-05-08 | Overland Park, KS | Overland Park, KS | 30 | 700.5828 | THUMP & STRUM BBQ | SMOOTH SMOKE |
| 2015-05-15 | St. Charles, MO | St. Charles, MO | 30 | 689.6572 | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ | BRICKHEAD BBQ |
| 2015-05-22 | Marietta, GA | Marietta, GA | 29 | 691.3484 | POT'S BBQ | THE PIT CREW GA |
| 2015-05-29 | Hendersonville, TN | Hendersonville, TN | 29 | 703.4056 | FAT, DRUNK & STUPID | Q-BONES BBQ |
| 2015-06-05 | Asheville, NC | Asheville, NC | 30 | 699.9772 | ROCKY TOP BARBEQUE | ROCK'S MONEY PIT BBQ |
| 2015-06-12 | N. Charleston, SC | N. Charleston, SC | 29 | 679.9428 | BIG DICK'S BBQ | 4:20 Q |
| 2015-06-19 | Bowling Green, KY | Bowling Green, KY | 29 | 694.8456 | GILLY'S BBQ | THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SMOKE |
| 2015-06-26 | Ypsilanti, MI | Ypsilanti, MI | 30 | 677.0740 | iBQ'n@TheBBQSuperStore.com | BIG BROTHERS BBQ |
| 2015-07-10 | Indianapolis, IN | Indianapolis, IN | 28 | 687.9772 | HUG HOGS | THE SMOKE HUNTERS |
| 2015-07-17 | Auburn Hills, MI | Auburn Hills, MI | 28 | 693.1656 | YELLOW RIVER BBQ | SMOKIN' IN THE D |
| 2015-07-24 | Woodbury, MN | Woodbury, MN | 30 | 682.3544 | ROLLIN' SMOKE BBQ SD | JAESTAR BBQ |
| 2015-07-31 | Des Moines, IA | Des Moines, IA | 30 | 685.6572 | BIG T'Z Q CRU | PELLET ENVY |
| 2015-08-14 | Scarborough, ME | Scarborough, ME | 26 | 679.9776 | INSANE SWINE BBQ | Rogue Hog BBQ |
| 2015-08-21 | Harrisburg, PA | Harrisburg, PA | 30 | 678.3200 | CHECKERED FLAG 500 BBQ | HAWG NATION BBQ |
| 2015-08-28 | Laurel, MD | Laurel, MD | 29 | 673.6228 | OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE | ROCKIN ROBYNS BBQ |
| 2015-09-11 | N. Kansas City, MO | N. Kansas City, MO | 28 | 694.8228 | SMOKEAHOLICS | TRUCKY'S TRUE BLU BBQ'UE |
| 2016-02-26 | Daphne, AL | Daphne, AL | 30 | 689.0972 | QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N | WINK'S BARBEQUE |
| 2016-03-04 | Shreveport, LA | Shreveport, LA | 30 | 687.3940 | ALL IN QUE | SMOKIN' N THE DARK |
| 2016-03-11 | Fort Worth, TX | Fort Worth, TX | 29 | 689.6912 | DR. NORDY'S BBQ | TEXAS-CAR-B-QUE |
| 2016-03-18 | Tucson, AZ | Tucson, AZ | 30 | 708.0112 | BIG POPPA SMOKERS | HICKORY AND SPICE BBQ |
| 2016-03-25 | Reno, NV | Reno, NV | 29 | 691.9656 | PHIL THE GRILL | BOWLING OVER PIGS |
| 2016-04-01 | Renton, WA | Renton, WA | 30 | 680.5372 | BAD BONES BBQ | FAHRENHEIT 250 |
| 2016-04-08 | Salt Lake City, UT | Salt Lake City, UT | 30 | 685.6340 | BIG B'S DOWN-N-DIRTY BBQ | PARROTHEAD SMOKERS |
| 2016-04-15 | Fort Collins, CO | Fort Collins, CO | 28 | 699.3600 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | PELLET ENVY |
| 2016-04-29 | Overland Park, KS | Overland Park, KS | 30 | 688.4912 | DIRT ROAD BBQ | AMERICAN FIRE BBQ |
| 2016-05-06 | St. Charles, MO | St. Charles, MO | 30 | 690.8344 | PITMASTERIQ BBQ | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ |
| 2016-05-13 | Bowling Green, KY | Bowling Green, KY | 29 | 694.2172 | MOYERS COMPETITION BAR-B-Q TEAM | CHECKERED PIG |
| 2016-05-20 | Southhaven, MS | Southhaven, MS | 29 | 696.5028 | VICTORY LANE BBQ | SOUTHERN SMOKERS |
| 2016-06-03 | Asheville, NC | Asheville, NC | 27 | 698.2628 | SMOKING BUTT HEADS | PALMETTO PITMASTERS |
| 2016-06-10 ← this one | Harrisburg, PA | Harrisburg, PA | 29 | 683.3716 | CHECKERED FLAG 500 BBQ | WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ |
| 2016-06-17 | Hendersonville, TN | Hendersonville, TN | 29 | 699.9544 | SON SEEKERS BBQ | THE ALGOOD BAR-B-Q PIT CREW |
| 2016-06-24 | Birmingham, AL | Birmingham, AL | 30 | 694.2172 | BAREKNUCKLES BBQ | BALD HAWG BBQ |
| 2016-07-08 | Indianapolis, IN | Indianapolis, IN | 30 | 682.2632 | 40 CALIBER BBQ | ONE2BBQ |
| 2016-07-15 | South Bend, IN | South Bend, IN | 28 | 676.5712 | iBQ'n@TheBBQSuperStore.com | SMOKIN' HOOKERS BAR-B-Q LLC |
| 2016-07-22 | Woodbury, MN | Woodbury, MN | 30 | 677.6112 | RUB MY RACK | CITY SLICKERS BBQ |
| 2016-07-29 | Des Moines, IA | Des Moines, IA | 28 | 689.1888 | PORKY BUTTS BBQ | LUCKY'S Q |
| 2016-08-05 | Laurel, MD | Laurel, MD | 29 | 686.8344 | 3 EYZ BBQ | Sauce This BBQ |
| 2016-08-12 | Richmond, VA | Richmond, VA | 28 | 686.8456 | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM | UNCLE TOAD'S COMPETITION BBQ |
| 2016-08-19 | South Windsor, CT | South Windsor, CT | 26 | 685.6456 | THAT'S OUR QUE | LO' -N- SLO' BBQ |
| 2016-09-02 | Ypsilanti, MI | Ypsilanti, MI | 30 | 691.4172 | MAC ATTACK BBQ | THE SMOKE HUNTERS |
| 2016-09-09 | Kansas City, MO | Kansas City, MO | 30 | 695.9772 | 913 BBQ | SMOKEAHOLICS |
| 2017-02-24 | Daphne, AL | Daphne, AL | 28 | 690.2744 | SMOKE ON THIS | WINK'S BARBEQUE |
| 2017-03-03 | Shreveport, LA | Shreveport, LA | 29 | 691.9312 | RAILYARD BBQ | SMOKIN TRIGGERS |
| 2017-03-10 | White Settlement, TX | White Settlement, TX | 30 | 680.5484 | BLAZEN BBQ | FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX |
| 2017-03-17 | Tucson, AZ | Tucson, AZ | 29 | 697.6340 | LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ | PORKETEERS |
| 2017-03-24 | Reno, NV | Reno, NV | 30 | 674.2168 | LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ | Smokey and the Pirate |
| 2017-03-31 | Renton, WA | Renton, WA | 30 | 681.1660 | MONTANA OUTLAW BBQ | BOOTIES BBQ |
| 2017-04-07 | Salt Lake City, UT | Salt Lake City, UT | 29 | 690.8228 | TEAM AMERICA | GOT SMOKE BAR-B-QUE |
| 2017-04-14 | Fort Collins, CO | Fort Collins, CO | 30 | 692.4800 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | SMOKIN' BOXERS BBQ |
| 2017-04-28 | Overland Park, KS | Overland Park, KS | 30 | 692.5488 | SUBLIME BBQ | JAESTAR BBQ |
| 2017-05-05 | St. Charles, MO | St. Charles, MO | 29 | 691.9540 | THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SMOKE | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ |
| 2017-05-12 | Bowling Green, KY | Bowling Green, KY | 29 | 701.7256 | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS | GILLY'S BBQ |
| 2017-05-19 | Marietta, GA | Marietta, GA | 26 | 697.6684 | QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N | FYC BARBEQUE |
| 2017-06-02 | Laurel, MD | Laurel, MD | 28 | 681.6340 | WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ | 3 EYZ BBQ |
| 2017-06-09 | Harrisburg, PA | Harrisburg, PA | 29 | 686.8000 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ |
| 2017-06-16 | Alpharetta, GA | Alpharetta, GA | 28 | 701.6340 | Q-BONES BBQ | SWINE AND SHINE BBQ |
| 2017-06-23 | Birmingham, AL | Birmingham, AL | 28 | 701.0972 | RAZORRACKS | SLAYTON'S BARBEQUE COMPANY |
| 2017-07-07 | Indianapolis, IN | Indianapolis, IN | 30 | 702.8000 | ONE2BBQ | THUNDER HOG BBQ |
| 2017-07-14 | South Bend, IN | South Bend, IN | 27 | 674.2512 | THE SMOKE HUNTERS | CONTINENTAL BARBEQUE CO. |
| 2017-07-21 | Eagan, MN | Eagan, MN | 30 | 686.3316 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | TOTALLY SAUCED |
| 2017-07-28 | Ankeny, IA | Ankeny, IA | 30 | 690.2628 | GRILLS GONE WILD IOWA | CRASH TEST SMOKERS |
| 2017-08-04 | South Windsor, CT | South Windsor, CT | 30 | 677.0972 | INSANE SWINE BBQ | PORK BUTT PARADISE |
| 2017-08-11 | N. Charleston, SC | N. Charleston, SC | 27 | 688.5144 | SWEET SMOKE Q FLORIDA | SAUCED! BBQ TEAM |
| 2017-08-18 | Asheville, NC | Asheville, NC | 29 | 687.9084 | Cool Grog N Smokin Hogs | THE SMOKEHOUSE MAFIA |
| 2017-09-01 | Traverse City, MI | Traverse City, MI | 27 | 688.5144 | iBQ'n@TheBBQSuperStore.com | MAC ATTACK BBQ |
| 2017-09-08 | Kansas City, MO | Kansas City, MO | 28 | 699.3828 | CLARK CREW BBQ | DIRT ROAD BBQ |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 173.7028 | 169.7144 | 165.1200 |
| Pork Ribs | 171.4172 | 165.0972 | 161.1544 |
| Pork | 176.0116 | 170.8228 | 166.8572 |
| Brisket | 174.2628 | 167.4056 | 162.7884 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
29 entries · top 683.3716 · median 648.9824
Chicken
29 entries · top 173.7028 · median 161.6912
Pork Ribs
29 entries · top 171.4172 · median 158.8456
Pork
29 entries · top 176.0116 · median 163.4400
Brisket
29 entries · top 174.2628 · median 157.7144