Sep 11–12, 2020 · Connelly Springs, NC · 📍 980 Malcolm Blvd. · State championship
Reps: Alan Rothrock, Doug Reid · Prize money: $6,950
SMOKE MONSTER BBQ won Grand Champion at the Pigmaster's BBQ Challenge on September 11, 2020 in Connelly Springs, NC at 980 Malcolm Blvd., scoring 705.0856 in a field of 24 teams. MCADOO HEIGHTS BBQ took Reserve Grand Champion with 697.0628. Category winners: Chicken — HICKORY BARBEQUE COMPANY (180.0000); Pork Ribs — SMOKE MONSTER BBQ (178.8572); Pork — REDNECK SCIENTIFIC (180.0000); Brisket — MUTTLEY CREW BBQ (177.7028). This is the 1st of 6 editions of this contest on record; the next was held in 2021.
Overall totals, every team on the board — tall stacks are where the pack sat.
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
What it has taken to win here, 2020 to 2026 — this edition picked out.
Everything below is read straight out of the results — the number on each card is the one that made it a story.
The ratings favoured the top seed the other 67 times in 100
SMOKE MONSTER BBQ came in rated below the field's top team, REDNECK SCIENTIFIC, and took the Grand Championship anyway — roughly a 33-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings.
Pork Ribs places 3–4: PIG ON FIRE and WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ tied on 175.4172 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Pork Ribs places 4–5: WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ and MUTTLEY CREW BBQ tied on 175.4172 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Pork Ribs places 8–9: MCADOO HEIGHTS BBQ and HICKORY BARBEQUE COMPANY tied on 173.1200 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
SMOKE MONSTER BBQ took the title on 4 calls from 4 meats, with 1 outright win — their weakest board was brisket at 8th.
2 perfect 180s were scored at this contest — every judge at the table handing back a nine.
| Date | Where | Venue | Teams | High score | Grand Champion | Reserve Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2020 ← this one | Connelly Springs, NC | 980 Malcolm Blvd. | 24 | 705.0856 | Smoke Monster BBQ | MCADOO HEIGHTS BBQ |
| Sep 24, 2021 | Rutherford College, NC | Rutherford College, NC 28671 | 27 | 698.2056 | Redneck Scientific | SMOKIN SKULLIES |
| Sep 23, 2022 | Connelly Springs, NC | 980 Malcolm Blvd | 32 | 699.3716 | JL Smokers | SMOKIN SKULLIES |
| Sep 22, 2023 | Rutherford College, NC | 980 Malcolm Blvd | 33 | 700.4912 | Chunky BBQ | HOLD YOUR HORSES BBQ |
| Sep 19, 2025 | Rutherford College, NC | 980 Malcolm Blvd | 36 | 697.6572 | Smokin Skullies | MUTTLEY CREW BBQ |
| Sep 18, 2026 | Rutherford College, NC | 980 Malcolm Blvd | 29 | 701.6572 | ALPINE SMOKE WORKS | Hold Your Horses BBQ |
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 180 | 175.4172 | 167.9656 |
| Pork Ribs | 178.8572 | 175.4172 | 170.8344 |
| Pork | 180 | 174.2628 | 171.4056 |
| Brisket | 177.7028 | 175.4400 | 173.7144 |
24 entries · top 705.0856 · median 677.8858
24 entries · top 180 · median 166.8400 · 🔥 perfect 180
24 entries · top 178.8572 · median 169.1372
24 entries · top 180 · median 169.6914 · 🔥 perfect 180
24 entries · top 177.7028 · median 169.9714