Decided by a tiebreaker
Tie
identical totals at the top
The top two teams finished on identical totals — the Grand Championship came down to the KCBS tiebreaker rules.
Smoke on the Trails 2020
Sep 11–12, 2020 · Gardner, KS · 📍 32501 W 159th St. · State championship
Reps: Forrest Bruce, Larry Hadley, Peg Rogers · Prize money: $10,000
SLAPS BBQ won Grand Champion at the Smoke on the Trails on September 11, 2020 in Gardner, KS at 32501 W 159th St., scoring 704.5372 in a field of 48 teams. Happy Grillmore - KS took Reserve Grand Champion with 704.5372. Category winners: Chicken — TEXAS OIL DUST (180.0000); Pork Ribs — Happy Grillmore - KS (178.8572); Pork — Happy Grillmore - KS (179.4400); Brisket — Happy Grillmore - KS (180.0000). This is the 4th of 5 editions of this contest on record; the 2019 edition was won by High I Que; the next was held in 2021.
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.
566.65
median 678.49
704.54 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Chicken 180 🔥
- Pork Ribs 178.86
- Pork 179.44
- Brisket 180 🔥
128.99
180
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2017 to 2021 — this edition picked out.
Entries
48
4 judged meats
Top score
704.5372
Winning margin
Tie
identical totals — KCBS tiebreaker
Field average
664.16
566.65704.54
median 678.49 · last place to winner
Perfect 180s
5 🔥
Tightest race
Brisket
2.2972 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
691.9432
566.65704.54
10th place overall
Field spread
137.8852
winner to last place
Prize money
$10,000
on the line
Double threats
4
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 16%
beats 84% of 4711 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
42%
22 of 53 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.78 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,605
avg power rating going in · stronger than 80% of contests
Storylines (8 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.
Won without a category win
4 of 4
meats called to the stage
SLAPS BBQ won the Grand Championship without winning a single meat — 4 calls from 4 boards, best of them 4th. Consistency beat fireworks.
- Chicken 5th
- Pork Ribs 5th
- Pork 4th
- Brisket 8th
A hat-trick of category wins
3
category wins in a day
Happy Grillmore - KS won Pork Ribs, Pork, Brisket — a hat-trick.
- Pork Ribs 1st
- Pork 1st
- Brisket 1st
A day of perfect scores
5
perfect 180s
5 perfect 180s were scored at this contest — every judge at the table handing back a nine.
- Happy Grillmore - KS · Brisket
- AMERICAN FIRE BBQ · Brisket
- ALL FORKED UP FOR Q · Brisket
A dynasty in the making
3×
wins at this contest
3 of 5 tracked editions
SLAPS BBQ has won this contest 3 times across its 5 tracked editions.
- 2018
- 2020
- 2021
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 15 calls decided inside half a point
Chicken places 1–2: TEXAS OIL DUST and 4 LEGS UP BBQ tied on 180.0000 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 3–4: SMOKE RINGERS and MAN MEAT BBQ tied on 176.5716 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 7–8: SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE and BOOM CHICKA COW COW tied on 175.4172 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Chicken 1–2 · tie
- Chicken 3–4 · tie
- Chicken 7–8 · tie
- Chicken 8–9 · tie
A contest record in pork
179.4400
best pork ever cooked here
Happy Grillmore - KS turned in 179.4400 in pork — past the 178.8572 that had stood across 3 earlier editions.
- old best 178.8572
- across 3 past editions
Back to defend
2
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: SLAPS BBQ (won 2018), High I Que (won 2019).
- SLAPS BBQ · 2018
- High I Que · 2019
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 29, 2017 | Gardner, KS | Celebration Park 32501 W 159th St | 64 | 706.2856 | CLARK CREW BBQ | PELLET ENVY |
| Sep 28, 2018 | Gardner, KS | Celebration Park 32501 W 159th St | 68 | 705.7028 | SLAPS BBQ | PELLET ENVY |
| Sep 27, 2019 | Gardner, KS | Celebration Park 32501 W 159th St | 53 | 691.3484 | High I Que | MAN MEAT BBQ |
| Sep 11, 2020 ← this one | Gardner, KS | 32501 W 159th St. | 48 | 704.5372 | Slaps BBQ | Happy Grillmore - KS |
| Sep 10, 2021 | Gardner, KS | Gardner, KS 66030 | 53 | 711.4172 | Slaps BBQ | SMOKE RINGERS |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 180 | 176.5600 | 174.8572 |
| Pork Ribs | 178.8572 | 175.4288 | 173.7144 |
| Pork | 179.4400 | 176.0228 | 173.1200 |
| Brisket | 180 | 177.7028 | 174.8572 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
48 entries · top 704.5372 · median 678.4856
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 2 | Happy Grillmore - KS | |
| 3 | SMOKE RINGERS | |
| 4 | BOOM CHICKA COW COW | |
| 5 | HIGH i QUE | |
| 6 | TEXAS OIL DUST | |
| 7 | Scooters BBQ | |
| 8 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 9 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 10 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 11 | Big Al and the Boys | |
| 12 | AMERICAN FIRE BBQ | |
| 13 | BOOMERANG BBQ | |
| 14 | BONES BRIGADE KC | |
| 15 | Free Range Friends BBQ | |
| 16 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 17 | SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE | |
| 18 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | |
| 19 | GEO SMOKERS | |
| 20 | Aggravation BBQ | |
| 21 | Sublime BBQ | |
| 22 | 3 PIGS SMOKIN | |
| 23 | ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | |
| 24 | SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQ | |
| 25 | FULL THROTTLE BBQ | |
| 26 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 27 | Barking Dog BBQ | |
| 28 | Shark Q | |
| 29 | FARM TO FIRE | |
| 30 | DRUM DADDY BBQ | |
| 31 | Wildhouse BBQ | |
| 32 | KC MEAT SWEATS | |
| 33 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 34 | The 28th Amendment | |
| 35 | KC Butt Smokers | |
| 36 | Rhythm & Ribz | |
| 37 | Hogs & Hops BBQ | |
| 38 | Pork Butts and Tator Tots | |
| 39 | Kings of Smoke | |
| 40 | Feline Ferocious Barbecue Team | |
| 41 | Barking Hogs BBQ | |
| 42 | Pork 'n' Butts | |
| 43 | Flying W North BBQ | |
| 44 | Oh my my bbq | |
| 45 | Smokin Somethin | |
| 46 | Bad Boys BBQ | |
| 47 | Smokin' But Not Inhalin' BBQ | |
| 48 | The Lamb Chops |
Chicken
48 entries · top 180 · median 169.4000 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TEXAS OIL DUST | |
| 2 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 3 | SMOKE RINGERS | |
| 4 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 5 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 6 | KC Butt Smokers | |
| 7 | SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE | |
| 8 | BOOM CHICKA COW COW | |
| 9 | FARM TO FIRE | |
| 10 | BOOMERANG BBQ | |
| 11 | Scooters BBQ | |
| 12 | HIGH i QUE | |
| 13 | Barking Dog BBQ | |
| 14 | GEO SMOKERS | |
| 15 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | |
| 16 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 17 | AMERICAN FIRE BBQ | |
| 18 | BONES BRIGADE KC | |
| 19 | Wildhouse BBQ | |
| 20 | SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQ | |
| 21 | Free Range Friends BBQ | |
| 22 | Aggravation BBQ | |
| 23 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 24 | Big Al and the Boys | |
| 25 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 26 | Feline Ferocious Barbecue Team | |
| 27 | Kings of Smoke | |
| 28 | KC MEAT SWEATS | |
| 29 | Happy Grillmore - KS | |
| 30 | DRUM DADDY BBQ | |
| 31 | FULL THROTTLE BBQ | |
| 32 | ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | |
| 33 | 3 PIGS SMOKIN | |
| 34 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 35 | Sublime BBQ | |
| 36 | Shark Q | |
| 37 | Pork Butts and Tator Tots | |
| 38 | Smokin Somethin | |
| 39 | Barking Hogs BBQ | |
| 40 | Rhythm & Ribz | |
| 41 | Hogs & Hops BBQ | |
| 42 | Oh my my bbq | |
| 43 | The 28th Amendment | |
| 44 | Flying W North BBQ | |
| 45 | Bad Boys BBQ | |
| 46 | Pork 'n' Butts | |
| 47 | Smokin' But Not Inhalin' BBQ | |
| 48 | The Lamb Chops |
Pork Ribs
48 entries · top 178.8572 · median 168.2686
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Grillmore - KS | |
| 2 | Aggravation BBQ | |
| 3 | BOOM CHICKA COW COW | |
| 4 | Big Al and the Boys | |
| 5 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 6 | 3 PIGS SMOKIN | |
| 7 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 8 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 9 | Free Range Friends BBQ | |
| 10 | Scooters BBQ | |
| 11 | BONES BRIGADE KC | |
| 12 | HIGH i QUE | |
| 13 | BOOMERANG BBQ | |
| 14 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 15 | Wildhouse BBQ | |
| 16 | AMERICAN FIRE BBQ | |
| 17 | Shark Q | |
| 18 | KC MEAT SWEATS | |
| 19 | TEXAS OIL DUST | |
| 20 | The 28th Amendment | |
| 21 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 22 | FARM TO FIRE | |
| 23 | DRUM DADDY BBQ | |
| 24 | SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQ | |
| 25 | SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE | |
| 26 | Barking Dog BBQ | |
| 27 | Sublime BBQ | |
| 28 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 29 | FULL THROTTLE BBQ | |
| 30 | ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | |
| 31 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | |
| 32 | SMOKE RINGERS | |
| 33 | GEO SMOKERS | |
| 34 | Pork 'n' Butts | |
| 35 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 36 | Bad Boys BBQ | |
| 37 | KC Butt Smokers | |
| 38 | Pork Butts and Tator Tots | |
| 39 | Barking Hogs BBQ | |
| 40 | Kings of Smoke | |
| 41 | Smokin Somethin | |
| 42 | Feline Ferocious Barbecue Team | |
| 43 | Flying W North BBQ | |
| 44 | Rhythm & Ribz | |
| 45 | Hogs & Hops BBQ | |
| 46 | Oh my my bbq | |
| 47 | Smokin' But Not Inhalin' BBQ | |
| 48 | The Lamb Chops |
Pork
48 entries · top 179.4400 · median 168.5430
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Grillmore - KS | |
| 2 | Sublime BBQ | |
| 3 | SMOKE RINGERS | |
| 4 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 5 | FULL THROTTLE BBQ | |
| 6 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 7 | TEXAS OIL DUST | |
| 8 | GEO SMOKERS | |
| 9 | BOOM CHICKA COW COW | |
| 10 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 11 | BONES BRIGADE KC | |
| 12 | Hogs & Hops BBQ | |
| 13 | Scooters BBQ | |
| 14 | HIGH i QUE | |
| 15 | SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQ | |
| 16 | The 28th Amendment | |
| 17 | SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE | |
| 18 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 19 | Free Range Friends BBQ | |
| 20 | Big Al and the Boys | |
| 21 | 3 PIGS SMOKIN | |
| 22 | BOOMERANG BBQ | |
| 23 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | |
| 24 | Feline Ferocious Barbecue Team | |
| 25 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 26 | ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | |
| 27 | Flying W North BBQ | |
| 28 | FARM TO FIRE | |
| 29 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 30 | KC Butt Smokers | |
| 31 | Rhythm & Ribz | |
| 32 | AMERICAN FIRE BBQ | |
| 33 | Shark Q | |
| 34 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 35 | Aggravation BBQ | |
| 36 | Barking Dog BBQ | |
| 37 | DRUM DADDY BBQ | |
| 38 | Barking Hogs BBQ | |
| 39 | The Lamb Chops | |
| 40 | Pork Butts and Tator Tots | |
| 41 | Smokin Somethin | |
| 42 | Wildhouse BBQ | |
| 43 | Pork 'n' Butts | |
| 44 | KC MEAT SWEATS | |
| 45 | Smokin' But Not Inhalin' BBQ | |
| 46 | Kings of Smoke | |
| 47 | Oh my my bbq | |
| 48 | Bad Boys BBQ |
Brisket
48 entries · top 180 · median 169.3942 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Grillmore - KS | |
| 2 | AMERICAN FIRE BBQ | |
| 3 | ALL FORKED UP FOR Q | |
| 4 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 5 | SMOKE RINGERS | |
| 6 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 7 | HIGH i QUE | |
| 8 | SLAPS BBQ | |
| 9 | Big Al and the Boys | |
| 10 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | |
| 11 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 12 | Scooters BBQ | |
| 13 | LOVE 2 Q | |
| 14 | GEO SMOKERS | |
| 15 | Sublime BBQ | |
| 16 | BOOMERANG BBQ | |
| 17 | Shark Q | |
| 18 | SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE | |
| 19 | TEXAS OIL DUST | |
| 20 | Aggravation BBQ | |
| 21 | 3 PIGS SMOKIN | |
| 22 | BOOM CHICKA COW COW | |
| 23 | FULL THROTTLE BBQ | |
| 24 | Free Range Friends BBQ | |
| 25 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 26 | BONES BRIGADE KC | |
| 27 | DRUM DADDY BBQ | |
| 28 | Barking Dog BBQ | |
| 29 | Rhythm & Ribz | |
| 30 | SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQ | |
| 31 | Oh my my bbq | |
| 32 | KC MEAT SWEATS | |
| 33 | Wildhouse BBQ | |
| 34 | The 28th Amendment | |
| 35 | Kings of Smoke | |
| 36 | Pork 'n' Butts | |
| 37 | FARM TO FIRE | |
| 38 | Pork Butts and Tator Tots | |
| 39 | Hogs & Hops BBQ | |
| 40 | Barking Hogs BBQ | |
| 41 | Flying W North BBQ | |
| 42 | ROCK N BLUES BBQ | |
| 43 | KC Butt Smokers | |
| 44 | Smokin' But Not Inhalin' BBQ | |
| 45 | Smokin Somethin | |
| 46 | Feline Ferocious Barbecue Team | |
| 47 | Bad Boys BBQ | |
| 48 | The Lamb Chops |