The heartbreaker
Came within 2.8916 points of the Grand Championship at Smoking for a Reason (BACKYARD ONLY) (Aug 23, 2019).
DANG GOOD BBQ is a competition barbecue team with 76 Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) contests on record between 2019 and 2026. They have won 3 Grand Championships, most recently at the Fire on the Mountain BBQ (2026), and finished Reserve Grand Champion 3 times. They are ranked #454 of 6,485 teams in the KCBS power rankings.
These overall scores sit on different scales (Master (1-meat) out of 180, Master out of 720, Backyard out of 360, Backyard (3-meat) out of 540), so they're kept separate — averaging them together would be misleading.
This team cooks the Backyard series — its own boards, records and Team of the Year are here.
| Year | Series | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ↗ | Master | #163 (1,069 pts) | #272 (779 pts) | #119 (1,314 pts) | #144 (1,089 pts) | #250 (774 pts) |
| 2025 ↗ | Master | #86 (1,670 pts) | #81 (1,667 pts) | #123 (1,528 pts) | #37 (1,965 pts) | #57 (1,825 pts) |
| 2024 ↗ | Master | #71 (1,698 pts) | #125 (1,327 pts) | #101 (1,491 pts) | #100 (1,414 pts) | #72 (1,593 pts) |
| 2023 ↗ | Backyard | — | #215 (193 pts) | #185 (245 pts) | — | — |
| 2023 ↗ | Master | #565 (307 pts) | #597 (317 pts) | #377 (654 pts) | #712 (227 pts) | #659 (262 pts) |
| 2022 ↗ | Master | #763 (206 pts) | — | #852 (206 pts) | — | — |
| 2020 ↗ | Master | #821 (75 pts) | #1114 (55 pts) | #873 (75 pts) | #872 (70 pts) | #846 (75 pts) |
| 2019 ↗ | Master | #1849 (75 pts) | #2538 (55 pts) | #1930 (75 pts) | #1963 (70 pts) | #1906 (75 pts) |
The teams rated closest to DANG GOOD BBQ, each with one reason worth a look.
One contest in common so far: too few to settle anything, but a team DANG GOOD BBQ has actually stood beside rather than a stranger on the same rating.
⚔ Head-to-headFewer contests behind them than DANG GOOD BBQ has cooked, 38 to 76, which makes theirs the less settled rating of the two.
⚔ Head-to-headTheir rating is built on 2 Grand Championships in 42 contests, alongside a 69% overall top-10 rate.
⚔ Compare careersTheir last contest in the data was back in 2022, 4 years before DANG GOOD BBQ's most recent — their rating stopped moving when they stopped cooking.
⚔ Compare careersThey've been 1819 at their best, 133 points above where they sit today — they're arriving at this rating from above.
⚔ Compare careersLevel with DANG GOOD BBQ on power rating, which is the whole reason they're on the list.
⚔ Compare careers| Opponent | Meetings | Ahead | Behind | Win rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | 28 | 8 | 20 | 29% | ⚔ compare |
| Kith n' Kin | 23 | 16 | 7 | 70% | ⚔ compare |
| PIGLITICALLY INCORRECT BBQ | 23 | 10 | 13 | 43% | ⚔ compare |
| Glamping Grillers | 19 | 7 | 12 | 37% | ⚔ compare |
| LEE LA Q | 19 | 6 | 13 | 32% | ⚔ compare |
| Organizer Portal | 19 | 6 | 13 | 32% | ⚔ compare |
| MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ | 17 | 10 | 7 | 59% | ⚔ compare |
| HOLD YOUR HORSES BBQ | 17 | 9 | 8 | 53% | ⚔ compare |
| BAD ROOSTER BBQ | 16 | 5 | 11 | 31% | ⚔ compare |
| TRIPLE H BBQ | 16 | 3 | 13 | 19% | ⚔ compare |
| RAZORRACKS | 15 | 4 | 11 | 27% | ⚔ compare |
| Pork Life | 14 | 9 | 5 | 64% | ⚔ compare |
| Rollin Smoke BBQ | 14 | 6 | 8 | 43% | ⚔ compare |
| COOL HAND QUE | 14 | 6 | 8 | 43% | ⚔ compare |
| SMOKIN' SWEETMEATS | 14 | 5 | 9 | 36% | ⚔ compare |
| Category | Entries | Calls | Wins | Podiums | Best | Worst | Average | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 61 | 24 | 3 | 5 | 180 🔥 | 147.8856 | 170.97 | top 44% |
| Pork Ribs | 65 | 27 | 2 | 9 | 180 🔥 | 152.4916 | 169.81 | top 46% |
| Pork | 48 | 26 | 1 | 7 | 180 🔥 | 158.2172 | 171.71 | top 39% |
| Brisket | 45 | 20 | 0 | 5 | 178.8572 | 146.8228 | 170.35 | top 44% |
“Calls” = top-10 category finishes (getting called to the stage). Scores here are the final weighted totals KCBS publishes; per-criterion appearance/taste/tenderness marks aren’t in the public results feed.
| Field | Contests | GCs | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (<20 teams) | 11 | 1 | top 43% |
| Medium (20–39) | 36 | 2 | top 43% |
| Large (40+) | 11 | 0 | top 31% |
| Contest | Visits | Best | GCs | Avg finish | Last visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke on the Falls | 6 | 9 | 0 | top 43% | Apr 3, 2026 |
| Bloomin' BBQ Music & Food Festival | 2 | 7 | 0 | top 29% | May 15, 2026 |
| Smoke on the Shores BBQ Championship | 2 | 26 | 0 | top 25% | Mar 20, 2026 |
| Code 3 Spices - Smokin' on Main | 2 | 5 | 0 | top 25% | Jul 26, 2025 |
| Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Festival | 2 | 5 | 0 | top 24% | May 30, 2025 |
| Atlanta BBQ Store Classic | 2 | 11 | 0 | top 39% | Nov 15, 2024 |
| Kickin' It Route 66 BBQ (Day 2) | 2 | 30 | 0 | top 87% | Mar 23, 2024 |
| Poosa Q | 2 | 10 | 0 | top 19% | May 5, 2022 |
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| +15.6 | TN River BBQ Fest | Sep 27, 2024 |
| +15.6 | Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Festival | May 31, 2024 |
| +15.3 | Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest | May 29, 2026 |
| +14.7 | Smoking for a Reason (BACKYARD ONLY) | Aug 23, 2019 |
| +13.2 | Bands & BBQ at the Point | Sep 13, 2024 |
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| -15.7 | 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam | Jan 9, 2026 |
| -11.5 | Mission Farms King of the Farm | Feb 23, 2024 |
| -9.3 | Cotton Pickin BBQ Cook-Off | Jul 26, 2019 |
| -8.9 | COTR BBQ | Dec 6, 2019 |
| -7.8 | Murphysboro BBQ Cook-off/Praise the Lard | Sep 25, 2026 |
| Season | Contests | GCs | Top-10s | Category wins | Walk rate | Avg finish | Best overall (% of perfect) | Avg overall (% of perfect) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 75% | top 39% | 98.5% | 96% |
| 2025 | 16 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 88% | top 31% | 97.8% | 96.1% |
| 2024 | 18 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 67% | top 40% | 97.5% | 95.2% |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% | top 48% | 95.2% | 94% |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% | top 39% | 95.5% | 94.5% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100% | top 26% | 94.6% | 94.6% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100% | top 46% | 92.7% | 92.7% |
| 2019 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 63% | top 56% | 94.9% | 91% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50% | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 25% | — | — | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | — | — | — |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | — | — | — |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33% | — | — | — |
| Date | Event | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25, 2026 | Murphysboro BBQ Cook-off/Praise the Lard 🏅 Murphysboro, IL | 46 / 71 (681.0284) | 46 (170.8344) | 35 (171.9656) | 59 (165.6800) | 31 (172.5484) |
| Jul 24, 2026 | Fire on the Mountain BBQ 🏅 Leburn, KY | 1 / 22 (703.3712) | 10 (173.1084) | 1 (178.8572) | 6 (177.1428) | 3 (174.2628) |
| Jun 19, 2026 | BBQ for Bravery 🏅 Alcoa, TN | 9 / 19 (691.9084) | 17 (170.2512) | 4 (174.2744) | 2 (180) | 14 (167.3828) |
| May 29, 2026 | Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest 🏅 Covington, TN | 1 / 25 (709.1084) | 4 (180) | 1 (180) | 9 (176.5600) | 14 (172.5484) |
| May 15, 2026 | Bloomin' BBQ Music & Food Festival 🏅 Sevierville, TN | 12 / 33 (685.6116) | 14 (173.1084) | 2 (177.7144) | 17 (167.4060) | 19 (167.3828) |
| Apr 3, 2026 | Smoke on the Falls 🏅 Gadsden, AL | 19 / 36 (688.4800) | 25 (170.8228) | 10 (174.2744) | 18 (171.4172) | 21 (171.9656) |
| Mar 20, 2026 | Smoke on the Shores BBQ Championship 🏅 Lebanon, TN | 31 / 125 (691.9432) | 21 (176.5600) | 30 (174.2744) | 53 (172.5600) | 76 (168.5488) |
| Jan 9, 2026 | 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam 🏅 St. Augustine, FL | 30 / 38 (681.0056) | 29 (170.8344) | 35 (165.0856) | 3 (178.8572) | 33 (166.2284) |
| Oct 17, 2025 | Roast N Boast 🏅 Columbus, MS | 8 / 13 (680.4572) | 10 (167.3828) | 7 (169.6800) | 7 (172.5600) | 5 (170.8344) |
| Oct 3, 2025 | Hub City BBQ Fest (formerly TN River BBQ Fest) 🏅 Jackson, TN | 10 / 25 (684.4800) | 7 (174.2628) | 16 (169.6800) | 2 (176.5716) | 18 (163.9656) |
| Sep 26, 2025 | Downtown Jonesboro BBQ Festival 🏅 Jonesboro, AR | 9 / 26 (698.2056) | 12 (171.9656) | 8 (174.2744) | 10 (174.2628) | 6 (177.7028) |
| Sep 19, 2025 | The Great Alabama BBQ Cook-off Qualifier "Don't Burn the Brisket" (ONE MEAT BRISKET) Glencoe, AL | — | — | — | — | 12 (163.9428) |
| Jul 26, 2025 | Code 3 Spices - Smokin' on Main 🏅 Collinsville, IL | 11 / 32 (693.6572) | 14 (174.2628) | 28 (167.4172) | 6 (175.4172) | 3 (176.5600) |
| Jun 20, 2025 | Big BBQ Bash 🏅 Maryville, TN | 2 / 26 (703.9888) | 6 (175.4172) | 6 (176.5600) | 4 (174.2972) | 3 (177.7144) |
| May 30, 2025 | Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Festival 🏅 Covington, TN | 7 / 25 (692.4800) | 6 (174.2628) | 13 (167.3944) | 2 (176.5600) | 8 (174.2628) |
| May 16, 2025 | Bloomin' BBQ Music & Food Festival 🏅 Sevierville, TN | 7 / 33 (687.3256) | 21 (168.5256) | 13 (170.8228) | 4 (174.8572) | 6 (173.1200) |
| May 9, 2025 | 43rd Annual Kennett Jaycees BBQ Cook Off 🏅 Kennett, MO | 7 / 27 (694.7772) | 10 (176.5600) | 8 (170.8228) | 9 (174.2744) | 9 (173.1200) |
| May 2, 2025 | Hog Wild BBQ Cookoff and Family Fest 🏅 Brookhaven, MS | 5 / 27 (698.2404) | 4 (178.8572) | 20 (169.6916) | 1 (178.8572) | 11 (170.8344) |
| Apr 25, 2025 | BBQ & Boogie 🏅 Calhoun, GA | 12 / 32 (688.4800) | 15 (171.9656) | 19 (169.6800) | 8 (172.5716) | 8 (174.2628) |
| Apr 11, 2025 | Smoke on the Falls BBQ Competition 🏅 Gadsden, AL | 15 / 31 (691.3256) | 18 (173.1200) | 23 (168.5372) | 8 (177.7028) | 18 (171.9656) |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Smokin on the Rez 🏅 Ridgeland, MS | 3 / 17 (696.4912) | 1 (179.4400) | 6 (171.9772) | 9 (171.9656) | 4 (173.1084) |
| Mar 14, 2025 | Smoke on the Shores BBQ Championship 🏅 Lebanon, TN | 26 / 100 (692.5144) | 24 (175.4172) | 65 (168.5372) | 36 (173.7144) | 23 (174.8456) |
| Mar 14, 2025 | Smoke on the Shores BBQ Championship (ONE MEAT RIBS) Lebanon, TN | — | — | 7 (177.7144) | — | — |
| Mar 7, 2025 | Sip & Swine BBQ Festival 🏅 Lawrenceville, GA | 15 / 45 (689.0168) | 17 (174.2628) | 3 (177.7144) | 37 (163.9312) | 12 (173.1084) |
| Dec 6, 2024 | Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship 🏅 Demopolis, AL | 6 / 11 (686.7312) | 2 (175.4172) | 7 (168.5372) | 5 (171.9656) | 7 (170.8112) |
| Nov 15, 2024 | Atlanta BBQ Store Classic 🏅 Cuming, GA | 11 / 58 (693.6576) | 13 (175.4288) | 39 (168.5372) | 25 (170.8344) | 3 (178.8572) |
| Oct 30, 2024 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Sides Kansas City, KS | — | — | — | — | — |
| Oct 30, 2024 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest 🏅 Kansas City, KS | 115 / 444 (686.1940) | 119 (174.2628) | 179 (170.8228) | 237 (167.9656) | 64 (173.1428) |
| Oct 18, 2024 | Roast N Boast 🏅 Columbus, MS | 6 / 15 (684.4456) | 7 (170.8228) | 5 (173.1200) | 6 (171.9772) | 8 (168.5256) |
| Sep 27, 2024 | TN River BBQ Fest 🏅 Saltillo, TN | 1 / 17 (701.6684) | 1 (180) | 5 (171.9656) | 5 (174.2628) | 2 (175.4400) |
| Sep 13, 2024 | Bands & BBQ at the Point 🏅 Carrollton, KY | 2 / 31 (694.7424) | 7 (175.4056) | 15 (168.5256) | 3 (177.7028) | 8 (173.1084) |
| Aug 17, 2024 | Smoke N for the Kids 🏅 Troy, IL | 8 / 27 (691.3256) | 15 (171.9656) | 17 (168.5372) | 10 (174.2628) | 5 (176.5600) |
| Jul 27, 2024 | Code 3 Spices - Smokin' on Main 🏅 Collinsville, IL | 5 / 34 (693.0628) | 10 (176) | 17 (169.6800) | 13 (171.9772) | 4 (175.4056) |
| Jun 7, 2024 | Hayden West's Delta Smoke BBQ Contest 🏅 Wynne, AR | 6 / 33 (696.4912) | 15 (173.1084) | 3 (177.1544) | 13 (170.8228) | 7 (175.4056) |
| May 31, 2024 | Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Festival 🏅 Covington, TN | 5 / 25 (696.5376) | 12 (173.1316) | 2 (177.7144) | 10 (172.5716) | 10 (173.1200) |
| May 3, 2024 | Hog Wild BBQ & Family Fest 🏅 Brookhaven, MS | 16 / 25 (677.6572) | 20 (167.9656) | 18 (167.4172) | 8 (173.1544) | 13 (169.1200) |
| Apr 12, 2024 | Smoke on the Falls 🏅 Gadsden, AL | 13 / 31 (684.4572) | 23 (167.3828) | 16 (169.6800) | 11 (173.1200) | 5 (174.2744) |
| Mar 23, 2024 | Kickin' It Route 66 BBQ (Day 2) 🏅 St. Robert, MO | 30 / 34 (674.7660) | 23 (172.0116) | 17 (171.9772) | 27 (168.5372) | 33 (162.2400) |
| Mar 23, 2024 | Kickin' It Route 66 BBQ (ONE MEAT RIBS) St. Robert, MO | — | — | 15 (166.2400) | — | — |
| Mar 22, 2024 | Kickin' It Route 66 BBQ (Day 1) 🏅 St. Robert, MO | 30 / 35 (659.8740) | 17 (171.9656) | 14 (171.4056) | 17 (169.6800) | 35 (146.8228) |
| Feb 23, 2024 | Mission Farms King of the Farm 🏅 Iron Station, NC | 25 / 26 (650.6860) | 26 (155.9316) | 24 (162.8344) | 15 (167.3944) | 24 (164.5256) |
| Jan 4, 2024 | 8th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam & Car Show 🏅 Elkton, FL | 11 / 43 (690.7888) | 13 (174.2628) | 10 (176.5600) | 21 (170.8344) | 17 (169.1316) |
| Nov 17, 2023 | Atlanta BBQ Store Classic 🏅 Cumming, GA | 36 / 60 (677.0516) | 27 (171.9772) | 13 (175.4172) | 19 (172.5600) | 57 (157.0972) |
| Sep 27, 2023 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Sides Kansas City, KS | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sep 27, 2023 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest 🏅 Kansas City, KS | 114 / 487 (685.6000) | 328 (165.0856) | 60 (175.4056) | 115 (173.1200) | 101 (171.9888) |
| Sep 22, 2023 | O'So Good BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) #1 Oneonta, AL | 11 / 18 (335.9084) | 4 (175.4056) | 17 (160.5028) | — | — |
| Sep 22, 2023 | O'So Good BBQ Festival (One Meat Ribs) Oneonta, AL | — | — | 5 (167.3828) | — | — |
| Jul 21, 2023 | Smoke on the Mountain 🏅 Galax, VA | 26 / 38 (666.1600) | 21 (169.6800) | 20 (167.4288) | 26 (167.3828) | 27 (161.6684) |
| Apr 28, 2023 | BBQ Boogie & Blues 🏅 Calhoun, GA | 16 / 32 (678.2404) | 24 (167.3828) | 6 (174.2744) | 21 (166.8688) | 13 (169.7144) |
| Apr 7, 2023 | Smoke on the Falls 🏅 Gadsden, AL | 9 / 39 (681.0972) | 6 (173.1200) | 3 (174.2628) | 19 (166.8572) | 20 (166.8572) |
| Oct 21, 2022 | Barbecue With A View (BACKYARD ONLY) Vicksburg, MS | 14 / 28 (336.5144) | 14 (169.1200) | 12 (167.3944) | — | — |
| Oct 7, 2022 | 2nd Annual Oscar Bothwell Memorial Scholarship Rib Rally (One Meat Ribs) Oneonta, AL | 3 / 6 (171.9772) | — | 3 (171.9772) | — | — |
| May 5, 2022 | Poosa Q 🏅 Montgomery, AL | 12 / 72 (340.5372) | 12 (172) | 19 (168.5372) | — | — |
| Apr 8, 2022 | Smoke on the Falls 🏅 Gadsden, AL | 13 / 34 (340.5028) | 9 (173.1200) | 24 (167.3828) | — | — |
| Apr 9, 2021 | Smoke on the Falls 🏅 Gadsden, AL | 10 / 38 (340.5028) | 6 (173.1200) | 19 (167.3828) | — | — |
| Sep 18, 2020 | Smoke on the Falls 🏅 Gadsden, AL | 13 / 28 (333.6800) | 7 (171.4400) | 30 (162.2400) | — | — |
| Dec 6, 2019 | COTR BBQ 🏅 Demopolis, AL | 20 / 25 (627.1544) | 24 (147.8856) | 20 (159.3944) | 21 (158.2172) | 20 (161.6572) |
| Oct 11, 2019 | Smokin' & Stokin' Trussville (BACKYARD ONLY) Trussville, AL | 11 / 17 (474.7544) | 9 (155.3828) | 8 (161.1088) | 9 (158.2628) | — |
| Sep 6, 2019 | Fire on the Mountain (BACKYARD ONLY) Arab, AL | 9 / 19 (497.0172) | 11 (168.5372) | 16 (158.8000) | 4 (169.6800) | — |
| Aug 23, 2019 | Smoking for a Reason (BACKYARD ONLY) Fort Payne, AL | 2 / 11 (512.4800) | 4 (171.9656) | 5 (166.2400) | 2 (174.2744) | — |
| Jul 26, 2019 | Cotton Pickin BBQ Cook-Off 🏅 Hartselle, AL | 26 / 27 (315.8744) | 19 (163.3828) | 28 (152.4916) | — | — |
| Jun 14, 2019 | Poosa-Q 🏅 Montgomery, AL | 10 / 48 (340.5028) | 19 (165.0856) | 4 (175.4172) | — | — |
| Jun 7, 2019 | Reelin N Smokin Backyard BBQ Competition (BACKYARD ONLY) Huntsville, AL | 17 / 25 (325.0400) | 20 (157.6456) | 11 (167.3944) | — | — |
| Apr 12, 2019 | Smoke on the Falls 🏅 Gadsden, AL | 16 / 30 (336.5028) | 10 (171.9772) | 27 (164.5256) | — | — |
| Oct 19, 2018 | Clarksville BBQ Bash (COMPETITOR'S SERIES) (JUDGES FULL) Clarksville, TN | — | 3 (167.3828) | 6 (162.8112) | — | — |
| Jul 27, 2018 | Cotton Pickin BBQ Cook-off Hartselle, AL | — | — | — | — | — |
| Oct 27, 2017 | Jack Daniel's World Championship Shade Tree Contest (BACKYARD) Lynchburg, TN | — | 1 (177.7028) | 15 (166.8112) | 32 (160.5256) | — |
| Jul 28, 2017 | Cotton Pickin BBQ Cook-off Hartselle, AL | — | — | — | — | — |
| May 19, 2017 | Barber Q Battle (PRO/MASTER AND BACKYARD) Birmingham, AL | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mar 3, 2017 | Bodagetta BBQ Auburn, AL | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jul 29, 2016 | Cotton Pickin BBQ Cook-Off Hartselle, AL | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jul 31, 2015 | I Grill Because I CARE (Competitor's Series) New Hope, AL | — | 14 (170.2972) | 25 (161.6800) | — | — |
| Apr 10, 2015 | Smoke on the Falls Gadsden, AL | — | — | — | — | — |
| Oct 18, 2014 | I Grill Because I CARE (Competitor's Series) New Hope, AL | — | 21 (154.2056) | 2 (173.7028) | — | — |
| May 16, 2014 | Cotton Pickin' BBQ Cookoff Hartselle, AL | — | — | — | — | — |
| Apr 11, 2014 | Smoke on the Falls Noccalula BBQ Fest Gadsden, AL | — | — | — | — | — |