YELLOW RIVER BBQ

YELLOW RIVER BBQ is a competition barbecue team with 104 Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) contests on record between 2013 and 2018. They have won 12 Grand Championships, most recently at the Pig Mania Marion (2016), and finished Reserve Grand Champion 6 times. They are ranked #72 of 6,491 teams in the KCBS power rankings.

⚔ Compare with another team

At a glance (the record in numbers)

Power ranking

#72

of 6,491 rated · rankings

Rating

1824

peak 1846 · rated over 103 contests1 invitational or side-series contest not counted

Contests

104

in the data

First seen

Apr 5, 2013

latest Sep 21, 2018 · 5.5 years on the trail

Best ToY finish

Master 2015 · every season

Grand champs

6 reserve · wins it all 12% of the time

Category wins

90 podiums

Overall top-10s

74% of 104 contests

Best top-10 run

straight overall top-10s · 3 straight GCs

Avg finish

top 20%

overall standings

Best overall

705.7144 / 720

Master · PigMania Lima

Perfect 180s

7 🔥

Current form

679.44 ▲

last 5 Master vs avg 677.24 (+2.20)

Walk rate

89%

contests with a top-10 call

Best single call

180 🔥

Brisket · Smokin' In McMinnville

Consistency

±20.06

spread of their Master overall scores (lower = steadier)

Strongest meat

Chicken

avg 170.34 · weakest Pork Ribs (168.49)

Road miles

26,305

across 104 mapped stops · furthest 1,718 mi

Schedule strength

48%

of rated fields were softer than their average draw (1562)

Master avg

677.24 / 720

104 Master contests · 12 GCs

Storylines (19 found in their record)

Each card leads with the number behind the story, straight from their results.

The heartbreaker

1.7372 points from the title

Came within 1.7372 points of the Grand Championship at Jim Beam BBQ Classic (Oct 3, 2014).

Among the elite

#72 of 6,491 rated teams

In the top 1% of every rated team in the data

A power rating of 1824 puts them #72 of 6,491 rated teams — the top 1% of the field.

rating 1824
peak 1846
103 rated contests

The 180 club

7 perfect 180s

7 perfect 180s in the data — every judge at the table handing back a nine, across 3 different meats.

Pork ×3
Brisket ×3
Chicken ×1

Against the odds

28-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings

The ratings favoured the top seed the other 72 times in 100

Their Grand Championship at Smokin' On The Water (May 3, 2014) came as the ratings underdog — roughly a 28-in-100 shot against the field's top-rated team, WARREN COUNTY PORK CHOPPERS.

Giant slayer

59 teams beaten in one weekend

Took the Grand Championship over a 59-team field at Smokin' On The River.

Jun 12, 2015

Happy hunting ground

1× Grand Championship here

Smokin' On The Water is their spot: 1 Grand Championship in 2 visits.

2 visits
best finish 1st
average top 5%

Multi-meat days

4 contests with 2+ category wins

They've won two or more meats on the same day 4 times — the best of them 2 category wins at Central Illinois BBQ Throwdown (Formerly Morton BBQ Throwdown) (Jul 22, 2016).

Chicken 1st
Brisket 1st

Show 12 more storylines

They almost always walk

89% of contests with a top-10 call

A call in 93 of 104 contests

A top-10 category call in 89% of their 104 contests — they get to the stage more often than not.

High-water mark

705.7144 career-best overall

98.0% of a perfect 720

Their best day on record: 705.7144 at PigMania Lima — 98.0% of a perfect 720.

Master
May 29, 2015

The one to beat

3× one call ahead of them

ALL IN QUE has finished one call ahead of YELLOW RIVER BBQ 3 times — their closest competition in the data.

Their season

2015 6 Grand Championships

2015 was the year it came together: 32 contests, 6 Grand Championships and 10 category wins, at an average finish in the top 16%.

32 contests
27 overall top-10s
10 category wins
average top 16%

A tough matchup

15–5 behind in the head-to-head

BIG BROTHERS BBQ ahead in 75% of their meetings

BIG BROTHERS BBQ has come out ahead in 15 of their 20 shared contests.

A strong matchup

25–4 ahead in the head-to-head

Ahead in 86% of their meetings

They've finished ahead of Extra Mile BBQ in 25 of their 29 shared contests.

The comeback

1.9 yrs off the trail, then back

Off the trail for 1.9 years, then back at Grilling & Chillin BBQ (Sep 21, 2018).

last seen Oct 14, 2016
back Sep 21, 2018

Chicken nemesis

23 of 37 shared chicken entries lost

BIG JT'S SMOKIN BBQ ahead 62% of the time

Even in their strongest meat, BIG JT'S SMOKIN BBQ has out-cooked them in 23 of 37 shared chicken entries.

Announced themselves early

3rd at their very first contest

Finished 3 of 50 at their very first tracked contest, 1st Annual Parkinson's Smoke Out (Apr 5, 2013).

Apr 5, 2013
50-team field

Looking over their shoulder

4× one call behind them

THUNDER HOG BBQ has landed one call behind them 4 times.

The long haul

26,305 road miles between contests

Contest to contest, they've covered roughly 26,305 miles across 104 mapped stops — the longest single trip being 1,718 miles to King of the Smoker Invitational (JUDGES FULL).

104 mapped stops
furthest 1,718 mi

A standing appointment

4 years running at one contest

They've cooked Jim Beam BBQ Classic every year from 2013 to 2016 — the contest they never miss.

4 visits in all
best finish 2nd

Team of the Year (rank per category by season — the year links to the full board on kcbs.us)

Year	Series	Overall	Chicken	Ribs	Pork	Brisket
2018 ↗	Master	#1524 (120 pts)	#1842 (95 pts)	#1466 (155 pts)	#1803 (105 pts)	#1727 (115 pts)
2016 ↗	Master	#47 (2,358 pts)	#45 (2,146 pts)	#76 (1,905 pts)	#149 (1,572 pts)	#13 (2,502 pts)
2015 ↗	Master	#8 (2,659 pts)	#14 (2,427 pts)	#9 (2,514 pts)	#27 (2,287 pts)	#11 (2,544 pts)
2014 ↗	Master	#29 (2,558 pts)	#75 (1,977 pts)	#50 (2,018 pts)	#1 🏆 (2,793 pts)	#21 (2,513 pts)
2013 ↗	Master	#50 (2,279 pts)	#25 (2,309 pts)	#77 (1,863 pts)	#75 (1,873 pts)	#118 (1,732 pts)

Overall rank by season

Teams like this (closest power rating)

The teams rated closest to YELLOW RIVER BBQ, each with one reason worth a look.

MOYERS COMPETITION BAR-B-Q TEAM

#71 of the rated field

1824 power rating

Contests: 61
GCs: 8
Top-10s: 70%
Peak: 1824

1–2 in 3 shared contests (33% to YELLOW RIVER BBQ)

These two have cooked 3 of the same contests — MOYERS COMPETITION BAR-B-Q TEAM ahead 2–1 — so there's a record behind this pairing and not just a matching number.

rated over 60 contests
last seen Aug 20, 2021

⚔ Head-to-head

HOG TIDE BAR-B-QUE

#75 of the rated field

1823 ▼ 1 power rating

Contests: 104
GCs: 16
Top-10s: 73%
Peak: 1856

2–1 in 3 shared contests (67% to YELLOW RIVER BBQ)

They've been 1856 at their best, 33 points above where they sit today — they're arriving at this rating from above.

rated over 98 contests
last seen Oct 27, 2023

⚔ Head-to-head

GRILLS GONE WILD IOWA

#74 of the rated field

1823 ▼ 1 power rating

Contests: 79
GCs: 7
Top-10s: 63%
Peak: 1837

2–2 in 4 shared contests (50% to YELLOW RIVER BBQ)

Careers of much the same size, 79 contests to 104, so neither rating has had more chance to settle than the other.

rated over 74 contests
last seen Aug 9, 2019

⚔ Head-to-head

Colorado Bulldawg BBQ

#73 of the rated field

1823 ▼ 1 power rating

Contests: 136
GCs: 13
Top-10s: 63%
Peak: 1823

Their rating is built on 13 Grand Championships in 136 contests, alongside a 63% overall top-10 rate.

rated over 126 contests
last seen Oct 17, 2026

⚔ Compare careers

PADDY MCQ'S

#70 of the rated field

1826 ▲ 2 power rating

Contests: 157
GCs: 10
Top-10s: 62%
Peak: 1847

Rated 2 points above YELLOW RIVER BBQ.

rated over 145 contests
last seen Oct 9, 2026

⚔ Compare careers

4 LEGS UP BBQ

#76 of the rated field

1822 ▼ 2 power rating

Contests: 343
GCs: 16
Top-10s: 62%
Peak: 1922

Both teams' first contest in the data came in 2013.

rated over 323 contests
last seen Sep 27, 2023

⚔ Compare careers

Familiar foes (most-met opponents in overall standings — one meeting per contest)

Opponent	Meetings	Ahead	Behind	Win rate
THUNDER HOG BBQ	39	27	12	69%	⚔ compare
BIG JT'S SMOKIN BBQ	37	20	17	54%	⚔ compare
THE REAL SMOKIN ACES	34	15	19	44%	⚔ compare
QUAU	33	19	14	58%	⚔ compare
iBQ'n	33	15	18	45%	⚔ compare
Mac Attack BBQ	32	24	8	75%	⚔ compare
One2BBQ	32	11	21	34%	⚔ compare
GREY STREET BBQ	30	17	13	57%	⚔ compare
Extra Mile BBQ	29	25	4	86%	⚔ compare
HUG HOGS	29	20	9	69%	⚔ compare
HISTORIC BBQ	28	24	4	86%	⚔ compare
WeQ4U	28	22	6	79%	⚔ compare
BLUE CHIP BBQ	24	17	7	71%	⚔ compare
SMOKIN' IN THE D	24	13	11	54%	⚔ compare
SQUEALERS AWARD WINNING BARBEQUE	23	18	5	78%	⚔ compare

By meat

Category	Entries	Calls	Wins	Podiums	Best	Worst	Average	Avg finish
Chicken	104	52	6	20	180 🔥	153.6456	170.34	top 31%
Pork Ribs	104	44	5	19	178.8572	154.8344	168.49	top 31%
Pork	104	55	10	22	180 🔥	151.9428	169.72	top 29%
Brisket	104	56	7	29	180 🔥	20	168.70	top 27%

“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.

By field size and state

By contest size

Field	Contests	GCs	Avg finish
Medium (20–39)	47	8	top 21%
Large (40+)	57	4	top 20%

By state / province (where the contests were held)

Where	Contests	GCs	Avg finish
IN	27	4	top 18%
IL	19	3	top 15%
WI	12	2	top 19%
OH	11	2	top 16%
MI	10	1	top 31%
KY	9	0	top 24%
TN	4	0	top 15%
MO	3	0	top 27%
GA	3	0	top 22%
MS	2	0	top 22%
WV	1	0	top 24%
CA	1	0	top 63%
FL	1	0	top 10%
AR	1	0	top 74%

Repeat visits (contests they've cooked twice or more)

Contest	Visits	Best	GCs	Avg finish	Last visit
Jim Beam BBQ Classic	4	2	0	top 22%	Sep 30, 2016
Grill Games	3	1	1	top 5%	Aug 26, 2016
Smoke on the Square: In memory of David Harness	3	3	0	top 22%	Jun 24, 2016
Buckeye State BBQ Championship	3	3	0	top 18%	May 15, 2015
Smokin' On The Water	2	1	1	top 5%	May 3, 2014
Bands & BBQ at the Point	2	2	0	top 8%	Sep 16, 2016
Red, White & BBQ (Day 2)	2	4	0	top 11%	May 28, 2016
Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival	2	5	0	top 10%	Aug 21, 2015
Sam's Club National BBQ Tour (Regional)	2	4	0	top 28%	Aug 7, 2015
Red, White and BBQ (Day 2)	2	5	0	top 21%	May 23, 2015
MO Veterans Home BBQ BIVOUAC	2	5	0	top 23%	Nov 8, 2014
Silver Lake Apple BBQ Festival	2	8	0	top 20%	Sep 12, 2014
Sam's Club National BBQ Tour	2	3	0	top 13%	Jun 27, 2014
Smokin' On The River	2	2	0	top 10%	Jun 13, 2014

More numbers

Busiest season 2015 32 contests · 6 GCs

Contests a season 20.8 across 5 seasons in the data

Most contests held in IN 27 of 104 contests · 14 states in all

Contests visited 85 14 of them more than once

First title May 3, 2014 Smokin' On The Water

Opponents faced 1,512 finished ahead 3,554 times, behind 803

Longest layoff 1.9 yrs Oct 14, 2016 → Sep 21, 2018

Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)

20181 milestone

Sep 21 Most recent contest Grilling & Chillin BBQ

20163 milestones

Apr 1 Peak power rating (1846) Blues Hog BBQ & Music Fest
Jul 22 25th category win Central Illinois BBQ Throwdown (Formerly Morton BBQ Throwdown)
Sep 23 100th tracked contest Murphysboro BBQ Cookoff

20156 milestones

Apr 10 5th Grand Championship CCS Spring Festival & BBQ Competition
May 22 50th tracked contest Red, White and BBQ (Day 1)
May 29 Career-best overall score705.7144 PigMania Lima
Jun 12 Biggest field won (59 teams) Smokin' On The River
Aug 21 5th perfect 180 Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival
Oct 16 10th Grand Championship 10th Annual Lambs Farm Barn Burner Bar-B-Q

20144 milestones

May 3 First Grand Championship Smokin' On The Water
Jun 27 25th tracked contest Sam's Club National BBQ Tour
Aug 22 10th category win Grill Games
Oct 10 First perfect 180 (Pork) The River Grill before the Big Chill

20139 milestones

Apr 5 First tracked contest 1st Annual Parkinson's Smoke Out
Apr 5 First call 1st Annual Parkinson's Smoke Out
Apr 5 First overall top-10 1st Annual Parkinson's Smoke Out
Apr 5 First overall podium 1st Annual Parkinson's Smoke Out
Apr 5 First overall past 90% of a perfect score672.5714 1st Annual Parkinson's Smoke Out
Jun 14 First category win (Chicken) Smokin' on the River
Jun 14 First Reserve Championship Smokin' on the River
Jun 14 First multi-meat day Smokin' on the River
Aug 2 10th tracked contest Sam's Club National BBQ Tour (Regional)

Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)

📈 Biggest rating jumps

Swing	Contest	Date
+14.7	1st Annual Parkinson's Smoke Out	Apr 5, 2013
+14.3	Smokin' on the River	Jun 14, 2013
+13.7	Smokin' on the Water	May 4, 2013
+12.8	Ohio Veterans Barbeque Cook-off	Jul 12, 2013
+11.4	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour	Jun 21, 2013

📉 Toughest weekends

Swing	Contest	Date
-22.5	Taste of Grand Rapids 2014	Jul 25, 2014
-12.3	Masters in May	Apr 29, 2016
-12.2	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Championship	Oct 9, 2015
-11.1	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour	Jul 15, 2016
-8.4	Ohio Veteran Battle of the Barbecue	Sep 27, 2013

Scores over time (% of a perfect score, averaged over 5 contests — tap a meat to add it)

Overall finish over time (top-% of field, lower is better)

Where they finish (overall)

Best vs average (by meat)

How entries end (by meat)

Season by season

Season	Contests	GCs	Top-10s	Category wins	Walk rate	Avg finish	Best overall (% of perfect)	Avg overall (% of perfect)
2018	1	0	0	0	100%	top 35%	92.4%	92.4%
2016	29	2	17	5	76%	top 24%	97.3%	94%
2015	32	6	27	10	97%	top 16%	98%	95%
2014	24	4	20	8	92%	top 20%	97.5%	93.9%
2013	18	0	13	5	94%	top 22%	96.2%	92.8%

Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)

Date	Event	Overall	Chicken	Ribs	Pork	Brisket
Sep 21, 2018	Grilling & Chillin BBQ Owensboro, KY	13 / 37 (665.5656)	18 (163.3944)	8 (167.4056)	16 (167.3828)	14 (167.3828)
Oct 14, 2016	CIBR-BBQ Central Illinois Bragging Right BBQ Authur, IL	13 / 55 (671.9200)	14 (169.6800)	35 (162.2400)	26 (165.7372)	4 (174.2628)
Oct 7, 2016	Pig Mania Marion Marion, OH	1 / 26 (699.9656)	4 (176.5828)	1 (178.8572)	8 (170.8228)	5 (173.7028)
Sep 30, 2016	Jim Beam BBQ Classic Springfield, KY	9 / 43 (686.1828)	25 (168.5256)	9 (173.1200)	16 (168.5372)	4 (176)
Sep 23, 2016	Murphysboro BBQ Cookoff Murphysboro, IL	27 / 64 (673.5540)	35 (167.3828)	24 (167.3828)	26 (169.6800)	23 (169.1084)
Sep 16, 2016	Bands & BBQ at the Point Carrollton, KY	3 / 31 (698.8116)	2 (178.8572)	10 (169.6916)	12 (170.8228)	2 (179.4400)
Sep 9, 2016	Balloons, Blues & BBQ Bloomington, IN	7 / 20 (670.1940)	7 (171.4056)	15 (162.8344)	14 (162.8112)	3 (173.1428)
Aug 26, 2016	Grill Games Kenosha, WI	3 / 37 (675.3940)	1 (177.7028)	3 (172.5828)	20 (159.4056)	9 (165.7028)
Aug 19, 2016	Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festisval Madison, IN	24 / 63 (673.0284)	29 (169.6684)	17 (171.9772)	46 (159.3828)	17 (172)
Aug 12, 2016	Smokin' In McMinnville McMinnville, TN	3 / 32 (697.0856)	16 (171.4056)	8 (173.7144)	13 (171.9656)	2 (180)
Jul 29, 2016	Blues.Brews & Barbecue Birch Run, MI	13 / 39 (660.4572)	23 (158.2056)	2 (173.1544)	16 (163.3828)	7 (165.7144)
Jul 22, 2016	Central Illinois BBQ Throwdown (Formerly Morton BBQ Throwdown) Peoria, IL	1 / 37 (694.2056)	1 (177.7028)	3 (170.2744)	8 (169.6684)	1 (176.5600)
Jul 15, 2016	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour South Bend, IN	17 / 28 (650.2172)	12 (167.3828)	15 (161.1200)	18 (161.6800)	20 (160.0344)
Jul 8, 2016	Ohio Veterans Barbecue Cook-Off Kettering, OH	4 / 34 (688.4912)	5 (174.2628)	16 (170.2628)	18 (169.1200)	3 (174.8456)
Jun 24, 2016	Smoke on the Square: In memory of David Harness Franklin, IN	11 / 31 (683.9200)	9 (172.5600)	7 (173.1316)	13 (170.8112)	13 (167.4172)
Jun 17, 2016	Almost Heaven BBQ Bash Buckhannon, WV	10 / 42 (677.6344)	26 (168.5372)	16 (167.4400)	14 (169.6800)	11 (171.9772)
Jun 3, 2016	Up In smoke on the Square Lincoln, IL	3 / 52 (677.7032)	2 (176.5716)	26 (161.6916)	26 (162.8456)	2 (176.5944)
May 28, 2016	Red, White & BBQ (Day 2) Westmont, IL	4 / 55 (682.2744)	5 (176.5828)	37 (159.9772)	15 (170.2744)	1 (175.4400)
May 27, 2016	Red, White & BBQ (Day 1) Westmont, IL	6 / 42 (671.3596)	10 (170.8112)	32 (158.8572)	9 (168.5484)	5 (173.1428)
May 20, 2016	Smokin' for Garrett Boonville, IN	9 / 35 (679.3940)	6 (174.8456)	12 (167.4400)	10 (170.8456)	18 (166.2628)
May 13, 2016	Rockin BBQ Warsaw, IN	8 / 28 (672.4912)	12 (167.9656)	21 (161.1544)	2 (175.4056)	9 (167.9656)
May 6, 2016	Route 66 Smoke Out Dwight, IL	11 / 40 (669.5888)	25 (159.3600)	15 (167.9888)	15 (169.1200)	2 (173.1200)
Apr 30, 2016	Masters in May- The Classic Appleton, WI	27 / 58 (656.5028)	32 (164.5372)	23 (165.7028)	11 (167.4400)	40 (158.8228)
Apr 29, 2016	Masters in May Appleton, WI	35 / 59 (645.5996)	37 (162.2512)	27 (162.2744)	52 (151.9428)	16 (169.1312)
Apr 22, 2016	CCS Fest: CCS Spring Festival & BBQ Competition Indianapolis, IN	12 / 49 (668.9940)	36 (162.8000)	14 (167.9656)	16 (169.1084)	11 (169.1200)
Apr 15, 2016	Main Street BBQ & Bluesfest Washington, MO	18 / 53 (665.0740)	23 (167.4056)	15 (168.5828)	44 (153.6800)	4 (175.4056)
Apr 1, 2016	Blues Hog BBQ & Music Fest Jackson, TN	8 / 61 (687.8740)	31 (168.5256)	6 (174.2628)	10 (173.1200)	14 (171.9656)
Mar 19, 2016	Tupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 2 Tupelo, MS	2 / 61 (700.5256)	12 (175.4172)	15 (173.1428)	3 (178.8572)	12 (173.1084)
Mar 18, 2016	Tupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 1 Tupelo, MS	38 / 95 (666.7312)	53 (166.8228)	28 (169.1200)	82 (154.7884)	7 (176)
Mar 11, 2016	Smoke on the Shores Nashville, TN	5 / 49 (689.0972)	7 (174.2628)	10 (172)	29 (166.2744)	3 (176.5600)
Dec 11, 2015	King of the Smoker Invitational (JUDGES FULL) unrated La Quinta, CA	15 / 24 (686.8112)	18 (172.5484)	21 (167.9772)	10 (175.4056)	14 (170.8800)
Nov 20, 2015	The National BBQ Cup Cumming, GA	4 / 74 (693.6572)	34 (169.6800)	33 (168.5716)	5 (175.4056)	2 (180)
Nov 13, 2015	Smokin' Up The Saddle Club (GBC Qualifier) Chatsworth, GA	23 / 48 (674.1596)	30 (166.2628)	19 (171.4056)	20 (169.1084)	26 (167.3828)
Nov 3, 2015	World Food Championships Kissimmee, FL	6 / 58 (689.0744)	25 (170.2628)	30 (166.8344)	14 (174.2628)	3 (177.7144)
Oct 23, 2015	Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook off Union Grove, WI	4 / 44 (677.6800)	2 (177.1428)	15 (163.9772)	3 (175.4172)	19 (161.1428)
Oct 16, 2015	10th Annual Lambs Farm Barn Burner Bar-B-Q Libertyville, IL	1 / 35 (689.0400)	3 (173.1200)	2 (171.9772)	15 (166.2400)	2 (177.7028)
Oct 9, 2015	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Championship Bentonville, AR	37 / 50 (685.6344)	44 (168.5372)	2 (178.2972)	40 (169.1316)	36 (169.6684)
Oct 2, 2015	Jim Beam BBQ Classic Springfield, KY	7 / 45 (685.6344)	12 (173.1200)	6 (174.8572)	17 (169.6800)	20 (167.9772)
Sep 25, 2015	Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-Off Murphysboro, IL	9 / 55 (681.0624)	18 (171.4056)	24 (166.2856)	8 (172.5600)	11 (170.8112)
Sep 18, 2015	Marshall County Blazin' BBQ & Bluegrass Plymouth, IN	3 / 27 (691.3944)	2 (174.8572)	2 (174.8572)	7 (173.1200)	14 (168.5600)
Sep 11, 2015	Windy City BBQ Classic Chicago, IL	8 / 61 (681.0396)	25 (165.6684)	5 (176)	8 (171.9656)	16 (167.4056)
Aug 28, 2015	Grill Games Kenosha, WI	3 / 49 (671.9656)	31 (158.8228)	11 (168.5600)	10 (166.2628)	1 (178.3200)
Aug 21, 2015	Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival Madison, IN	5 / 64 (685.6568)	11 (172.5600)	21 (167.9540)	1 (180)	25 (165.1428)
Aug 7, 2015	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour (Regional) Madison, WI	4 / 30 (690.2632)	19 (169.1200)	1 (175.4288)	13 (168.5600)	1 (177.1544)
Jul 31, 2015	Badger Brews & Que Manitowoc, WI	5 / 30 (669.6800)	10 (168.5600)	15 (161.7144)	2 (170.8456)	7 (168.5600)
Jul 24, 2015	5th Annual Morton BBQ Throwdown Morton, IL	2 / 47 (685.1428)	3 (174.2628)	7 (170.2744)	12 (169.1428)	6 (171.4628)
Jul 17, 2015	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Auburn Hills, MI	1 / 28 (693.1656)	1 (180)	4 (171.4628)	1 (177.7144)	13 (163.9884)
Jul 10, 2015	9th Ohio Veterans BBQ Cookoff Kettering, OH	3 / 39 (688.4912)	4 (174.8456)	5 (172)	15 (169.6800)	7 (171.9656)
Jun 26, 2015	Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness Franklin, IN	3 / 34 (689.6456)	6 (172.5484)	7 (167.9772)	10 (170.8228)	2 (178.2972)
Jun 19, 2015	Barbourville BBQ Cook-Off & Festival Barbourville, KY	10 / 25 (685.0284)	17 (168.5256)	10 (171.4056)	8 (171.9772)	5 (173.1200)
Jun 12, 2015	Smokin' On The River Jeffersonville, IN	1 / 59 (695.3716)	3 (175.4172)	22 (167.3944)	5 (174.2628)	2 (178.2972)
Jun 5, 2015	Poor Que Montello, WI	1 / 38 (679.9432)	1 (178.8572)	15 (159.9544)	6 (168.5372)	3 (172.5944)
May 29, 2015	PigMania Lima Lima, OH	1 / 27 (705.7144)	3 (177.7028)	1 (176.5944)	3 (176.5600)	4 (174.8572)
May 23, 2015	Red, White and BBQ (Day 2) Westmont, IL	5 / 58 (678.8912)	4 (176)	5 (169.7028)	30 (165.1200)	11 (168.0684)
May 22, 2015	Red, White and BBQ (Day 1) Westmont, IL	14 / 41 (659.3140)	28 (160.5372)	2 (173.1428)	12 (166.8228)	23 (158.8112)
May 15, 2015	Buckeye State BBQ Championship West Chester, OH	4 / 36 (694.8000)	5 (176)	10 (171.4056)	7 (171.9772)	4 (175.4172)
May 8, 2015	Rockin' BBQ for Riley Warsaw, IN	5 / 27 (677.7600)	12 (162.2628)	2 (173.1772)	5 (174.8572)	11 (167.4628)
May 2, 2015	The Masters In May - The Classic Appleton, WI	5 / 47 (669.0168)	21 (163.3712)	1 (176.5716)	21 (162.8228)	15 (166.2512)
May 1, 2015	The Masters In May Appleton, WI	4 / 57 (670.2056)	14 (166.2400)	11 (166.2744)	7 (168.5484)	9 (169.1428)
Apr 24, 2015	Wabash Ribber Fest Mt. Carmel, IL	8 / 46 (684.5256)	4 (176)	12 (169.7144)	7 (171.4056)	15 (167.4056)
Apr 17, 2015	High on the Hog Festival Winchester, TN	17 / 59 (683.8856)	32 (169.6800)	17 (171.9772)	6 (174.8456)	34 (167.3828)
Apr 10, 2015	CCS Spring Festival & BBQ Competition Indianapolis, IN	1 / 39 (688.5256)	19 (166.8572)	19 (164.5256)	1 (179.4400)	2 (177.7028)
Dec 5, 2014	Calhoun KOA's Calhoun, GA	5 / 38 (696.5144)	21 (170.8228)	17 (169.6916)	5 (176)	3 (180)
Nov 8, 2014	MO Veterans Home BBQ BIVOUAC St. James, MO	8 / 27 (688.5260)	9 (171.9772)	13 (171.4172)	11 (170.8344)	8 (174.2972)
Nov 7, 2014	MO Veterans Home BBQ BIVOUAC St. James, MO	5 / 31 (689.0744)	21 (168.5372)	12 (169.6800)	3 (174.8572)	3 (176)
Oct 17, 2014	9th Annual Lambs Farm Barn Burner Bar-B-Q Libertyville, IL	1 / 42 (700.5140)	2 (176.5828)	5 (170.8228)	1 (180)	3 (173.1084)
Oct 10, 2014	The River Grill before the Big Chill Cincinnati, OH	5 / 49 (693.0744)	20 (169.1200)	16 (170.8344)	1 (180)	10 (173.1200)
Oct 3, 2014	Jim Beam BBQ Classic Springfield, KY	2 / 44 (695.3716)	5 (176.5600)	5 (174.2744)	7 (173.7144)	17 (170.8228)
Sep 26, 2014	Grillin N Chillin BBQ Owensboro, KY	14 / 43 (674.2056)	35 (158.2284)	16 (166.2744)	2 (174.8456)	4 (174.8572)
Sep 19, 2014	Blazin' BBQ & Bluegrass Plymouth, IN	1 / 33 (702.3088)	4 (175.4172)	6 (173.1544)	1 (178.8572)	3 (174.8800)
Sep 12, 2014	Silver Lake Apple BBQ Festival Mears, MI	10 / 43 (675.8856)	11 (170.8572)	12 (169.1200)	14 (168.5372)	16 (167.3712)
Sep 5, 2014	Bands & BBQ at the Point Carrollton, KY	2 / 36 (689.0972)	2 (177.1428)	12 (168.5372)	3 (175.4172)	10 (168)
Aug 22, 2014	Grill Games Kenosha, WI	1 / 47 (694.3200)	6 (170.8572)	2 (176.0344)	1 (177.7028)	10 (169.7256)
Aug 15, 2014	Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival Madison, IN	7 / 60 (678.7656)	12 (170.8344)	8 (172.5828)	6 (173.1200)	30 (162.2284)
Aug 8, 2014	Jimmy's Roadhouse BBQ Championship Newaygo, MI	15 / 32 (661.6912)	27 (157.0856)	4 (171.4628)	2 (174.2628)	23 (158.8800)
Aug 1, 2014	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour (Regional) Madison, WI	13 / 30 (669.1200)	11 (169.7028)	17 (168)	19 (165.1200)	16 (166.2972)
Jul 25, 2014	Taste of Grand Rapids 2014 Grand Rapids, MI	54 / 55 (522.2288)	9 (169.1200)	23 (160.5488)	5 (172.5600)	55 (20)
Jul 11, 2014	8th Annual Ohio Veterans BBQ Cookoff Kettering, OH	7 / 42 (671.3600)	12 (170.2628)	30 (159.3828)	16 (167.4172)	1 (174.2972)
Jul 4, 2014	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Traverse City, MI	7 / 21 (670.7652)	7 (169.1084)	4 (170.8572)	2 (169.6912)	13 (161.1084)
Jun 27, 2014	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Indianapolis, IN	3 / 26 (674.3088)	13 (165.1544)	10 (163.4288)	1 (171.4400)	2 (174.2856)
Jun 20, 2014	6th Annual Auburn Hills Barbecue Cook-Off Auburn Hills, MI	7 / 31 (666.2400)	8 (167.4056)	18 (157.1088)	4 (171.4400)	6 (170.2856)
Jun 13, 2014	Smokin' On The River Jeffersonville, IN	8 / 52 (681.7028)	14 (171.4056)	33 (158.8228)	1 (177.7372)	3 (173.7372)
May 16, 2014	Buckeye State BBQ Championship West Chester, OH	3 / 38 (676.4800)	3 (173.1200)	3 (172.5600)	13 (166.8344)	19 (163.9656)
May 3, 2014	Smokin' On The Water Liberty, IN	1 / 43 (701.7372)	12 (170.2628)	3 (178.2972)	4 (174.8572)	1 (178.3200)
Apr 25, 2014	Wabash Ribberfest Barbecue Championship Mt. Carmel, IL	5 / 50 (678.7884)	17 (166.8228)	23 (163.9656)	2 (176)	12 (172)
Apr 3, 2014	2nd Annual Parkinson's Smoke Out Evansville, IN	6 / 64 (674.1828)	9 (170.8456)	14 (168.5372)	28 (163.9772)	3 (170.8228)
Oct 18, 2013	8th Annual Lambs Farm Barn Burner Bar-B-Q (TEAMS FULL) Libertyville, IL	3 / 54 (660.5600)	6 (167.4628)	14 (163.3828)	9 (162.2400)	5 (167.4744)
Oct 4, 2013	Jim Beam BBQ Classic Springfield, KY	20 / 41 (667.3716)	7 (175.4172)	38 (154.8344)	15 (168.5600)	13 (168.5600)
Sep 27, 2013	Ohio Veteran Battle of the Barbecue Xenia, OH	22 / 35 (651.8400)	8 (169.6800)	20 (162.2400)	24 (161.0856)	27 (158.8344)
Sep 20, 2013	Marshall County Plymouth, IN	8 / 27 (667.3144)	11 (165.1200)	3 (173.1200)	4 (169.6800)	12 (159.3944)
Sep 13, 2013	Silver Lake Apple BBQ Festival Mears, MI	8 / 47 (659.3368)	8 (168.5600)	20 (158.8228)	10 (165.6912)	8 (166.2628)
Aug 23, 2013	Blues, Brews & Barbecues Birch Run, MI	6 / 31 (661.6572)	2 (174.8572)	19 (155.9544)	5 (169.1428)	12 (161.7028)
Aug 16, 2013	Madison Ribberfest: Barbeque & Blues Madison, IN	4 / 60 (678.8228)	17 (166.8344)	16 (166.2628)	3 (174.2628)	8 (171.4628)
Aug 9, 2013	Dam Good BBQ Championship Newaygo, MI	4 / 31 (663.9312)	1 (173.7372)	13 (163.4056)	18 (158.7884)	7 (168)
Aug 2, 2013	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour (Regional) Rockford, IL	12 / 30 (670.7656)	10 (170.2628)	4 (171.9772)	5 (170.8228)	25 (157.7028)
Jul 26, 2013	Morton BBQ Throwdown (TEAMS & JUDGES FULL - May email to be put on waitlist) Morton, IL	5 / 45 (680.5484)	3 (174.8456)	1 (177.1772)	19 (165.6800)	16 (162.8456)
Jul 19, 2013	Wine, Brew & Bar-B-Que Too! New Palestine, IN	28 / 57 (644.9940)	51 (153.6456)	27 (160.5600)	14 (166.2628)	19 (164.5256)
Jul 12, 2013	Ohio Veterans Barbeque Cook-off Kettering, OH	2 / 41 (679.9200)	5 (171.9656)	2 (171.4172)	26 (159.9428)	1 (176.5944)
Jun 28, 2013	Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness Franklin, IN	7 / 32 (667.9996)	4 (172)	4 (174.8572)	15 (164.5712)	20 (156.5712)
Jun 21, 2013	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Indianapolis, IN	4 / 29 (670.2856)	3 (174.8570)	15 (160)	17 (163.4284)	3 (172.0002)
Jun 14, 2013	Smokin' on the River Jeffersonville, IN	2 / 52 (692.5712)	1 (178.8572)	16 (167.4284)	1 (177.1430)	14 (169.1426)
May 17, 2013	Buckeye State BBQ Championship West Chester, OH	12 / 35 (654.8566)	4 (169.1428)	18 (161.1428)	17 (160.5712)	14 (163.9998)
May 4, 2013	Smokin' on the Water Liberty, IN	3 / 37 (679.4286)	9 (165.7144)	3 (173.7144)	5 (171.9998)	10 (168)
Apr 5, 2013	1st Annual Parkinson's Smoke Out Evansville, IN	3 / 50 (672.5714)	5 (172.5714)	11 (167.4286)	5 (170.2858)	19 (162.2856)

An unrated contest — an invitational, or a Competitor or Kosher Series board — is in the record but doesn’t move the power rating.

YELLOW RIVER BBQ

At a glance (the record in numbers)

Power ranking

Rating

Contests

First seen

Best ToY finish

Grand champs

Category wins

Overall top-10s

Best top-10 run

Avg finish

Best overall

Perfect 180s

Current form

Walk rate

Best single call

Consistency

Strongest meat

Road miles

Schedule strength

Master avg

Storylines (19 found in their record)

The heartbreaker

Among the elite

The 180 club

Against the odds

Giant slayer

Happy hunting ground

Multi-meat days

They almost always walk

High-water mark

The one to beat

Their season

A tough matchup

A strong matchup

The comeback

Chicken nemesis

Announced themselves early

Looking over their shoulder

The long haul

A standing appointment

Team of the Year (rank per category by season — the year links to the full board on kcbs.us)

Overall rank by season

Teams like this (closest power rating)

Familiar foes (most-met opponents in overall standings — one meeting per contest)

By meat

By field size and state

By contest size

By state / province (where the contests were held)

Repeat visits (contests they've cooked twice or more)

More numbers

Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)

Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)

📈 Biggest rating jumps

📉 Toughest weekends

Scores over time (% of a perfect score, averaged over 5 contests — tap a meat to add it)

Overall finish over time (top-% of field, lower is better)

Where they finish (overall)

Best vs average (by meat)

How entries end (by meat)

Season by season

Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)

Career map (orange GC · green top-10 · grey the rest — tap a pin)