Hot Dog Eating record Smashed!

Fans of competitive eating will be happy to know that there's a new king in town. Fox News is reporting that a 22-year old Californian named Joe Chestnut obliterated the hot dog eating record previously set by Japanese whiz kid Takeru Kobayashi. (Not to be too jingoistic, but just hearing that makes me want to shout USA, USA!) Apparently, Chestnut scarfed his way to first place by downing an incredible 59.5 HDB's (hot dogs and buns) in this weekend's Southwest Regional Hot Dog Eating Championship. The previous record had been 53.75 dogs, set at Nathan's Famous 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. And while some might argue that Chestnut is only competing for the love of the sport, he did get some perks out of placing: not only did he win a trip to New York, and a year's supply of hot dogs, but he also won a $250 gift card to a local mall. Not bad for 12 minutes of work. Click here to read more.