Joey Chestnut engulfed 62 hot dogs and buns to win the 2011 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on Monday. It was a huge coup for Nathans and the Major League Eating folks. And for Joey Chestnut as well.
Chestnut earned $10,000 for winning the contest, which comes out to $161.29 per hot dog.
Joey did fail to break his own record of 68 hot dogs and buns, set in 2009. However, word is that Takeru Kobayashi, banned from participating in the official contest, ate 69 hot dogs and buns in ten minutes. If true, it not only beat Chestnut but also his world record.
Kobayashi gets no cut of the sweet, sweet prize money. He'll just have to settle for a free trip to Mexico and all the Jose Cuervo he can drink.
Of course, the next step is clear. Whatever it takes, someone needs to get Kobayashi, Chestnut and 140 hot dogs together in one room so they can settle this once and for all. Until then, we truly are a nation, nay, a world, divided.