Although Joey Chestnut won’t be competing in Coney Island this year on the 4th of July, the decorated hot dog eater will still be competing in his sport.
Chestnut was recently sidelined from this year’s annual Nathan’s hot dog eating contest due to a sponsorship conflict.
However, Jaws won’t be rusty this Independence Day as he heads to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas to compete in a 5-minute hot dog eating contest against American soldiers.
In a telephone interview with the Associated Press, Chestnut said he is not going to sit at home and do nothing. He also revealed his fear of being ‘lazy’ in competition with amateurs.
“If they (each) get 10, that would be pretty good,” Chestnut said Thursday as he fasted on water, lemon juice and liquid calories as part of his pre-match routine.
Joey Chestnut revealed his plans for July 4 after being sidelined at Nathan
Chestnut will compete against U.S. Army soldiers at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas
Chestnut has been competing against the world’s best competitive eaters at Nathan’s since 2005 and hasn’t lost since 2015. In 2021, the Indiana native set the current record of 76 hot dogs, in 10 minutes.
Unfortunately, a partnership with a competing hot dog brand meant Chestnut was absent from the event he has come to hold so dear.
Chestnut’s deal with vegetarian frank maker Impossible Foods will prevent him from winning a record 17th title at Coney Island. The problem, organizers told the New York Post, is Chestnut’s insistence that he promote the rival hot dog.
Chestnut, who has been attending the festivities for nearly two decades, admits he will miss the atmosphere in Brooklyn this year.
“Those people have been sitting in the sun, waiting,” Chestnut said. ‘They know what to expect. And they are not shocked. They’re cheering and shouting and pushing me.’
Chestnut will skip the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition due to a sponsorship conflict
Nevertheless, Chestnut will be in Texas competing in front of 15,000 people at the “Pop Goes the Fort” celebration. According to Fort Bliss Morale Welfare and Recreation spokesperson Marlo Brestar, the event will include fireworks and performances by the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and the 1st Armored Division Band.
Chestnut also told the AP that he will do a practice run Friday and take oils to “make sure the highway is clear and there’s no congestion” in his digestive system before heading to the 1st Armored Division’s home base.
“Maybe I’ll get in a tank,” he said of his first trip to El Paso.
Chestnut will also battle rival Takeru Kobayashi on Netflix in September.
Chestnut won his 16th Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest last July 4 at Coney Island
Chestnut is welcome to return to the annual competition when his conflicting sponsorship ends
He remains hopeful, however, that he will be able to compete again next year on July 4, either with Netflix or the Nathan’s Famous contest. However, if he wants to compete again in the Coney Island event, he will have to make amends with the event’s organizers, Major League Eating.
“I feel bullied,” Chestnut said. “If I ever want to work with them again, they’re going to have to apologize,” Chestnut said.
According to a statement from spokesman George Shea, Major League Eating eventually admitted there was a problem with the sponsorship.
“Unfortunately, this was not enough to reach an agreement,” the statement said. “We feel this is a powerful tribute to our armed forces and we wish Joey the best of luck at his event.”
