Five years ago, two warriors rolled into the Washougal National hungry for battle. They were also hungry for hot dogs and a banana. The first-ever Racer X Eating Contest was won by Steve Matthes, a man whose eating prowess is well-known within the pro pits. David Pingree took the loss, not the first time he's left a National feeling like he's had all he could handle. Pingree was stung, and a blood feud began, a blood feud high in sodium.
But the sport has evolved, and Matthes has had to deal with the weight of....um, wearing the number-one plate. Today's teams have changed the game, namely by locking in outside sponsors like Jimmy John's, which can create sandwiches and pickles for regular folks that are just as good as the lunches you'll find in the pro pits.
Pingree and Matthes faced off again, this time within the plush confines of the Racer X offices in Morgantown. The war has moved indoors, but the pressure still builds from the inside out. This is the 2016 Racer X Eating Contest—the rematch.
Watch the first match between Matthes and Ping
[Note: Contest starts at 4:40]
