Nathan's Qualifiers...let the bracketology begin

MUSTARD LEAK says more than Simon these days:

Likely new cities:

TAMPA BAY: Yes, Florida is giant and I have no idea where Hall lives, but one has to wonder if he is going to "stay home" and gator this qualifier. Jammin Joe is traveling with his company and may end up in Georgia (hello Atlanta qualifier) or North Carolina. I think this is one that (like Biloxi) that is going to be sparse in traveling top-ranked eaters.

DENVER: The miles of high hot dog city. Will we see the return of Mongo? Busta Nut? The Skinny Fellow? Will any of them be allowed to compete or will this be a conveniant stomping ground for west coast eaters? If its early in the schedule I can see Erik the Red, Boss Ross, and Consumption eyeing (and stomaching) this nugget.

ALLENTOWN: The Philly spillover is a well documented scenario in qualifying land. I don't see HBob straying from the Liberty Bell qualifier (he's stubborn like that), but will this be this year's Pittsburgh. Mass exodus to this location, a Wing Kong/Steakbellie rock-sissors-paper handtoss to see who gets to attend, and then a crushing defeat at the nimble hands of The Lovely. All I know about Allentown is from Billy Joel and that the former FHM editor-in-chief says the greatest peeler joint is there - Irv's BYO. Whoever goes, please say hello to Irv.

BILOXI - Chances are Nola is probably not on the qualifying map this year, leaving new Ole Miss as a surgical station for everybody's favorite doctor. Paging Dr. Bigtime to Biloxi? Will we hear that on the intecom? Yes, there is probably no bottle service in Bilox, but if Bigtime keeps his residency in the 28 dog range that should be enough. That is unless, Wham Bam Van Dam decides to mosey on down. Also, you've got to figure in The Gravy Train. Hopefully The Christmas Crooner plans better than past years (he always seems to eat against 35 - 50 hdb'ers and he's no slouch). I want to stay as far away from Gravy as possible so I'd support a pay-for-view of Doctor Ego fights Gravy in "The Battle in Biloxi".

Can we expect other new qualifiers? What about our old favorites? Clearly Shea Stadium is no more, but a parking lot away is hot dog Citi. Will Chitown hold steady for a hot time? Is Denmark more of an X factor than X (why won't The Red just wait until Daly City?). Noone knows what lurks in the stomach of man....except MUSTARD LEAK!

It's a deal i will meet you in Denver. I cant win on my home turf  so i might as well give it a shot in rocky mountain high

Sounds great.  My grams lives in Fort Collins so win or lose I am sure she'll make us both some apple brown betty for desert. But keep your hands off her Mr. Beautiful, she's faithful to my gampee, now dead.  God rest his soul, the old coot lived to be 85 yrs old and was blue pilling it toward the end there.  Said cialis was the best medicine ever invented, after four roses whiskey that is.  Me versus Mr. Beautiful in a high altitude low attitude hot dog competition.

Quim be jamming to the Samples on the ipod dock and busting out the double xl Marmot fleece.

TODAY IS THE DAY I BOOK DOWN Tampa, Denver and something in NYC area since I got a free RT on Delta.

Manimal,

Head to Nathan's Famous now and the three qualifying options are up. I think it was just a false summit of registration to build excitement. Also, one can register for Coney Island as an option. Saves the heartache and heartburn of the qualifiers. I believe that too is a mistake, but give it a whirl if you want. I bet Hollow Hal Schimmel will be at Coney because he made it all three of his options.

CLC

I'm gonna end up winning Denver and my Grams will make me a celebration cake and then I will be drop kicking manimal and crazy legs and all you other punk ass punks in Coney Isle baby.  BRING IT.

Quim be 'bout to watch Gossip Girl on dvr suckas

Any predictions for this weekend's qualifier? I think CLC will take Biloxi with 24 1/2.

Thanks Mike.  I pumped for this weekend.  Now I know to ask foor more cups.  Thank you

Just got home from Biloxi.  That was my first real contest, and it was a blast.  Crazy Legs was awesome.  I'm competing in Tampa on the 30th also, so I'm hoping to really improve my number.  I had my wife video the whole thing and I saw some technique issues I have, so I'm hoping to fix them fast.

Anythoughts on Boston? It would be cool if a local guy like Pete could win it.