Double the fun at I-35 Speedway this weekend with two days of the fragrant aroma filling your nostrils with the tantalizing smell of barbeque on the smokers as the Kansas City Barbeque Society masters tackle the 6th Annual Smokin’ Trackside BBQ Contest.

Normally a racetrack will include the smell of spent racing fuel, but at I-35 Speedway once a year the aroma changes to one which makes you hungry, the smell of mouthwatering meat (chicken, ribs, pork and brisket) smoking. Barbeque and racing... How American is that?

Friday night from the barbeque side of the action includes the tantalizing, always tasty People’s Choice Chicken Wing Barbeque contest. Contestants smoke those chicken wings with their special blends of spices and rubs in competition to be the People’s Choice Winner! Yes, for a nominal fee you get to try the wings and vote for your favorite chicken wing.

On Saturday the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series featuring USRA Modifieds, Medieval USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods take the spotlight with Sport Compacts, Pure Stocks, E Mods, Vintage Racers and Limited Late Models joining the fun.

Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. Saturday and the grandstand entry is $15 for adults or $12 for seniors. Those 18 years and younger are free. Pit gates open at 4:30 and pit passes are $35. Hot laps are 6:20 with tacing at 7.

The Smokin’ Trackside BBQ Bash is a KCBS Missouri State Championship points event and a qualifying event for the American Royal World Series of Barbeque, held at Kansas Speedway on September 16-19, and the Jack Daniels World Invitational on October 8-9—two of barbecue's majors later in the year.

In 2020, Piggin Whiskey O.G. earned the Grand Champion Award. All four top teams had scores above 700. High I Que earned the Reserve Grand Champion, Heavy Smoke BBQ, claimed third place and Slaps BBQ was fourth. Piggin Whiskey O.G. was first in Chicken. Meat Rushmore BBQ prepared the first-place ribs and scored a 180.00. Awesome Racks Cooking Crew earned the top prize in Pork. Love 2 Que also scored a 180.0000 in brisket taking first place over Slaps BBQ. Irwin’s Pit Crew BBQ won the Beans ancillary cookoff. The ancillary dessert challenge provided a 180.00 score for the Halos and Hogs cheesecake dessert which numerous tasters were raving about.

Know anyone interested in competing in Smokin’ Trackside BBQ Bash, contact contest organizer Kyle Johnson by calling 816-365-7593 or email vettsb@aol.com.