 Major League Eating co-founder George Shea says he's expecting a tight competition this time around. Since 16-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest champion Joey Chestnut is sitting out this year due to an endorsement conflict. You know, when Joey's eating 76 and the other eaters are eating 50-something, there's no question about who won. There really will be in this case, and we have to be very careful.