Clark Crew BBQ from Yukon, Okla., claimed the title of Grand Champion at the 31st Annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Tenn.

As Grand Champion, Clark Crew BBQ earned $25,000, braggin’ rights as winner of what many consider to be the most prestigious barbecue contest in the world, and the chance to defend its title next year in 2020.

“World Champions – pretty dang cool,” said Pitmaster Travis Clark.  “Just proud of my team, that’s about all I can say.  There are a lot of people that play a part in what we do, and we are so appreciative of all of them.  What a way to end the year!  Now we have to get the doors open on our new restaurant!”

Clark Crew BBQ, a team led by Travis and Kimberly Clark, began competing in barbecue events in 2013 and has amassed over 650 top-10 awards including the overall title at the 2017 American Royal World Series of Barbecue®.  Travis Clark credits that type of fierce competition while cooking on some of the biggest stages as the reason his team strives to perfect their craft at every event they compete in across the country.

To compete in The Jack™, domestic teams must win a state championship with at least 25 teams or a competition of 50 teams or win one of the premiere barbecue competitions in the U.S.—Memphis in May, American Royal Open or Houston World’s Championship Bar-B-Que—which qualifies a team for an automatic berth. At The Jack, each team competes in seven categories – Pork Ribs, Pork Shoulder/Butts, Beef Brisket, Chicken, Dessert, Cook’s Choice, and Jack Daniel’s Sauce.

A combined 99 domestic and international teams from countries including Austria, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom convened in Lynchburg to compete for the coveted Grand Champion title. 

“It’s always exciting to see each team’s passion and dedication at the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. They live and breathe barbeque,” said Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Jeff Arnett.  “It’s great to see the competition getting hotter every year, yet the friendly atmosphere remains.  We want to congratulate Clark Crew BBQ on winning the title of Grand Champion—that’s an incredible feat.” 

Shake ’n Bake BBQ of New Haven, MO, was named the Reserve Grand Champion, taking home the second-place cash prize of $10,00.  The Top 10 finishers were as follows:  

1 Clark Crew BBQ (Yukon, OK)

2 Shake 'n Bake BBQ (New Haven, MO)

3 Redneck Scientific (Clayton, NC)

4 T Mac Smokin (Sturgeon Bay, WI)

5 Bunch of Swines (United Kingdom)

6 Timbone Barbeque (Dakota City, NE)

7 Burnin and Lootin (Corona, CA)

8 Rio Valley Meat BBQ (Weslaco, TX)

9 Boomerang BBQ (Wolfforth, TX)

10 Smokin' Gringo's (Moncks Corner, SC)

Follow @JackDanielsBBQ or use #TheJack for the latest updates. For more information, photos, and results, visit www.jackdanielsbarbecuemedia.com. 

About Jack Daniel’s

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.  Your friends at Jack Daniel’s remind you to drink responsibly.

JACK DANIEL'S and OLD NO. 7 are registered trademarks. © 2015 Jack Daniel's. Tennessee Whiskey Alcohol 40% by Volume (80 proof). Distilled and Bottled by JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY, Lynchburg, Tennessee.