He set the American record for hot dog eating, and is supposed to be a legit challenger to Kobayashi in the Nathan's July 4th competition...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2450250
I remember seeing him last July 4th in the Nathan's competition, where he finished in third, I think, and the announcers were raving about him being an up-and-comer who announced his presence on the national stage with authority...
And I couldn't help but think, "Joey Chestnut" is the perfect name of a professional hot dog eater.