Joey Chestnut will spend this July 4th weekend back atop Coney Island's hot-dog stage—and on probation. The 17-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest winner quietly pleaded guilty last month to misdemeanor battery tied to a March incident at an Indiana bar, according to court records obtained by US Weekly. The victim told police that Chestnut shook his hand, then hit the left side of his face. Chestnut later told officers he'd been "pretty drunk" and didn't remember the encounter until viewing video of what he described as a slap that "looked like a joke."
An affidavit quoted officers as saying the tape shows Chestnut pulling the man toward him and striking him with an open hand. He was sentenced to 180 days' probation. In a statement, Chestnut's legal team said he "regrets engaging and the interaction being misinterpreted," CBS Sports reports. "He strives to always connect in a fun manner with fans," the legal team said. "In this case, some inappropriate things were said that Joey reacted to. He's committed to avoiding being in those situations going forward."
Chestnut was granted permission to travel outside Indiana during the probation period, meaning he will be at the Fourth of July contest on Coney Island aiming for an 18th title, as long as he stays out of trouble, Fox News reports. Chestnut, who missed the 2024 contest amid a contract dispute, returned in 2025 to down 70.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes—24 more hot dogs than the defending champ but 5.5 short of the record Chestnut set in 2021.
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