Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Calif. broke his own world record last year by eating 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes. He seeks his 8th straight title in 2014.

California has much to be proud of when it comes to summer and hot dogs. Millions of us will eat wieners during our holiday barbecues and picnics, or stop by a favorite gourmet hot dog stand for a pick me up. Either way, there's still time to practice your hot dog eating skills before the qualifier at Sonoma Raceway the June 22, 2014, but you must sign up online to compete (nathansfamous.com). Those who win regional competitions throughout the U.S. earn spots in the July 4 grand championship at Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York.

HOT DOG INFO TO CHEW ON:

• National Hot Dog Day is July 23.
• German immigrants brought frankfurters to America over 100 years ago and started selling them on the cheap at amusement centers like Coney Island, arguably the epicenter for American hot dog consumption.
• California is where Pink's Hot Dogs was born. It has been a fixture in Hollywood since 1939.
• Most hot dogs have nitrates, even those labeled ‘natural'.
• In independent taste tests Nathan's Beef Franks with Natural Casings was chosen as best tasting. Sabrett, Applegate Organic, Boar's Head, Hebrew National and Oscar Meyer Premium Beef followed.