NASCAR Cooks! contest: The eight semifinalists ...

One thing most NASCAR fans are proud to admit is they know food. And, they know exactly what beverage to pair with food regardless if it is happy hour or the crack of dawn.

So, for the kings and queens of the kitchen or grill who have worked diligently perfecting that one dish they are most proud to call their own, thank you for sharing.

Every tailgater knows the best way to a great tasting chili recipe is to add beer -- microbrewed or the stuff you only drank in college -- whatever your taste buds prefer, but most agree that beer is the key ingredient to lip smacking, going-back-for-seconds, chili.

There a couple of preparation options we found to be challenging. The preparation of one's favorite dish can either be time consuming or extremely efficient. The old fashion "chuck-wagon" method is ideal for the tailgater who is wearing two hats -- head chef and corn hole tournament coordinator.

For those of you who haven't heard of "chuck-wagon," it refers to tearing off a large square of tin foil, tossing all the stuff you love to eat onto the tin foil, then folding over the tin foil to seal in all that good stuff and finally toss the entire packet on the grill until you think its cooked.

Note: Try to avoid black smoke if you've never tried this method.

We also must remember the evolution of our preferred cooking surface. We've aged well since the days of the Bunson burner we were tasked to use back in grade school while at camp. (You know what I'm talking about -- the used coffee can turned upside down with holes poked in it. ... Yeah, I didn't eat my burger that I cooked on it either. Luckily, I packed my Easy Bake Oven for that trip. )

Let's review the rules and judging -- submit your best race day recipe and the judges will select the eight recipes that taste the best.

The eight semifinalists in the inaurugal NASCAR Cooks! Race Day Recipe Contest:

Hot Lap Jalapenos
Recipe submitted by Nancy Busch from Ukiah, Calif.

Big Daddy's Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Recipe submitted by Robert Brown from Branson, Mo.

Cecchini Checkered Flag Chili
Recipe submitted by Michelle Cecchini from Ormond Beach, Fla.

Caution Wrap Burgers
Recipe submitted by Cyndie Frederick from Sebring, Fla.

Tubbs Tailgater's Fruit Kebob's
Recipe submitted by Sherry Tubbs from Princeton, La.

The Ultimate Inside Out Burger
Recipe Submitted by Alexis DiOrrio from Middletown, Del.

Melt in your mouth like cheap tennis shoes to a road in summertime in Talladega, Grilled Salmon
Recipe Submitted by Janet L. Strader from Riner, Va.

Speedway Cheese Balls
Recipe Submitted by Kae O'Brien from Spokane, Wash.

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