Crazy Legs Conti Talks Krystal Before The KSO VI Nashville Qualifier

Crazy Legs Conti shares his strategy for the KSO VI Qualifiers and hopes he has what it takes to make it back to the Final Table this year.

If we learned anything from the Q&A below with “Crazy Legs” Conti, it’s that he’s got a passion for two things: Krystal Burgers and everything Southern. Conti also talked about the new Krystal Square Off rules, preparations for the Nashville and Knoxville Qualifiers, the power of KSO’s yellow “Future Champion” t-shirt and much more. Check out the details below…

How has your training been for this year’s Krystal Square Off? Trying out any new techniques?

Training? What training? I’m a foolish Northerner that chooses to live outside Krystal country. My love of the Southern slider and Southern women is well documented. If I had any sense at all, I’d move to New Orleans to be in Krystal country. Harold and Kumar must have been high…if they had been thinking straight; they would have gone to a Krystal. I didn’t even compete in Krystal Square Off I because all the big talking Northern eaters headed South and lost to Southerners weaned on Krystal. I was scared. I admit it. I’m not anymore. I’ve learned to embrace the Krystal as a pro-eater and as a casual diner. I know you’ll have plenty of Krystal Blitzes standing by, but can I get a Milkquake for dessert?

Who do you think the new rules give an advantage to?

Super Paul Bonebreaker Barlow. He has been trying for years to get past his personal best of 24. This year he ate five Big Angus burgers in eight minutes and got to 25 points. The man shattered his personal best. I wish I could have been there.

What is your goal for this year’s KSO VI?

Same as every year – simply make the final table. Last year, I only made it to the finals due to the generosity of Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas. This year for me is going to be even tougher. I have been watching “Breaking Away” every night in preparation.

You’ve seen the Krystal Square Off grow from taking place in a mall parking lot in front of a few hundred people to drawing more than 10,000 spectators to downtown Chattanooga and a live TV audience. What do you attribute the KSO’s success to?

I am fortunate to have eight years of pro-eating perspective. I’ve seen sponsors come and go. A sponsor that is in it for the long game is always going to come out ahead. Longevity, increased prize money, and endearing oneself to the eaters always lead to success. Krystal does too much for the eaters…the rock star treatment we get whether we are eating in just one qualifier or the final is wonderful. The gear is cool. The Hall of Fame is cool. I’m wearing a Krystal hat and Krystal watch right now because year round I am thankful for the opportunity to compete in the hamburger circuit. The most fun is interacting with fans, signing stuff, and talking Krystal. But if I had to attribute the Square Off success to just one thing it would be the yellow shirt that reads “Future Champion”. A generation of Krystal Champions is coming…

You’re set to compete in two qualifiers this weekend. What’s your thinking behind that other than getting to eat more Krystals?

This is the Krystal Square Off Blog so I figure this where Krystal lovers and true MLE insiders come for the truth. I’ll give you my thought process as I am prepping for Nashville on Saturday and Knoxville on Sunday.  My best shot at making the finals is Saturday in Nashville. Gravy Brown, Buffalo Jim Reeves and I are pretty evenly matched. If Krystal ever goes Pay-for-View, I’d lay down $33 bucks to see that match-up. If I lose Saturday, I’ll be crying in Wild Bill’s back seat the whole ride from Nashville to Knoxville. My road to the finals on Sunday is a lot tougher. Look at the Sunday table in Knoxville. Eater X is winning with a high number, leaving one wild card spot (assuming Eric The Red’s 55 holds up). Wing Kong is trying to avenge his cheesesteak injustice against Juliet Lee. Juliet Lee is trying to silence the debris critics and put up a personal best. Denmark might fly redeye and show up if Nashville numbers are not to his liking. Nasty Nate could be a wild card spoiler. Wild Bill will get a PB, but be exhausted from driving a million miles. That’s a stacked table. Eight minutes of agony leading to a winner and two wild card spots. Everyone eating for the glory of making the finals! Think of the Knoxville fans trying to do the math in their heads. Think of poor Kenny Hammontree trying to make sure every bite, chew, and swallow is legal. Think of the MLE MC urging the crowd on. Think of me, channeling Dennis Christopher’s Dave in “Breaking Away”. The closing seconds of the Knoxville qualifier is going to a moment that every athlete strives to be a part of. I guarantee a bun buzzer beater. No matter what happens it’s going to be an awesome moment in Krystal history.

How would you handicap this year’s championship?

I can tell you right now exactly what is going to happen. It’s not going to matter who wins. It’s not going to matter who splits the $50,000 in prize money. What is going to matter is that the banks of the Chattanooga River will be overflowing with joy…and Krystal Blitz.