Since he began competing in BBQ competitions in 1996 Myron Mixon has won more than 200 BBQ grand championships and 1,800 BBQ trophies. His team "Jack's Old South" has won the Memphis in May Grand Champion title 4 times and the Big Pig Jig Competition in Vienna five times.   He is know as the "winningest man in barbecue."

• For the marinade: 
• 1 liter ginger ale 
• 1 quart orange juice 
• 1¼ cups soy sauce 
• 2 cups salt 
• 2 1- ounce packets dry ranch dressing mix 

• For the rub: 
• 1 cup (packed) light brown sugar 
• 2 tablespoons chili powder 
• 2 tablespoons dry mustard 
• 2 tablespoons onion powder 
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder 
• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper 
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt 
• 2 tablespoons coarsely ground 
• black pepper 

• For the spritz: 
• 3 cups apple juice 
• 2 cups white wine vinegar 
• 2 tablespoons liquid imitation butter 

• For the ribs: 
• 4 racks baby back ribs 
• 1 recipe Rib Marinade 
• 3 cups Jack's Old South Original Rub, or 1 recipe Basic Barbecue Rub (recipe follows) 
• 1 recipe Rib Spritz 
• 1 cup apple juice 
• 1 recipe Hog Glaze 

For the marinade: 

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Stir well to thoroughly  incorporate.  Pour into a large bottle or other container and store,  refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks. 

For the rub: 

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients thoroughly. You can store this rub in an airtight container indefinitely. 

For the spritz: 

In a large spray bottle (one that will hold at least 5 cups of liquid), combine all the ingredients. Shake well to blend.

For the ribs: 

One at a time, place the racks on a cutting board, bone side up, and  remove the membrane (or "silver"): At whichever end of the rack seems  easier, work your fingers underneath the membrane until you have 2 to 3  inches cleared. Grab the membrane with a towel and gently but firmly  pull it away from the ribs. Pulling off the membrane exposes loose fat  that will need trimming, so take your knife and cut out any excess fat.  

Now the racks are ready. 

Set the racks in an aluminum baking pan and cover them completely with  the rib marinade. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and let it sit for 4  hours, either in the refrigerator or, if you're at a contest or in a  picnic situation, in a cooler packed with ice. 

When you are ready to cook them, remove the ribs from the marinade. Pat  them dry with towels. Apply the rub lightly around the edges of the  ribs, over the back side of them, and on top. Then let the ribs sit,  uncovered, at room temperature for 30 minutes. 

In the meantime, heat a smoker to 250°F. 

Put the ribs in a baking pan, put the pan in the smoker, and cook for 2  hours. After the first 30 minutes of cooking, spritz the ribs. Continue  to spritz at 15- minute intervals for the duration of the cooking time.  (The ribs should be uncovered so they can absorb as much smoke as  possible.) 

Remove the pan from the smoker. Pour the apple juice into a clean aluminum baking pan. 

Place the ribs in the pan, bone side down, and cover the pan with  aluminum foil. Place the pan in the smoker and cook for 1 hour. 

Remove the pan from the smoker and shut off the heat on the smoker.  Remove the foil, and apply the glaze to the top and bottom of the slabs  of ribs. Re- cover the pan with foil, return it to the smoker, and let  the ribs rest in the smoker for 30 minutes as the temperature gradually  decreases. 

Remove the ribs from the pan and let them rest for 10 minutes on a wooden cutting board. Then cut and serve.