Dennis,
Being from the old school, we have used molasses in some of our sauces, particularly if the sauce is going to be cooked for an hour or more to thicken it up. Black strap, lasses, molasses, sorghum all similar from different parts of the country, blends well with both mustard or tomato based sauces.
I have been told that molasses, due to its chemical makeup, is the perfect sugar to use when baking beans - something about keeping the beans whole and separated after they are done. I have no proof of this, but it sure gives the beans a good flavor.
smokemullet