Corey Peabody is once again behind the wheel of the U-9 Beacon Plumbing for the 2024 season. Peabody started racing outboard hydroplanes alongside teammate J. Michael Kelly in 1998. Corey became a qualified H1 Unlimited hydroplane driver in 2016, and since then has driven for three different teams.
Peabody joined Strong Racing in 2021 and scored his first career Unlimited win at that season’s HAPO Columbia Cup, in the hometown of owners Darrell and Vanessa Strong. In a thrilling victory at the 2022 Guntersville Lake Hydrofest, he won the prestigious APBA Gold Cup. He was the only driver to post podium finishes in every race of the 2021 season, and won all but one heat he entered during the 2023 season.
The 2023 season saw a clean sweep for Strong Racing when Peabody won in Guntersville and Tri-Cities while teammate Kelly won in Madison and Seattle. Corey set the all-time record for fastest competition lap and fastest overall heat average speed during the Guntersville event.
He currently holds the following records:
- All-Around Records – Fastest Heat Average: 162.910 MPH | Guntersville 2023
- Fastest Heat Average | 2.5 Mile Course: 162.910 MPH | Guntersville 2023
- Course Records – Fastest Competition Lap: 164.597 MPH | Guntersville 2023
- Fastest Heat Average | 7.5 Mile Heat: 162.910 MPH | Guntersville 2023
- Fastest Race Average | 42.5 Mile Race: 141.553 MPH | Guntersville 2022
- Gold Cup Records – Fastest Competition Lap: 149.269 MPH | Seattle 2022
- Fastest Heat Average | 6-Mile Heat: 147.612 MPH | Guntersville 2023
- Fastest Race Average | 42.5 Miles: 141.553 MPH | Guntersville 2022
As part of a team reorganization in late 2022, Peabody also assumed the responsibilities of Team General Manager. Corey is married to wife Stacey and they have two daughters, Ryley and Leighton, and son Rayce.
