J. MICHAEL KELLY
Michael Kelly piloted the U-1 Beacon Electric for the Strong Racing team in 2024, having garnered his second National Championship but first “U-1” hull designation in 2023. Kelly holds 26 World Records in various classes, has won 14 National Championships, is a 10-time APBA Hall of Champions inductee, a 17-time H1 Unlimited race winner, and 2-time APBA Gold Cup winner.
Kelly scored his first H1 Unlimited hydroplane win at the 2009 inaugural U.I.M. World Championship Oryx Cup in Doha, Qatar. With two race wins in 2021 (Guntersville and San Diego), Kelly picked up his first Driver’s High Points Championship and claimed that title again in 2023 while also securing the Team National Championship. His 21-year career makes him one of the most seasoned drivers on the circuit.
Kelly’s ride for 2024 is the former Ellstrom U-16/96 hull that was new in 2014. The hull was purchased by Darrell and Vanessa Strong in 2020 and underwent substantial modifications during the 2023 off-season preparing for the 2024 campaign.
When not racing Kelly is a lead carpenter in the Pacific Northwest. A graduate of Kent Meridian High School in Kent, WA, Kelly lives in Bonney Lake, WA, with his wife Angela and sons Brennen, Carson, and Asher.
DRIVER STATS
ALL H1 UNLIMITED RESULTS
| YEAR | EVENT NAME | FINISH | U# | BOAT NAME | OWNER |
| 2023 | APBA Gold Cup | 1st | U-8 | Beacon Electric | Strong Racing |
| 2023 | Columbia Cup | 3rd | U-8 | Beacon Electric | Strong Racing |
| 2023 | Madison Regatta | 1st | U-8 | Beacon Electric | Strong Racing |
| 2023 | Guntersville Hydrofest | 4th | U-8 | Beacon Electric | Strong Racing |
| 2023 | Pre-Season Testing | TEST | U-8 | Beacon Electric | Strong Racing |
| 2022 | HomeStreet Bank Bayfair | 2nd | U-9 | Miss Tri-Cities | Strong Racing |
| 2022 | HomeStreet Bank Cup | 1st | U-9 | Boitano Homes | Strong Racing |
| 2022 | HAPO Columbia Cup | 2nd | U-9 | LYNX Healthcare Presents Miss Tri-Cities | Strong Racing |
| 2022 | Madison Regatta | 4th | U-8 | Miss Tri-Cities | Strong Racing |
| 2022 | APBA Gold Cup | 4th | U-8 | Miss Tri-Cities | Strong Racing |
| 2021 | San Diego Bayfair | 1st | U-8 | Payne West Insurance presents Miss Tri-Cities | Strong Racing |
| 2021 | HAPO Columbia Cup | 2nd | U-8 | Payne West Insurance presents Miss Tri-Cities | Strong Racing |
| 2021 | Madison Regatta APBA Gold Cup | 6th | U-8 | Miss Tri-Cities | Strong Racing |
| 2021 | Guntersville Lake Hydrofest | 1st | U-8 | Miss Tri-Cities | Strong Racing |
| 2021 | Pre-Season Testing | TEST | U-8 | Miss Tri-Cities | Strong Racing |
| 2019 | HomeStreet Bank Bayfair | 1st | U-12 | Graham Trucking | Rob Graham |
| 2019 | HomeStreet Bank Cup | 1st | U-12 | Graham Trucking | Rob Graham |
| 2019 | HAPO Columbia Cup | 1st | U-12 | Graham Trucking | Rob Graham |
| 2019 | Madison Regatta APBA Gold Cup | 3rd | U-12 | Graham Trucking | Rob Graham |
| 2019 | Guntersville Lake Hydrofest | 2nd | U-12 | Graham Trucking | Graham Trucking |
| 2019 | Pre-Season Testing | TEST | U-12 | Graham Trucking (5) | Graham Trucking |
| 2018 | Albert Lee Appliance Cup | 2nd | U-12 | Graham Trucking (5) | Graham Trucking |
| 2018 | HAPO Columbia Cup | 3rd | U-12 | Graham Trucking (5) | Graham Trucking |
| 2017 | HomeStreet Bank Bayfair | 2nd | U-12 | Graham Trucking (5) | Graham Trucking |
| 2017 | APBA Gold Cup | 4th | U-12 | Graham Trucking (5) | Graham Trucking |
| 2017 | President’s Cup | 2nd | U-12 | Graham Trucking (5) | Graham Trucking |
| 2017 | Albert Lee Appliance Seafair Cup | 2nd | U-12 | Graham Trucking (5) | Graham Trucking |
| 2017 | HAPO Columbia Cup | 1st | U-12 | Graham Trucking (5) | Graham Trucking |
| 2016 | HomeStreet Bank San Diego Bayfair | 3rd | U-5 | Graham Trucking (5) | Team Porter Racing |
| 2016 | UAW/GM Hydrofest APBA Gold Cup | 1st | U-5 | Graham Trucking (5) | Team Porter Racing |
| 2016 | Albert Lee Appliance Seafair Cup | 5th | U-5 | Graham Trucking (5) | Team Porter Racing |
| 2016 | HAPO Columbia Cup | 2nd | U-5 | Graham Trucking (5) | Team Porter Racing |
| 2016 | MainSource Bank Madison Regatta | 2nd | U-5 | Graham Trucking (5) | Team Porter Racing |
| 2016 | Pre-Season Testing | TEST | U-5 | Graham Trucking (5) | Team Porter Racing |
| 2015 | San Diego Bayfair | 4th | U-5 | Graham Trucking (6) | Porter Racing |
| 2015 | Spirit of Detroit Hydrofest | 2nd | U-5 | Graham Trucking (6) | Porter Racing |
| 2015 | Albert Lee Appliance Cup | 1st | U-5 | Graham Trucking | Porter Racing |
| 2015 | HAPO APBA Gold Cup | 2nd | U-5 | Graham Trucking (6) | Porter Racing |
| 2015 | Indiana Governor’s Cup (EXHIBITION) | 1st | U-5 | Graham Trucking (6) | Porter Racing |
| 2014 | UIM World Championship Oryx Cup | 1st | U-1 | Graham Trucking (6) | Ted Porter |
| 2014 | San Diego Bayfair | 1st | U-1 | Graham Trucking (6) | Ted Porter |
| 2014 | Albert Lee Cup | 1st | U-1 | Graham Trucking (6) | Ted Porter |
| 2014 | HAPO Columbia Cup | 7th | U-1 | Graham Trucking (6) | Ted Porter |
| 2014 | APBA Gold Cup Gala | 4th | U-1 | Graham Trucking (6) | Ted Porter |
| 2014 | Indiana Governor’s Cup | 1st | U-1 | Graham Trucking (6) | Ted Porter |
| 2013 | San Diego Bayfair | 7th | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2013 | Diamond Cup | 5th | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2013 | Albert Lee Cup | 4th | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2013 | Lamb Weston Columbia Cup | 10th | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2013 | APBA Gold Cup | 7th | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2013 | Indiana Governor’s Cup | NO RACE | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2013 | Big Wake Weekend | 3rd | U-37 | Performance Chevrolet | Billy Schumacher |
| 2013 | UIM World Championship Oryx Cup | 5th | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2012 | UIM World Championship Oryx Cup | 6th | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2012 | San Diego Bayfair | 11th | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2012 | Albert Lee Cup | 7th | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2012 | Lamb Weston Columbia Cup | 2nd | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2012 | DYC Presents APBA Gold Cup | 3rd | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2012 | Lucas Oil Indiana Governor’s Cup | 11th | U-37 | Miss Beacon Plumbing (6) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2011 | UIM World Championship Oryx Cup | 7th | U-88 | Degree Men (2) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2011 | Air National Guard Championship | 5th | U-88 | Degree Men (2) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2011 | Albert Lee Cup | 4th | U-88 | Degree Men (2) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2011 | Lamb Weston Columbia Cup | 5th | U-88 | Degree Men (2) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2011 | APBA Gold Cup | 4th | U-88 | Degree Men (2) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2011 | Indiana Governor’s Cup | DNS | U-88 | Degree Men (2) | Billy Schumacher |
| 2010 | Oryx Cup UIM World Championship | 2nd | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2010 | Air National Guard Championship | 3rd | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2010 | Albert Lee Cup | 5th | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2010 | Lamb Weston Columbia Cup | 2nd | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2010 | Jarvis Restoration APBA Gold Cup | 3rd | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2010 | Lucas Oil Indiana Governor’s Cup | 2nd | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2009 | Oryx Cup UIM World Championship | 1st | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2009 | Thunder On The Ohio | 2nd | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2009 | Chevrolet Cup | 7th | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2009 | Lamb Weston Columbia Cup | 8th | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2009 | Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup | 4th | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2009 | Indiana Governor’s Cup | 2nd | U-7 | Graham Trucking (5) | Ted Porter |
| 2008 | Thunderboat Regatta | 5th | U-13 | Graham Trucking (4) | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2008 | Chevrolet Cup | 7th | U-13 | Graham Trucking (4) | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2008 | Lamb Weston Columbia Cup | 10th | U-13 | Graham Trucking (4) | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2008 | Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup | NO RACE | U-13 | Miss D.Y.C. (1) | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2008 | Thunder On The Ohio | 7th | U-13 | Graham Trucking (4) | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2007 | Thunderboat Regatta | 5th | U-13 | Spirit Of Detroit | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2007 | Chevrolet Cup At Seafair | 3rd | U-13 | Miss Car Pros (2) | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2007 | Lamb Weston Columbia Cup | 4th | U-13 | Spirit Of Detroit | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2007 | Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup | 3rd | U-13 | Spirit Of Detroit | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2007 | Indiana Governor’s Cup | 3rd | U-13 | Spirit Of Detroit | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2007 | Thunder On The Ohio | 6th | U-13 | Spirit Of Detroit | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2006 | Chevrolet Cup | 12th | U-13 | Acura Of Bellevue | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2006 | Atomic Cup | 12th | U-13 | Acura Of Bellevue | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2006 | Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup | DNQ | U-13 | Acura Of Bellevue | Detroit Unlimited |
| 2005 | Thunderboat Regatta | 5th | U-2 | Graham Trucking (3) | Jim Harvey |
| 2005 | Llumar Window Film Music City Hydrofest | 8th | U-2 | Graham Trucking (3) | Jim Harvey |
| 2005 | Chevrolet Cup | 9th | U-2 | Graham Trucking (3) | Jim Harvey |
| 2005 | Budweiser Columbia Cup | 8th | U-2 | Graham Trucking (3) | Jim Harvey |
| 2005 | Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup | 6th | U-2 | Miss D.Y.C. (3) | Jim Harvey |
| 2005 | Budweiser Madison Regatta | 4th | U-2 | Miss Bello’s Pizza (2) | Jim Harvey |
| 2005 | Chevrolet Freedom Festival | 7th | U-2 | Graham Trucking (3) | Jim Harvey |
| 2004 | Washington Mutual Bill Muncey Cup | 5th | U-2 | Graham Trucking (3) | Jim Harvey |
| 2004 | Bluewater International Hydrofest | 2nd | U-2 | Sinbad’s Roostertail | Jim Harvey |
| 2004 | General Motors Cup | 5th | U-2 | Graham Trucking (3) | Jim Harvey |
| 2004 | Budweiser Columbia Cup | 3rd | U-2 | Miss A.P.B.A. (2) | Jim Harvey |
HULLS DRIVEN
HULL# 2003-02 | 2004-2005
2005 Thunderboat Regatta 5th U-2 Graham Trucking (3)
2005 Llumar Window Film Music City Hydrofest 8th U-2 Graham Trucking (3)
2005 Chevrolet Cup 9th U-2 Graham Trucking (3)
2005 Budweiser Columbia Cup 8th U-2 Graham Trucking (3)
2005 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup 6th U-2 Miss D.Y.C. (3)
2005 Budweiser Madison Regatta 4th U-2 Miss Bello's Pizza (2)
2005 Chevrolet Freedom Festival 7th U-2 Graham Trucking (3)
2004 Washington Mutual Bill Muncey Cup 5th U-2 Graham Trucking (3)
2004 Bluewater International Hydrofest 2nd U-2 Sinbad's Roostertail
2004 General Motors Cup 5th U-2 Graham Trucking (3)
2004 Budweiser Columbia Cup 3rd U-2 Miss A.P.B.A. (2)
HULL# 1987-00 | 2006-2008
2008 Thunderboat Regatta 5th U-13 Graham Trucking (4)
2008 Chevrolet Cup 7th U-13 Graham Trucking (4)
2008 Lamb Weston Columbia Cup 10th U-13 Graham Trucking (4)
2008 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup NO RACE U-13 Miss D.Y.C. (1)
2008 Thunder On The Ohio 7th U-13 Graham Trucking (4)
2007 Thunderboat Regatta 5th U-13 Spirit Of Detroit
2007 Chevrolet Cup At Seafair 3rd U-13 Miss Car Pros (2)
2007 Lamb Weston Columbia Cup 4th U-13 Spirit Of Detroit
2007 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup 3rd U-13 Spirit Of Detroit
2007 Indiana Governor's Cup 3rd U-13 Spirit Of Detroit
2007 Thunder On The Ohio 6th U-13 Spirit Of Detroit
2006 Chevrolet Cup 12th U-13 Acura Of Bellevue
2006 Atomic Cup 12th U-13 Acura Of Bellevue
2006 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup DNQ U-13 Acura Of Bellevue
2016 MainSource Bank Madison Regatta 2nd U-5 Graham Trucking (5)
2016 Pre-Season Testing TEST U-5 Graham Trucking (5)
2010 Oryx Cup UIM World Championship 2nd U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
2010 Air National Guard Championship 3rd U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
2010 Albert Lee Cup 5th U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
2010 Lamb Weston Columbia Cup 2nd U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
2010 Jarvis Restoration APBA Gold Cup 3rd U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
2010 Lucas Oil Indiana Governor's Cup 2nd U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
2009 Oryx Cup UIM World Championship 1st U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
2009 Thunder On The Ohio 2nd U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
2009 Chevrolet Cup 7th U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
2009 Lamb Weston Columbia Cup 8th U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
2009 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup 4th U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
2009 Indiana Governor's Cup 2nd U-7 Graham Trucking (5)
HULL# 1997-12 | 2009-2010, 2016
HULL# 2011-88 | 2011-2013
2013 San Diego Bayfair 7th U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2013 Diamond Cup 5th U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2013 Albert Lee Cup 4th U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2013 Lamb Weston Columbia Cup 10th U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2013 APBA Gold Cup 7th U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2013 Indiana Governor's Cup NO RACE U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2013 Big Wake Weekend 3rd U-37 Performance Chevrolet
2013 UIM World Championship Oryx Cup 5th U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2012 UIM World Championship Oryx Cup 6th U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2012 San Diego Bayfair 11th U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2012 Albert Lee Cup 7th U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2012 Lamb Weston Columbia Cup 2nd U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2012 DYC Presents APBA Gold Cup 3rd U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2012 Lucas Oil Indiana Governor's Cup 11th U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing (6)
2011 UIM World Championship Oryx Cup 7th U-88 Degree Men (2)
2011 Air National Guard Championship 5th U-88 Degree Men (2)
2011 Albert Lee Cup 4th U-88 Degree Men (2)
2011 Lamb Weston Columbia Cup 5th U-88 Degree Men (2)
2011 APBA Gold Cup 4th U-88 Degree Men (2)
2011 Indiana Governor's Cup DNS U-88 Degree Men (2)
HULL# 2000-01 | 2014-2019
2019 HomeStreet Bank Bayfair 1st U-12 Graham Trucking
2019 HomeStreet Bank Cup 1st U-12 Graham Trucking
2019 HAPO Columbia Cup 1st U-12 Graham Trucking
2019 Madison Regatta APBA Gold Cup 3rd U-12 Graham Trucking
2019 Guntersville Lake Hydrofest 2nd U-12 Graham Trucking
2019 Pre-Season Testing TEST U-12 Graham Trucking (5)
2018 Albert Lee Appliance Cup 2nd U-12 Graham Trucking (5)
2018 HAPO Columbia Cup 3rd U-12 Graham Trucking (5)
2017 HomeStreet Bank Bayfair 2nd U-12 Graham Trucking (5)
2017 APBA Gold Cup 4th U-12 Graham Trucking (5)
2017 President's Cup 2nd U-12 Graham Trucking (5)
2017 Albert Lee Appliance Seafair Cup 2nd U-12 Graham Trucking (5)
2017 HAPO Columbia Cup 1st U-12 Graham Trucking (5)
2016 HomeStreet Bank San Diego Bayfair 3rd U-5 Graham Trucking (5)
2016 UAW/GM Hydrofest APBA Gold Cup 1st U-5 Graham Trucking (5)
2016 Albert Lee Appliance Seafair Cup 5th U-5 Graham Trucking (5)
2016 HAPO Columbia Cup 2nd U-5 Graham Trucking (5)
2016 Pre-Season Testing TEST U-5 Graham Trucking (5)
2015 San Diego Bayfair 4th U-5 Graham Trucking (6)
2015 Spirit of Detroit Hydrofest 2nd U-5 Graham Trucking (6)
2015 Albert Lee Appliance Cup 1st U-5 Graham Trucking
2015 HAPO APBA Gold Cup 2nd U-5 Graham Trucking (6)
2015 Indiana Governor's Cup EXHIBITION U-5 Graham Trucking (6)
2014 UIM World Championship Oryx Cup 1st U-1 Graham Trucking (6)
2014 San Diego Bayfair 1st U-1 Graham Trucking (6)
2014 Albert Lee Cup 1st U-1 Graham Trucking (6)
2014 HAPO Columbia Cup 7th U-1 Graham Trucking (6)
2014 APBA Gold Cup Gala 4th U-1 Graham Trucking (6)
2014 Indiana Governor's Cup 1st U-1 Graham Trucking (6)
HULL# 2014-96 | 2021-2024
2024 Madison Regatta 2nd U-1 Beacon Electric
2024 Guntersville Hydrofest 3rd U-1 Beacon Electric
2024 Preseason Test TEST U-1 Beacon Electric
2023 APBA Gold Cup 1st U-8 Beacon Electric
2023 Columbia Cup 3rd U-8 Beacon Electric
2023 Madison Regatta 1st U-8 Beacon Electric
2023 Guntersville Hydrofest 4th U-8 Beacon Electric
2023 Preseason Testing TEST U-8 Beacon Electric
2022 HomeStreet Bank Bayfair 2nd U-9 Miss Tri-Cities
2022 HomeStreet Bank Bayfair Showdown 3rd U-9 Miss Tri-Cities
2022 HomeStreet Bank Cup 1st U-9 Boitano Homes
2022 HomeStreet Bank Cup Showdown 3rd U-9 Boitano Homes
2022 HAPO Columbia Cup 2nd U-9 LYNX Healthcare Presents Miss Tri-Cities
2022 Madison Regatta 4th U-8 Miss Tri-Cities
2022 Madison Regatta Showdown 3rd U-8 Miss Tri-Cities
2022 APBA Gold Cup 4th U-8 Miss Tri-Cities
2022 Pre-Season Test (TC) TEST U-8 Miss Tri-Cities
2022 Pre-Season Test (VAN) TEST U-8 Miss Tri-Cities
2021 HomeStreet Bank Bayfair 1st U-8 Miss Tri-Cities
2021 HAPO Columbia Cup 2nd U-8 Payne West Insurance presents Miss Tri-Cities
2021 Madison Regatta APBA Gold Cup 6th U-8 Miss Tri-Cities
2021 Guntersville Lake Hydrofest 1st U-8 Miss Tri-Cities
2021 Pre-Season Testing TEST U-8 Miss Tri-Cities
