JMK & Son Carson Inducted to Hall Of Champions
J. Michael Kelly (JMK) and his son Carson were inducted into the American Power Boat Association’s (APBA) Hall of Champions this past weekend. Their induction ceremony took place during the APBA’s annual national convention in Seattle. It is the first time a father and son have earned the honor in the same year since James and George Luce were inducted together in 1974.
In addition to driving the U-8 Miss Tri-Cities Unlimited hydroplane for Strong Racing this past season, JMK also competed in five classes in the Stock Outboard Category, which earned him the APBA Hall of Champion recognition. While competing in the Stock Outboard Category, Kelly won the national high-points, Western champion, and Western Divisional champion in the C Stock Hydro class. He also earned titles or set speed records in three other outboard classes.
Carson Kelly, J. Michael’s 13-year-old son, also had a successful 2022 season while competing in APBA’s Junior Category. Carson raced in all four junior classes, winning national high-point titles in two classes, claimed two Nationals Championships in both the J Runabout and AX Runabout (AXR) classes, and won the North American Championship in the AXR.
“It’s just honestly amazing,” J. Michael said. “Going into the race season, it wasn’t about me, it was about my son and him racing in the junior category. The main focus was making sure that he had a good time, but to be inducted into the Hall of Champions with him is an added bonus. It’s probably one of the biggest accomplishments that you can do racing boats and it’s not an easy thing to get in to, so it’s pretty neat to get to share this with Carson.”
JMK has seen great success in his driving career, including 14 victories in unlimited hydroplanes since 2004 and the 2021 National Driver’s Championship. The experience of being inducted into the Hall of Champions is a new one for his son, however. “It’s pretty cool, because I didn’t even know what that was a year ago” Carson said.
A highlight of Carson’s 2022 season was the appearance at the Junior Category’s Nations in DePue, Illinois, which happened on the same weekend that his dad was driving at the HAPO Columbia Cup in the Tri-Cities, Washington. “Yeah, it was way different with my dad not being there, but we still had to work on the boats the same way,” Carson said. “My friends and I had good races and stuff, and it was pretty cool racing there, but it kind of sucked not having my dad there.”
Racing in the Kelly family is a family affair that runs from April until October. “It’s almost every single weekend we’re gone racing, whether it’s unlimited, inboard, or outboard,” J. Michael says. “It’s a lot of dedication and hard work. We love it. I love racing Unlimiteds, I love going to different places, and I love everything about that.”
Kelly says it’s the people that he enjoys most when racing in the outboard categories. “It’s not just being out there with the deck-to-deck racing, it’s the family atmosphere, and that is something I will always love doing,” he said. “I feel lucky that I get to include my kids and they share the same passion with me. It’s something that we love to do, and it keeps the kids out of trouble because there’s no time except going boat racing and spending time with your family. What more could you ask for?”
It looks like the fun times in the Kelly family will continue. Carson’s little brother, Asher, is also itching to get into boat racing. “We let him go testing out at my grandfather’s place,” J. Michael said. “He was a natural at it. In a couple more years we will be right back where we started with Carson pretty much. Luckily, Carson is getting everything dialed in for his little brother, so Asher will have it pretty good when he starts racing.”
JMK & Son Carson Inducted to Hall Of Champions
J. Michael Kelly (JMK) and his son Carson were inducted into the American Power Boat Association’s (APBA) Hall of Champions this past weekend. Their induction ceremony took place during the APBA’s annual national convention in Seattle. It is the first time a father and son have earned the honor in the same year since James and George Luce were inducted together in 1974.
In addition to driving the U-8 Miss Tri-Cities Unlimited hydroplane for Strong Racing this past season, JMK also competed in five classes in the Stock Outboard Category, which earned him the APBA Hall of Champion recognition. While competing in the Stock Outboard Category, Kelly won the national high-points, Western champion, and Western Divisional champion in the C Stock Hydro class. He also earned titles or set speed records in three other outboard classes.
Carson Kelly, J. Michael’s 13-year-old son, also had a successful 2022 season while competing in APBA’s Junior Category. Carson raced in all four junior classes, winning national high-point titles in two classes, claimed two Nationals Championships in both the J Runabout and AX Runabout (AXR) classes, and won the North American Championship in the AXR.
“It’s just honestly amazing,” J. Michael said. “Going into the race season, it wasn’t about me, it was about my son and him racing in the junior category. The main focus was making sure that he had a good time, but to be inducted into the Hall of Champions with him is an added bonus. It’s probably one of the biggest accomplishments that you can do racing boats and it’s not an easy thing to get in to, so it’s pretty neat to get to share this with Carson.”
JMK has seen great success in his driving career, including 14 victories in unlimited hydroplanes since 2004 and the 2021 National Driver’s Championship. The experience of being inducted into the Hall of Champions is a new one for his son, however. “It’s pretty cool, because I didn’t even know what that was a year ago” Carson said.
A highlight of Carson’s 2022 season was the appearance at the Junior Category’s Nations in DePue, Illinois, which happened on the same weekend that his dad was driving at the HAPO Columbia Cup in the Tri-Cities, Washington. “Yeah, it was way different with my dad not being there, but we still had to work on the boats the same way,” Carson said. “My friends and I had good races and stuff, and it was pretty cool racing there, but it kind of sucked not having my dad there.”
Racing in the Kelly family is a family affair that runs from April until October. “It’s almost every single weekend we’re gone racing, whether it’s unlimited, inboard, or outboard,” J. Michael says. “It’s a lot of dedication and hard work. We love it. I love racing Unlimiteds, I love going to different places, and I love everything about that.”
Kelly says it’s the people that he enjoys most when racing in the outboard categories. “It’s not just being out there with the deck-to-deck racing, it’s the family atmosphere, and that is something I will always love doing,” he said. “I feel lucky that I get to include my kids and they share the same passion with me. It’s something that we love to do, and it keeps the kids out of trouble because there’s no time except going boat racing and spending time with your family. What more could you ask for?”
It looks like the fun times in the Kelly family will continue. Carson’s little brother, Asher, is also itching to get into boat racing. “We let him go testing out at my grandfather’s place,” J. Michael said. “He was a natural at it. In a couple more years we will be right back where we started with Carson pretty much. Luckily, Carson is getting everything dialed in for his little brother, so Asher will have it pretty good when he starts racing.”