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 2024 season saw Corey grab wins in Tri-Cities and the APBA Gold Cup in San Diego – his second Gold Cup victory.
As part of a team reorganization in late 2022, Peabody also assumed the responsibilities of Team General Manager.
- Began racing outboard hydroplanes in 1998 alongside grade school classmate (now Strong Racing teammate), and neighbor, J. Michael Kelly.
- Became qualified as an H1 Unlimited driver in 2016 after spending 3 years as a crew member for J. Michael Kelly.
- Corey’s first H1 Unlimited race as a driver was the 2016 APBA Gold Cup in Detroit, Michigan aboard Ted Porter’s U-57. He finished in 7th
- Before joining Strong Racing in 2021, Corey drove the U-98 Graham Trucking, American Dream, for Rob Graham. He finished 5th in National High Points.
- Claimed first H1 Unlimited victory at the 2021 HAPO Columbia Cup in Tri-Cities, Washington. (U-9, Pinnacle Peak Consulting)
- Interesting fact: Since claiming that first win in the Tri-Cities in 2021, Corey has never lost on the Columbia River! (He did not race in the 2022 Columbia Cup following his crash in Madison.)
- Corey Peabody claimed his first APBA Gold Cup victory at Guntersville, Alabama, in 2022 (U-9, Lynx Healthcare).
- Entering the 2025 season, Corey has seven (7) H1 Unlimited victories to his credit, all with Strong Racing. His seven (7) wins tie him with Lee Schoenith and Scott Pierce for 26th on the H1 Unlimited all-time win list.
- Corey won 2 races in 2024, winning at both Tri-Cities and San Diego. The win on San Diego’s Mission Bay afforded Corey his second APBA Gold Cup.
- In 2023, Corey, in the U-9, Beacon Plumbing, set a World Record establishing the fastest heat average speed of 162.910 MPH. The record was set in Guntersville, Alabama. It was the fastest average speed ever for a heat on any course, of any length, at any time.
- Corey Peabody is Team/General Manager for Strong Racing.
NEXT DRIVER VICTORY: Corey’s next victory (8th) will tie him with Dan Arena for 25th on the all-time H1 Unlimited win list.
