Jimmy Shane started the celebration on the way to the dock. Meanwhile, coasting his hydroplane to land a few docks away, J. Michael Kelly didn’t resign himself to the disappointment of a loss. And sure enough, the news soon came that he was the Albert Lee Appliance Cup champion, despite crossing the finish line second.
Shane was assessed a one-minute penalty for encroachment on the first turn of the final lap of the Seafair finale, but it wasn’t immediately radioed into the racers as officials reviewed footage from when the two boats made contact. Instead, of a one-lap penalty assessed, fans took in an exciting finish that saw Shane’s Oberto boat overtake the lead in the final turn.