Seafair debacle by H1 Officials will prove to be the final nail in a coffin already lowered into…

SEATTLE (Aug. 4, 2019) — In one of the most confusing Seafair races in recent memory, fans were surprised that the celebrated win by Jimmy Shane of Maple Valley, Washington was stripped after the race. The race was awarded to J. Michael Kelly of Bonney Lake, Wash., driver of the U-12 “Graham Trucking” after officials determined after the race that Shane had violated the minimum 80 mph rule several times in the pre-race milling period

Jimmy Shane stripped of the victory and national high points after being awarded the trophy on live Seattle TV Networks. The call came nearly two hours after the award presentation. J. Michael Kelly awarded win at HomeStreet Bank Cup

Breaking from #Seafair, after a review from H1 Unlimited officials , it’s been determined the @HomeStreetBank went under 80mph before the start and was penalized, the new winner from today is @RacingGraham and J. Michael Kelly

— Chris Egan King-5 TV (@ChrisEgan5) August 5, 2019

Took the words right out of my mouth Rick.

From the Seattle Times: pic.twitter.com/qTlaQPeZFf

— David Campbell (@CampbellSports) August 5, 2019

A wild turn of events as H1 apparently can't tell the difference between the color of boats. Shane is penalized and Kelly (who was penalized) gets the win.

The incompetence of @H1Unlimited continues unabated and they can't understand why nobody watches the sport anymore. https://t.co/dvEz5QxCEd

— David Campbell (@CampbellSports) August 5, 2019

The race was awarded to J. Michael Kelly of Bonney Lake, Wash., driver of the U-12 “Graham Trucking” after officials determined after the race that Shane had violated the minimum 80 mph rule several times in the pre-race milling period.

After reviewing onboard video, H1 Unlimited hydroplane officials said that Shane had indeed gone below the minimum speed twice and added a one-minute penalty after the race.

Officials also reviewed onboard video from Kelly’s race boat and determined that the penalty called during the race on Kelly for going under 80 mph was incorrect and his one-minute penalty was rescinded.

This is the third consecutive year Seafair has been decided by penalty.

The official order of finish for the HomeStreet Bank Cup at Seafair is:

1) U-12 “Graham Trucking,” J. Michael Kelly, 136.294 mph

2) U-1 “Delta/RealTrac,” Andrew Tate, 132.161 mph

3) U-11 “J&D’s presented by Reliable Diamond Tool,” Jamie Nilsen, 128.026 mph

4) U-1918 “Oberto Super Salami,” Jeff Bernard, 123.902 mph

5) U-6 “Miss Home Street,” Jimmy Shane, 111.254 mph

6) U-98 “Graham Trucking American Dream,” 110.162 mph

7) U-99.9 “CARSTARS powers Miss Rock KISW,” Brian Perkins, 101.290 mph