Chasin Tails Podcast

Episode 89 opens with a celebration: Kyle Hayes just won his first APBA Summer Nationals championship in the two-and-a-half class, calling the title heat against Kevin "the most fun I've ever had in a boat." Austin is back in the seat for the first time this season and had a character-building first ride in a boat set up for the wrong conditions. Bobby joins the pod late, headphone-less, still rec...

2026 is underway and we were there. Kyle breaks down the Edgewood season opener live — crowds, racing, boat performances, and what the 755 Alliance pulled off. Then we set our sights on the Cambridge Classic, scrolling through every class entry list and making our picks. We also debut the Chasin Tails Dumper Award, sound off on the APBA/HRL engine ruling, and react to news that the Lupton GP boats...

Brandon, Kyle, and Bobby are back for Episode 85 and the 2026 racing season is finally here. The crew kicks things off with a full APBA season preview — going class by class with high points predictions, most improved picks, and a breakdown of the East vs. West Coast points battle. Race director and Skiff racer Jimmie Stewart drops in live to preview the Harford County Spring Nationals at Edgewood...

This one is about legacy—plain and simple. In Episode 83 of Chasin’ Tails, Huey Newport walks through a lifetime in hydroplane racing. From getting started in the early days to becoming a major force in Grand Prix, this is his story told the way it actually happened. We’re not just talking highlights. Huey gets into the grind, the near wins, the turning points, and the decisions that shaped not on...

This isn’t a polished press release. It’s a real look inside what it takes to keep a top-tier hydroplane team on the water. In this episode of Chasin’ Tails, we sit down with the crew behind Miss Madison Racing to break down everything happening right now—from boat repairs and engine decisions to race strategy and the reality of funding a competitive program. We get into the details most people do...

For 80 episodes, Brandon’s been the one asking the questions… this time, the script flips. The Chasin’ Tails crew pulls off a surprise and puts Brandon Kennedy in the hot seat as the official guest of Episode 81—whether he was ready or not. From getting his start as a kid in the pits to climbing through every class in hydroplane racing, Brandon opens up about the moments that shaped him—on and off...

Major changes are coming to hydroplane racing, and we’re digging into what it all means. In Episode 79 of Chasin’ Tails , Brandon, Kyle, and Austin are joined by Jonathan Abbott to break down the new starting procedures, lane assignments, and race format changes being introduced in H1 Unlimited . Change in motorsports is never easy, and this conversation gets into the real challenges teams, offici...

This week on Chasin’ Tails, we sit down with one of the most dominant and polarizing figures the sport has ever seen — Dave Villwock. This isn’t a highlight reel interview. This is the real conversation. Dave takes us through the evolution of unlimited hydroplanes from the inside. From learning the ropes as a kid around the boats, to becoming one of the most feared competitors in the sport, to res...

Episode 77 is a full reset on where boat racing stands right now. Brandon and Bobby are joined by guest host Kyle Bipes as they break down everything that came out of the APBA banquet. What changed, what didn’t, and what still feels broken. From rule shifts and class combinations to transparency issues in IRC meetings, this one digs into the stuff racers are actually talking about in the pits. The...

In Episode 76 of Chasin’ Tails , we dive head-first into the conversations everyone in boat racing is having — whether they’re saying it out loud or not. From engine regulations and prop debates to safety standards, fuel gray areas, and the future of racing classes, this episode tackles the real issues shaping the direction of hydroplane racing . We break down why controversies spark engagement, h...

In Episode 75 of Chasin’ Tails , Brandon, Austin, and Bobby recap the highs, chaos, and behind-the-scenes grind of the recent Hydroplane Racing League (HRL) Gala , breaking down what it really takes to pull off a major night celebrating the sport of hydroplane racing. From live-show technical hiccups to production challenges, the crew shares what fans don’t see—and why those moments often create t...

In Episode 74 of the Chasin’ Tails Podcast , the crew dives head-first into the state of hydroplane racing — what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change for the sport to grow. We break down race formats, rule proposals, engine regulations, inspections, safety , and the real cost of racing , while talking openly about fairness, cheating deterrents, and why participation and community ma...

Brinton , newly inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions . JT shares his journey through flat bottom racing, what makes these boats so unique to drive, and why the challenge and thrill keep racers coming back. The conversation explores the evolution of racing classes, the history of K boats, and what it takes to chase speed records on the water. JT also opens up about his family’s racing legacy an...