Episode 76 - Tony Scarlata Drag Boat Racing Legend

In this episode of Powerboat Talk, we sit down with Tony Scarlata, Southern California boat racer and hot boat enthusiast who is famous for driving some of the most recognizable and successful Top Alcohol Flatbottom drag boats in history.

A native of Northern California who spent his early years boating on the Sacramento Delta with his father and his friends. Scarlata was gifted his first boat, a jet, from his father for receiving a college scholarship to play football at Oregon State University. As if there were any doubt Scarlata had hot boats in his blood, he took out a $4,000 student loan and promptly invested it in his education, a big-block Chevy for the boat.

Scarlata started racing in 1990 and soon found himself driving for other boat owners. His first major win came in 1997 in the Pro Gas Flat class at Augusta. Before long, he moved up to Top Alcohol Flat, driving Rick Jackson's Flatzilla, followed by a four-year stint in one of Kevin Felkins' Canyon boats.

Perhaps his most successful ride came behind the wheel of Tommy Thompson's Canyon Shazam. Scarlata recalls the team winning six Top Alcohol Flat championships, and in 2017 they became the first TAF team to break into the four-second range, running a 4.96 e.t. at Bakersfield.

Scarlata also spent years racing circle boats in the Super Stock and K-boat classes. After a serious crash in Australia in 2010 nearly drowned him and left him in a medically induced coma for several days to reduce brain swelling, he retired from circle racing.

In the episode, Scarlata also talks about founding the Outlaw Nationals in 2016, an event held each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving at the Sundance Saloon on the Parker Strip. The race grew out of a public challenge between Scarlata and rival drag boat racer Shane Westerfield to settle things with an impromptu showdown on the river. Last year marked the event's 10th running.

The 2026 season has also been eventful for Scarlata. Although he didn't have a full-time driving ride, he was named Series Manager of the IHRA Outlaw Drag Boat Series in February, only to be relieved of his duties in June. In the episode, Scarlata shares some of the behind-the-scenes craziness surrounding the short-lived IHRA saga.

Scarlata can also be found at any of the National Jet Boat Association (NJBA) drag boat races where he can be seen helping fellow racers, especially the younger ones, and manning the starter's barge.

Follow Tony Scarlata on Instagram @jetboatguru and on Facebook @Tony Scarlata

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