CODY MANNERS WINS IN LIFE AND ON THE TRACK
by Brian Spaid

August 15, 2008 

   Last season, Cody Manners raced at Tri-City Speedway not knowing what would happen with his health. He won the prestigious Apple Core 20 for the Thundercar division to end the 2007 season, and headed into a new unknown in the winter months.

   On Jan. 23, Manners and his mother, Evelyn, entered the hospital. In an unselfish gesture, mom donated a kidney to her beloved son. The operation was smooth and the recovery went well, all things considered.

   But would Manners race again?

   Opening day arrived on April 27, and the Oil City teen was back behind the wheel of his trusty Pontiac Grand Prix No. 16 painted in the colors of the American flag. In the third race out, Manners was in victory lane once again at the venerable Venango County half-mile oval.

   “The thought never crossed my mind about not racing,” said Manners, who is a high school senior at Oil City High School. “I was going to drive no matter what. I love racing. It’s thrilling. It gives me a good adrenaline rush.”

   Manners, 18, is a fast racer in the Thundercar class to boot. Currently second in the point standings behind 2007 champion Bill Myers of Seneca, Manners started racing in 2006 following the footsteps of his father, Jeff, who is a two-time Thundercar champion at Tri-City in 2003 and 2006.

   “When I was six, my dad raced Pro Stocks at Tri-City. I’ve been around it since then and I just had to do it. My uncle, Dan Slagle, had a Thundercar, and we were going to share it for a season in 2006. I ran it one night and did well, so after that, he let me run it the rest of the year.”

   The rest is history. Manners now has four feature wins at Tri-City and is knocking on the door for his first track title despite a disqualification for an engine infraction earlier in the season.

   “That was pretty disappointing,” noted Manners. “We still disagree with the decision, and we think it may cost us the track title. But, we’ll move on. I want to win at least one more time this season.”

   In addition to his driving ability, Manners works with his father building Thundercars. So far, they’ve built four of them.

   “I’m real proud of that,” said the teen sensation. “We’ve got three cars racing out there right now. Mine, dad’s, and the car owned by Bill Baker.”

   Manners receives a lot of financial help from family and friends. In addition to his parents, his uncle, Jay Fink in North Carolina is a huge supporter.

   “One day, I’d love to race in a Late Model or Big Block Modified,” said Manners. “Right now, I can afford the Thundercars, and I love racing them.”

   Manners is one of the homegrown racers at Tri-City. Born and bred on racing at the big track, he’s developed into one of the best racers according to many pitside observers.

   Winning the battle against kidney disease shows his tenacity and bravery. Now, Manners has his heart sent on winning a championship. If he can win back his life, he undoubtedly can win that elusive first title.

   Manners’ Thundercar is sponsored by Tarr’s Motorsports, Manners Contracting and Cherrytree General Store of Cherrytree, Randy’s Auto Sales of Dempseytown, Ken Humanic Racing of Titusville, and Designer’s Graphics of Oil City.