David McManus; Putting Everything He's Got Into JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Season Opener At Springport
Finishing position in Cabin Fever 100 will determine the rest of his 2014 schedule (Special from McManus Racing)
April 29, 2014
Clio, Michigan (April 29, 2014) – Throughout his racing career, David McManus has been
the model definition of dedication and heart. Despite the lack of resources throughout his
career, the now 30-year-old has still lead laps and race competitively at every event he
enters. Whether it's in his limited appearances in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented
by Chevrolet Performance or on the weekly level closer to his Clio, Michigan home.
At every event, there's McManus climbing out of the car, jacking it up, putting the machine
on jack stands and crawling underneath or peering under the hood in the never ending
search for that something extra that will put his familiar yellow and green #7 in victory
lane. Larger teams with unlimited resources have stood up and have taken notice of the
never ending efforts and hard work. "There is a sense of accomplishment that comes from
being one of the smaller teams but is still a threat to win on race day." He states.
It’s not the way most of the other drivers do things, but McManus feel like that goes a
long way and does not want to be known as simply a 'driver' but instead a 'racer. With that
in mind, the now a resident of Eaton Rapids, Michigan hopes to finally be able to have everything come together for him and his small McManus Racing Team led by his Father, Crew Chief, Darrell McManus in the 2014 season opener for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour.
The Cabin Fever 100 Presented by JEGS.com is set for Sunday afternoon, May 4th as the 3/8s (0.375) mile semi-banked paved oval of Springport Motor Speedway, located just 10 minutes from his new residence in Springport, Michigan is the site for the first points race of the season for the premier template bodied / crate motored tour in the country.
"We're just take things one race at a time. Ideally we'd like to run the full JEGS/CRA schedule, but financially it's just not possible right now. So all of our resources, everything we've got is tied into Springport." McManus, who works as a Financial Analyst for the Michigan Department of Corrections stated. "All we can do is take things one step at a time. If Springport goes well, we'll see what happens as far as when the next one will be." He added.
As for the remainder of the 2014 racing season, if more sponsorship is not found, McManus plans on running a limited schedule with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour as finances allow. "It's been a difficult off-season after the final race of 2013 during the Winchester 400 weekend. After working our way up into third from 17th, we were involved in a wreck that resulted in a completely wiped out racecar, including bending the steering wheel." He explained.
"A complete chassis rebuild was not in the cards this winter as the funding is typically used to buy diesel fuel to get to where we’re going throughout the season and the one set of tires we purchase during race weekend. There is no doubt that tuning the chassis on 100-lap old tires is not ideal, but at $550.00 per set, it simply isn’t possible at this point in time to have a practice set like most other teams." McManus continued. "At one point I even lobbied with the tech officials to allow premium pump gas to be used despite the disadvantage, simply to save money spent on fuel." He added.
"The hours spent in the shop preparing and the determination behind the wheel are two reasons why we remain competitive. Racing for a trophy is one thing, but when you’re racing for gas money to get home it takes it to a whole new level. My passion for the sport is what fuels me to pursue checkered flags and that is something that will never burn out. Seeking funding is probably the most difficult part of auto racing, but with the proper resources I feel like we could put together a championship caliber effort. Hopefully our dedication, effort and solid results can prove to the right people that we are a good investment." He ended.
McManus began his racing career with a handful of races during the 1999 season as a 14-year-old racing in the Factory Stocks division. In 2000, he was locked in a dual for the Rookie of the Year titles in the division at Auto City Speedway (MI) and Dixie Motor Speedway (MI) with eventual 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion, Brad Keselowski. Both drivers, then teenagers (Keselowski was 17 & McManus was 15) were awarded the 'Future Stars Award" at Auto City for their classic battle for the freshman title while Keselowski would win the Rookie title over McManus at Dixie.
During his Factory Stocks (Street Stocks) career which spanned the years 1999-2001, he accumulated wins at both Auto City and Dixie as well as at Owosso Speedway, Spartan Speedway and Whittemore Speedway all in his home state of Michigan. Amongst the biggest wins of his career in the Factory Stock was at Spartan when he won the Harvest 50 and a 100-lap main for the class at Whittemore that same season. He also finished second in points at Auto City in 2001.
The Eastern Michigan native then made the big leap to Outlaw Super Late Models in 2002 and results included his first win at Owosso in 2004 as well as triumphs at Auto City and Dixie. From 2002 until 2010, McManus stuck to a mostly special events schedule in the high powered machines while also serving as a crew member for Brad Keselowski during his NASCAR Truck Series days in 2004 & 2005. Over that time span he would score 12 Feature Wins with the biggest win of his career in an Outlaw Super Late Model coming in the Pat Bourdow Memorial / Smackdown 150 at Dixie in 2006.
The 2011 season began with McManus making the transition to the template bodied world and raced in the Super Stocks division at Auto City. McManus picked up the biggest win to date in his Template bodied/Crate motored machine when he won the JACK 100 that season on his way to a fifth place finish in the final points. It was also that season when the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour came to life and McManus would run a limited schedule, four races total with the series with a pair of 12th place finishes at Toledo Speedway (OH) and Lucas Oil Raceway (IN) his highest showings.
In 2012 at Auto City, he would bring home four feature wins during the year despite limited appearances during the year. He still finished 10th in the final points standings. He would also make three more appearances in JEGS/CRA where he scored his career high finish to date, a podium showing of a third at Auto City on August 16th.
Last season, McManus again made limited appearances in JEGS/CRA, five total and still finished 20th in the final point's standings with one top five finish, a fourth place showing at Dixie Motor Speedway (MI) on June 7th. That finish also accounted for his lone top 10 showing while he has also led 85 laps in the event at Auto City before trouble ensued with another competitor and he finished 17th.
Also while running in third at Winchester Speedway (IN) during the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour portion of the Winchester 400 weekend on October 11th, 2013 he was involved in a hard crash on the front stretch which destroyed his racecar. He would also finish fifth in points in what would be the final season for the division at Auto City. He recorded one feature win during the year which came on May 4th, 2013.
For the Cabin Fever 100 Presented by JEGS.com, McManus' familiar yellow and green #7 McManus Racing / Chevrolet will carry some sponsorship support and stickers from Auto Body Complete as well as Shaheen Family Dental, D.K. Trucking, Howe Racing Enterprises, McGunegill Engine Performance and M.P.H. Promotions.
For more information about David McManus and McManus Racing and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the remainder of the 2014 season as the team looks to try and make a run at the 2014 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Championship, email the team at: mcmanusd7@yahoo.com A team website as well as a Facebook and Twitter page are under development and will all be available later in the season.
