RPW Exclusive: Cody Manmiller Scores Career First Grandview 358-Modified Win Saturday Night

Column By: TOM WENNER / RPW – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – On Saturday night, second-generation racer Cody Manmiller drove to the Grandview Speedway Spec 358-Modified win, his first Modified victory at any track.

Cody has one Grandview Speedway 602 Sportsman victory that occurred on June 4th, 2022. That night, Cody and his father Doug shared the victory lane together.

Cody started the ’24 racing season in his 602 Sportsman at the Grandview Speedway, while running a Spec 358 Modified on select Friday nights at the Big Diamond Speedway.

Those plans were altered when the 602 power plant in Cody’s Sportsman failed in June and forced Cody to step up his game. Cody then made the decision, to switch tracks and bring his Spec 358 Modified to the Grandview Speedway and as he put it “Get thrown to the wolves”.

On Saturday night, the stars aligned for Cody as he won Spec 358 Modified heat race #3 and then took full advantage of his pole starting spot and drove to victory lane.

The Manmiller is one of the best families in the pit area, the are always there to lend a hand in need and willing to help. Cody’s win was well received as several drivers pulled next to the Haus Automotive #00 on the cool down lap express gratitude to Cody’s feature run.

34 – Spec 358 Modified were in competition with Joe Funk, Timmy Buckwalter, and Cody Manmiller as heat race winners. Ron Haring Jr. and Kevin Graver Jr. were unable to start the feature. Johnny Willman made the call as the alternate.

Cody Manmiller and Ryan Beltz led the NASCAR T.P. Trailers Modified 28 car field to the green flag.

Cody Manmiller powered to the race lead with Beltz, Eric Biehn, Joe Funk, Nate Brinker, Frank Yankowski, and Ryan Grim chasing.

On lap 3 the first caution is displayed as Justin Grim slows in turns 3 and 4 with a RF Tire down. The Grim team would make a quick tire change and get him back to action quickly. The field was restacked with Manmiller, Beltz, Biehn, Funk, Brinker, Grim, Buckwalter, Yankowski, Manmiller and Gular.

On the restart Doug Manmiller and Kevin Hirthler tangled in turn one that ended with the Miller 44 sitting against the wall. Manmiller was running in the 9th spot. Craig Von Dohren was on the move early 22nd to 12th. Manmiller and Hirthler visited the pits, Manmiller returned, Hirthler did not. The field was restacked and back to green.

Lap 5 is clicked off, Cody Manmiller is setting the pace at the point with Eric Biehn moving past Beltz, Ryan Beltz, Funk, and Ryan Grim. Looking back in the field, Brett Kressley, Ryan Watt, and Craig Von Dohren are right at the top of the Top-10 and flying forward.

Lap 10 is run, Cody Manmiller is still in full race control, Biehn, Ryan Grim is up to 3rd now, Beltz, and Mike Gular is 5th.

Lap 12 and looking back, Brett Kressley is 8th, Timmy Buckwalter 9th, Craig Von Dohren 10th, and Point Leader Jeff Strunk 11th from the consolation. Some of the best racing is going on mid-pack.

The $200 Dan’s Deli halfway Leader Bonus is paid to Cody Manmiller, Eric Biehn with a great run in 2nd, Ryan Grim 3rd, Mike Gular 4th, Jared Umbenhauer 5th, Brett Kressley 6th, Ryan Beltz 7th, Timmy Buckwalter 8th

Lap 18 and the Haus Automotive Cody Manmiller 00 is approaching lap traffic, all racing is under green flag conditions. Eric Biehn, Ryan Grim, and Mike Gular are under a blanket for 2nd/3rd, and 4th while Brett Kressley is assaulting Jared Umbenhauer for 5th.

Lap 20 is scored with Cody Manmiller starting to sail through lap traffic now. Eric Biehn is maintaining 2nd, Ryan Grim is 3rd, Mike Gular 4th, Jared Umbenhauer 5th, Brett Kressley, 6th, Craig Von Dohren 7th, Timmy Buckwalter 8th, Jeff Strunk 9th, and Eddie Strada 10th.

Lap 23 and the action remains all under green with Cody Manmiller out front in lap traffic, the field is starting to gain on him as Biehn, Grim, Gular, Umbenhauer, and Kressley are nose to tail only a few car lengths from Manmiller.

Lap 25, 5 to go – The field continues to inch closer to Manmiller. Umbenhauer and Kressley are all over the pack. Kressley goes side by side looking to move up.

Lap 26, Manmiller stays out front in lap traffic as Ryan Grim has moved to 2nd, Mike Gular is 3rd, Eric Biehn is 4th, Brett Kressley has moved past Umbenhauer for 5th and Jared Umbenhauer is now 6th.

Lap 28, Ray Kemp shows the 2 to go sign to Cody Manmiller as Ryan Grim is closing in on Manmiller. Brett Kressley is now 3rd just getting by Mike Gular

The White Flag lap was one for the ages, Cody Manmiller is trying to protect the race lead, his moves from the top to bottom as Ryan Grim, Brett Kressley, Mike Gular are storming to his bumper. Biehn, Umbenhauer, Strunk and Von Dohren are not far back.

Cody Manmiller is able to protect and win the Grandview Speedway Spec 358 Modified feature event. Ryan Grim has a great run for 2nd, Brett Kressley with a strong run 15th to 3rd, Mike Gular 4th, Eric Biehn 5th, Jared Umbenhauer 6th, Jeff Strunk 7th, Craig Von Dohren 8th, Eddie Strada 9th, Timmy Buckwalter 10th.

T.P. TRAILER NASCAR MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (30 laps): CODY MANMILLER, Ryan Grim, Brett Kressley, Mike Gular, Eric Biehn, Jared Umbenhauer, Jeff Strunk, Craig Von Dohren, Eddie Strada, Tim Buckwalter, Louden Reimert, Ryan Beltz, Ryan Watt, Kyle Smith, Joe Funk, Mike Lisowski, Jon Kellner, Doug Manmiller, Chris Esposito, Eric Kormann, Justin Grim, Bryan Rhoads, Darrin Schuler, Nate Brinker, John Willman, Frank Yankowski, Kevin Hirthler, DNS – Ron Haring Jr., Kevin Graver Jr.

DID NOT QUALIFY: Glenn Owens, Jimmy Leiby, Duane Howard, Ray Swinehart

T.P. TRAILERS WINNER’S BONUS ($300): Cody Manmiller
VP RACING FUELS HARD CHARGER: Jeff Strunk +14
PENSKE RACING SHOCKS CERTIFICATES: Cody Manmiller ($75), Ryan Grim ($50), Brett Kressley ($25)
DAN’S DELI HALFWAY LEADER GIFT CERTIFICATE: Cody Manmiller

T.P. TRUCK EQUIPMENT NASCAR SPORTSMAN FIRECRACKER 40 FEATURE FINISH (40 laps): JESSE LANDIS, Dakota Kohler, Jared LaBagh, Addison Meitzler, Jesse Hirthler, Brett Gilmore, Mike Schneck Jr., Dylan Swinehart, Zane Roth, Joey Vaccaro, Adrianna Delliponti, Lawson Szerencits, Mark Gaugler, Logan Bauman, Troy Bollinger, Alex Bartorillo, BJ Joly III, Mark Kemmerer, Brian Hirthler, Gavyn Krupp, Stephen Laubach, Brad Brightbill, Kyle Hartzell, Tyler James, TJ Mayberry, Zach Steffey, Logan Watt, Ronnie Solomon, Ryan Graver, Brett Grim, Parker Guldin

DID NOT QUALIFY: Teague Miller, Kaitlyn Bailey, Kenny Bock, Nate Horn, Stephen Smith III, Mike Stofflet, Nathan Mohr, Mark Mohr, Shannon Slaughter, Steve Young, Colton Perry, Bastian Miller, Brayden Shelton

SDS RACING PHOTOGRAPHY WINNER’S BONUS ($400): Jesse Landis
V & M TOWING WINNER’S BONUS ($400): Jesse Landis
JRN LOGISTICS WINNER’S BONUS ($250): Jesse Landis
MIKE & JILL HORN WINNER’S BONUS ($100): Jesse Landis
CAST IRON CREATIONS WINNER’S BONUS ($100): Jesse Landis
STRINGER’S COLLISION CENTER HEAT WINNERS BONUS ($50 EACH): Jared LaBagh, BJ Joly III, Mark Kemmerer, Gavyn Krupp
FAMILY OF HUNTER IATALESE HEAT WINNERS BONUS ($50 EACH): Jared LaBagh, BJ Joly III, Mark Kemmerer, Gavyn Krupp
JIMBO’S GUTTERS FIFTH PLACE HEAT RACE BONUS ($40 EACH): Joey Vaccaro, Ronnie Solomon, Brad Brightbill, TJ Mayberry
BREITENSTEIN MOTORSPORTS 14th PLACE FINISHER BONUS ($141): Logan Bauman
JIMBO’S GUTTERS 20th PLACE FINISHER BONUS ($50): Gavyn Krupp
FAMILY OF HUNTER IATALESE 22nd PLACE FINISHER BONUS (($200): Brad Brightbill
STRINGER’S COLLISION CENTER 23RD PLACE FINISHER BONUS ($50): Kyle Hartzell
STRINGER’S COLLISION CENTER LEADER ON LAP 23 BONUS ($50): Jesse Landis
HIGH SIDE APPAREL & SPORTSMAN TEAM #777 TJ MAYBERRY HARD CHARGER ($100): Addison Meitzler + 24
ROWE’S GRAPHICS HIGHEST FINISHING NON-WINNER IN 2024 BONUS ($50): Dakota Kohler
VACCARO AUTO BUYERS OF READING 1st ALTERNATE BONUS ($100): Nathan Mohr
V & M TOWING POLESITTER AWARD BONUS ($100): Alex Bartorillo
T.P. TRUCK EQUIPMENT WINNER’S BONUS ($200): Jesse Landis
GRANDVIEW $100 HARD CHARGER: Addison Meitzler +24
PENSKE RACING SHOCKS CERTIFICATES: Jesse Landis ($75), Dakota Kohler ($50), Jared LaBagh ($25)
DAN’S DELI HALFWAY LEADER GIFT CERTIFICATE: Jesse Landis