Tony Manns Jr drives a Hauler for Front Row Motorsports. His TikTok Bio also says that he is a Wood Worker. You can follow him on TikTok where he posts amazing behind the scenes videos and hosts live streams.
Were you already a truck driver before becoming the driver of a NASCARÂ Hauler? Got my CDL in 2015. Started in NASCAR in January of 2020. This is my 3rd year and 2nd organization.
Do you watch the race every weekend or do you do other things while the race is happening? I work pits during the race. I do the stop sign, roll and catch tires as well as help in other things and when there’s 20 laps left I’ll take the cooler and start the loading process.Â
What is the strangest thing that has happened to you while driving from track to track? People following me. For hours.
Does the team provide you with a hotel during the race weekend or do you sleep in your truck? We sleep in hotels. Sometimes we park/unload late at night and will stay in the trucks but not often. Once car is off the trailer nobody’s allowed in the garage at night so definitely hotel then.Â
What’s the worst thing about being a NASCAR hauler driver? Unappreciated. While you’re the truck driver that’s all most see you as. You do ALOT and assist the team in so many ways that they don’t understand or appreciate. Also the pay isn’t great for the hours and long shifts you put in.Â
What else do you do besides drive the hauler? Do you have other work duties? Your responsibility’s are anything about the hauler, that’s cleaning it, making sure it’s stocked with food and drinks, coolers, supplies for toolbox or car, being one step ahead of the team to prep for practice or the race. Haulers set garages up and the haulers at the track. Keep coolers stocked and iced all weekend and maintain crews radios.Â
You have children. Are they into the NASCAR scene at all? Yes and they are fans but not old enough to be in the business.Â
Have you drove for any other teams? RWR gave me my start and a fellow hauler driver “Brian Bingham” trained me to do about everything. He was in the business a long time and showed me the ropes. FRM needed a driver this season so I come over. Where I’ll land next who knows. Teams are getting on board to take better care of their hauler drivers and that’s where they are going. Better pay, benefits and not being over worked.
What’s the best part of being a hauler driver? The fans are a huge part of it. They are the only ones who acknowledge who we are most of the time. Also it’s the hauler driver group. There’s some that in 3 years have never spoke to me because I guess I’m not good enough but there’s 25 of us that hangout, talk on the phone and cut up weekly. It keeps spirits up and we don’t miss home as much. Those 2 things are what’s best about the job.Â
Follow Tony:
TikTok:Â Click Here
Twitter:Â Click Here
Loved the story, I actually always wanted to learn about the drivers! I must admit Ive always been fascinated by trucks and love to watch the hauler parades on you tube!