PALM CITY, Fla. – On Saturday morning, noted USAC midget team owner Frank Manafort passed away at the age of 78 following a battle with cancer, and remembrances came in soon after across social media.
Manafort was one of the quiet, but well-liked owners in the USAC pit area, who fielded some of the most noted current-era drivers in the NOS Energy USAC National Midget Series behind the wheel of his No. 76 machines.
Because of that, many stories and memories flowed in from Manafort’s drivers and peers in the industry, and we’ve compiled a selection of those messages below:
So sad to hear of the passing of Frank Manafort this morning. Racing for FMR has been a highlight of my career. Frank was a great friend and great man. We will miss you my friend. pic.twitter.com/NjMRlwUccC
— Brady Bacon (@BradyBacon) February 1, 2020
Never got to meet Frank, but I thanked him all the time for letting me drive such a badass car with the greatest of guys as a team. https://t.co/K9tlAnQIZg
— Jason McDougal (@jasonmcdougal69) February 1, 2020
Hayward Motorsports extends it's sympathy to the Manafort family and mourns the loss of Frank Manafort. A great ambassador and a great man for USAC Midget Racing. He will be truly missed. #RIP
— Hayward Motorsports (@HMotorsports19) February 1, 2020
Frank Manafort, who’s FMR Racing cars raced to victory lane eight times in USAC @NosEnergyDrink National Midget competition with drivers @BradyBacon & @jasonmcdougal69 over the past four seasons, passed away Saturday at the age of 78.
Read More >> https://t.co/eS9MoCaZ7x pic.twitter.com/MsxtyZR4bN
— USAC Racing (@USACNation) February 1, 2020
So sad to hear of the passing of Frank Manafort this morning. Frank was an amazing car owner for many. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. pic.twitter.com/zymMOGTYgl
— CJ Leary (@CJ_Leary_) February 1, 2020
Such a sad day. Frank was an unbelievable human being. He treated myself and especially my son Tristan like we were family. Frank Manafort was a great partner of @ToyotaRacing and will be deeply missed. RIP Frank. https://t.co/FNJlWrA0Dz
— Andy Graves (@AndyJGraves) February 1, 2020
Thoughts and Prayers for the Manafort family today as they mourn the loss of Frank Manafort. A great ambassador for and great man for USAC Midget Racing . He will be truly missed #RIP
— Gage Rucker (@GageRucker2) February 1, 2020
Sad note here Frank Manafort has passed away after battling cancer . Frank was a racer and and owner and supported many teams and tracks , drivers throughout the northeast and beyond. Modifieds, Sprint cars, midgets and more. #win1forFrank pic.twitter.com/BY5LDwIuhY
— Sprint Cars of New England (@SprintCarsofNE) February 1, 2020
Such sadness, as Frank Manafort was one of the first drivers I ever met at the Plainville Stadium, and a great man and sponsor. https://t.co/wcRIgBMrmV
— Rick Raducha (Rapid) 👩🦽 (@RapidRick) February 1, 2020
The news that I dreaded but was expecting. Thank you Frank Manafort for letting me be part of your Chili Bowl team from day one….Rest in Peace my Friend
— John Doherty (@HeyAbbott19) February 1, 2020