Kicking off the NHRA Season by Celebrating a Truly Inspiring Community Hero

At Fire Department Coffee, we've always been passionate about serving those who serve. That's why we’re thrilled to resume our partnership with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) as the Official Coffee of the NHRA.

The season began in early March with the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, the traditional kickoff to the NHRA season. We were so excited to get back to the track, hear the roar of the engines, and feel the excitement of race weekend.

We were even more excited for our favorite part of race weekends, celebrating our Community Hero.

In Gainesville, FDC and the NHRA had the pleasure of recognizing Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kristy Manley, who served our nation for 14 years — six in active duty and 8 in the Air Force Reserve.

Kristy's story is nothing short of inspirational. 

She has deployed once to Kuwait and twice to Iraq. Kristy embodies the spirit of service and sacrifice.

With three deployments under her belt, including tours in multiple deployments to Iraq and Kuwait, she embodies the spirit of service and sacrifice. Her dedication to duty earned her a plethora of awards and accolades, showcasing her unwavering commitment to her country.

But Kristy's journey doesn't end with her military service. Transitioning from active duty to civilian life, she pursued her education, earning her associate’s degree and then a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Today, Kristy is an accounting assistant for a condo management rental company.

She lives in Crestview, Florida, with her husband, Brandon, and their daughter, Meredith. At Gatornationals, the three of them took in the race and also had the opportunity to meet NHRA star Antron Brown amid all the festivities.

Fire Dept. Coffee is proud to stand alongside individuals like Kristy Manley, who exemplify the values of courage, dedication, and selflessness. Throughout the 2024 season, we'll be shining a spotlight on these remarkable individuals at races across the country, highlighting their stories and thanking them for their service.