(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 22, 2023 – One week after turning in a pair of top-five A-main finishes, the father-son driving tandem of Paul and Alex Pokorski each recorded top-10 main event tallies in Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19.
With 20 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars on hand, Alex opened the night strong by earning his second fast qualifier award of the 2023 season with a fast lap of 12.534 seconds around the third-mile semi-banked clay oval.
In the second 10-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race, Alex started fourth and fell back to fifth when Kevin Karnitz snuck past in the early going. The fourth-year 360 Sprint Car racer held down the fifth position throughout the race on the fast and challenging track surface.
Following the calculation of the passing points formula and inversion draw, Alex lined up 16th in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car headliner. The West Bend, Wis. driver put together a solid run through the field, advancing to 12th on lap 3 after sweeping past Tristan Koenings and Katelyn Krebsbach.
The lone caution of the event flew on lap 16 when Koenings stalled along the front stretch. Following the restart, Alex advanced to 10th on lap 19 and maintained the spot over the final six laps to earn his 18th top-10 A-main finish in 19 2023 MSA events in a race won by Brandon McMullen.
“I was happy to get our second quick time award of the year,” Alex said. “It was a bit frustrating to end up fifth in the heat race after starting fourth, but these things happen. I knew it was going to be tough to pass due to the narrow, fast track in the feature. I wanted to make the top 10, and we did end up doing that. We had a nice run in the feature and I feel like we had a car that could've finished in the top five, if we started two rows further up.”
Paul Pokorski qualified Spyder Akright’s 53A car seventh overall in the 20-car field with a lap of 12.782 seconds before lining up on the pole of the second 10-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race. Outside front row starter Tyler Davis got the jump on Paul on the drop of the green flag which resulted in a second place finish for the 31-year open-wheel racing veteran.
For the second week in a row, the 2014 MSA Masters Series champion started on the pole of the 25-lap PDTR-MSA main event before falling to third on the opening lap as Lance Fassbender and Brandon McMullen snuck past in turn two.
Paul held down the third spot until Ben Schmidt moved by following the lone caution of the race on lap 16. With five laps remaining, Paul got sideways coming off of turn two, which caused him to lose several spots.
The three-time Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified champion settled in the ninth position, which is where he finished the race to tally his third top-10 A-main finish of the PDTR-MSA 2023 campaign.
“I was happy with the qualifying effort, as it put us in a good spot for the heat race,” Paul said. “I was a little disappointed that we couldn’t come away with the win in the heat race because I thought the car was pretty good. It was nice to be able to start on the pole of the A main for the second week in a row. Unfortunately, the result wasn’t quite as good. The track had a little bit of character and I missed the set up just a little bit. Then I made a few too many mistakes, which obviously cost us a lot of spots. That was disappointing but we’re in one piece and we will go at it again on Friday at Plymouth.”
Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team will compete in an Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association doubleheader weekend of action starting Friday, Aug. 25 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis., which will also feature the WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour, PDTR Grand Nationals and B Mods.
Paul Pokorski is also scheduled to be in the seat of Spyder Akright’s 53A 360 Sprint Car at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Friday, Aug. 25.
Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. with qualifying set at 6 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 26, Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team will head to Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. for the second MSA 360 Sprint Car event of the 2023 campaign at the three-eighths mile semi-banked clay oval. The Badger Midgets, A Modifieds and Bandits are also on the card.
Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2023 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Mulch Express of Wisconsin, Countryside Designs, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, Homestead Auto, Cedar Valley Hunt Club, Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.
Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Novak’s Service Center
Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 51st year in business in 2023.
Novak’s Service Center is a locally owned, second-generation, family-owned, five-bay auto repair center, which has been serving customers in the Lakeshore area since 1972.
Novak’s Service Center offers comprehensive auto repair services, including 4 x 4 services, brakes, car and truck care, domestic cars and trucks, electrical services, electronic services, engine and transmission, engine maintenance, expired warranty care, general service, heating and cooling services, import cars and trucks, quick lube services, tires, towing, transmission and undercar services.
Located at 1320 Washington St. in Manitowoc, Novak’s Service Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To schedule an appointment, call 920-684-5737 or visit www.novaks1320.com.
Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Akright Auto
Located at 106 North Bluebird Lane in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Akright Auto has served as a reliable source for auto parts since 1940.
With a highly trained staff of auto parts professionals, Akright Auto is well prepared to assist customers with vehicle repair needs with a wide assortment of affordable, high-quality auto parts available on site. If a part is not available, Akright Auto offers next-day delivery services.
In addition, Akright Auto provides full auto salvage services, along with a 90-day standard warranty on all parts purchases.
Contact Akright Auto by phone at 920-467-4201, toll free at 800-400-4201, via email at dakright12@gmail.com or visit www.akrightauto.com.
For more information on Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pokorskimotorsports or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.
Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.
For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.
Alex Pokorski - Akright Auto Racing Team
2023 Remaining Schedule
Friday, Aug. 25 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 26 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.
Friday, Sept. 1 – Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, Beaver Dam, Wis.
Saturday, Sept. 2 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Sept. 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 19
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 9
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 18
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 19
Heat Race Victories – 2
Fast Qualifier Awards – 2
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 7
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 3
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 4
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
- Jeff Pederson on Aug 23, 2023
- Article Date: 8/23/2023 by Jeff Pederson - Pedal Down Promotions