(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 29, 2023 – Alex Pokorski put his measured aggressive driving style on full display by successfully executing a decisive final-turn pass to guide his No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team machine to a spot on the podium with an impressive third place finish in the 25-lap Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 25.
The fourth year PDTR-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car campaigner opened the special Friday night Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program by qualifying seventh in the 21-car field with a lap of 13.002 seconds.
Pokorski then used his outside front row starting spot to lead all 10 laps of the second PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race en route to his third heat race triumph of the 2023 season.
The West Bend, Wis. competitor rolled off fourth in the 25-lap 360 Sprint event and worked his way past Tristan Koenings to settle into third on the opening lap. On lap 9, Ben Schmidt maneuvered past to push Pokorski back to fourth in the running order.
A caution flag flew on lap 24 for the stalled car of Chris Clayton, which set up a two-lap dash to the finish. After trailing Chris Larson for a number of laps, Pokorski set sail along the high line on the final lap to surge past Larson exiting turn four on the way to a strong third place showing in a race won by Brandon McMullen.
It was Pokorski's fifth top-three podium, 10th top-five and 19th top-10 A-main finish in 21 MSA 360 Sprint Car Series events.
“It was a fun night at Plymouth,” Pokorski said. “I was happy to win the heat race, and it felt good to race into the top three in the last corner of the feature.”
One night later, Pokorski and the members of the Akright Auto Racing Team travelled south to Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. for the second of two 2023 Akright Auto MSA 360 Sprint Car Series appearances at the venerable three-eighths mile semi-banked clay oval facility.
With wet and heavy track conditions prompting the cancellation of MSA group qualifying, Pokorski drew the pole starting position in the fourth eight-lap MSA heat race. Pokorski got the jump on outside front row starter John Fahl to lead all eight laps on the way to his fourth heat race triumph of the 2023 season.
Pokorski then started the 25-lap MSA main event from the fifth position before he was involved in a three-car incident along the front stretch on lap 3, which also involved Chris Larson and Lance Fassbender.
The red-flag incident produced significant front-end damage on Pokorski's No. 4 car, which prompted pit crew members from the MSA teams of Brandon Berth, Brandon McMullen and J.J. Pagel to leap into action to assist the Akright Auto Racing Team pit crew in getting Pokorski's machine back on the track.
Pokorski returned to restart 19th. Over the final 22 laps, Pokorski moved up five positions to record a 14th place finish in a race won by Ben Schmidt.
“Our night at Wilmot started well, as we picked up another heat race win,” Pokorski said. “In the feature, two cars got tangled up in front of me and I jumped a right rear tire trying to avoid them. My crew, along with some others, did some nice work to get me back on the track in time. I raced the remainder of the feature with a bent front axle and ended up 14th. I was hoping to get another two spots or so, but I was glad we got a few spots back after the incident.”
Paul Pokorski was also behind the wheel of Spyder Akright's 53A car for the eighth time during the 2023 at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Friday, Aug. 25.
After qualifying eighth overall with a lap of 13.004 seconds. Paul started first and finished fourth in the first 10-lap PDTR-MSA heat race.
Paul then rolled off 14th in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA headliner before he was involved in an opening-lap incident when Katelyn Krebsbach spun in turn two. After going to the work area following minor contact, Paul returned to restart 21st.
The 2014 MSA Masters Series champion battled back to build up some nice momentum during an extended run of green-flag laps on the way to a solid 13th-place showing.
“My qualifying effort was about what I expected,” Paul said. “I was disappointed with the heat race finish. We were dealing with some minor handling issues that I think we have figured out so we don’t repeat them. We made several changes for the feature, which made the car pretty decent. I was disappointed with the trip to the work area, but I wanted to make sure the car was okay after some light contact with a spinning car. I was happy that I was able to drive past several cars and work my way back up to one spot better than I originally started. All things considered, it wasn’t a terrible night. I’ll be back in the car on Friday at Dodge County.”
Both Paul and Alex Pokorski are expected to be in action with the Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars, which will join the with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and A Modifieds for the annual Harry Neitzel Tribute event at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 1.
Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with warm ups at 6 p.m. followed by hot laps and qualifying with opening ceremonies at 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Sept. 2, Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team will take part in the annual all-Sprint Car event held during the 2023 Sheboygan County Fair along with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series on Saturday, Sept. 2.
On-track action is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. with hot laps, qualifying and racing to follow.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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 – 21
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 10
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 19
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 21
Heat Race Victories – 4
Fast Qualifier Awards – 2
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 8
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 – 5
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
- Jeff Pederson on Aug 30, 2023
- Article Date: 8/30/2023 by Jeff Pederson - Pedal Down Promotions