Pokorski Motorsports rock solid in double dip weekend
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 20, 2016 – Coming off of a season-best runner-up showing at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam on Friday, July 8, the Paul Pokorski Motorsports team entered last weekend’s Midwest Sprint Car Association doubleheader at Manitowoc Speedway and the Plymouth Dirt Track with some all-important momentum on its side.
While the team’s A-main results may not have been overly flashy, (6th at Manitowoc, 11th at Plymouth) it was a solid weekend all around for the 24-year veteran West Bend driver and his dedicated crew.
On Friday, July 15, a total of 21 MSA Sprint Cars checked into the pit area at the Manitowoc Speedway for the third of six scheduled appearances at the track, which will be demolished a season’s end to make way for a Meijer store.
Pokorski started sixth in the second Sprint Car heat race and a fast start vaulted him to fourth, after passing Josh Teunissen in turn two. He then bolted by Doug Wondra to grab third place coming out of turn four on the opening lap.
Pokorski then held the third position the rest of the way, finishing behind second place Kurt Davis and heat winner Brandon McMullen.
The 2014 Midwest Sprint Car Association Masters Series champion drew the sixth starting position in the 25-lap main event.
Pokorski passed Al Schlafer to move into fifth and then maneuvered around Brandon McMullen along the high groove to seize fourth place on lap 4. As the leaders encountered slower traffic on lap 4, McMullen snuck past Pokorski, relegating the 2008 MSA Rookie of the Year to fifth place.
Pokorski maintained fifth place, until the final restart of the race following a caution on lap 23. On the restart, he fell back to seventh, as Wayne Modjeski and Lance Fassbender slipped past. However, he battled back to pass Fassbender at the line to place sixth in the final running order.
“Friday night at Manitowoc was a good night for us,” Pokorski said. “I made a poor choice on the final restart in the A man and that cost us a spot in the end. The car was not as good as the previous visit to Manitowoc with the IRA. I have a couple of theories why and we’ll keep working on it.”
The team then traveled to the Plymouth Dirt Track for PDTR Sprint Car action, which drew a stout field of 30 Sprint Cars.
Pokorski started sixth in the fourth Sprint Car heat race before passing Dick Kaiser on the opening laps to move into fifth place. Pokorski maintained the fifth position on the dry, slick track surface over the final nine laps to finish fifth in the final rundown.
As the final car to qualify for the A main based on passing points during the heat races, Pokorski started 16th in the A main. A good start propelled Pokorski to 12th place on lap 2. After racing closely with Spyder Akright and Ben Schmidt for a few laps, Pokorski passed Spyder Akright to claim the 11th position.
However, Pokorski dropped back to 13th, after a nifty move by Ben Schmidt on lap 13. Moments later Schmidt dropped out after stalling in turn four.
After restarting 13th, Doug Wondra slipped past Pokorski to move the West Bend racer to 14th. However, eight laps later, Pokorski battled back to pass Wondra for 13th.
After a lap 22 caution for a spin involving Brandon McMullen, who had led the race throughout, Pokorski executed a few more passes, advancing to 12th on lap 22 and slipping past Spyder Akright again to finish 11th in the final rundown.
Tim Haddy captured his second EWSC main event triumph, after inheriting the lead following McMullen’s spin in turn four on lap 22.
Chris Clayton was second, Donny Goeden claimed third place, followed by Jim Melis and Andrew Westphal placed fifth.
Pokorski indicated that track conditions did not yield much passing in the A main.
“On Saturday night, the track was smooth, but it rubbered up in the A main,” Pokorski said. “That’s never good, especially considering how far back in the pack we started.”
This coming weekend will feature one race at the Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 23, which will include bonus money up for grabs in the Sprint Car division with the A main paying a cool $1,300 to win.
“I generally don’t get too excited about the money,” Pokorski said. “I’ll only think about it if I’m leading and we get a yellow with two to go. Then I would have time to think about losing it!”
This Saturday also autograph night, which is a favorite event each year for the fan-friendly Pokorski Motorsport team.
“I think every night is for the fans,” Pokorski said. “That is something our team has always believed in and will continue to. We always look forward to seeing all the fans who come to our pit area after the races.”
The Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program is scheduled to being at 6 p.m. Sheboygan County Fair Park is location at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth. For more information, visit www.plymouthdtr.com or check out Plymouth Dirt Track Racing on Facebook.
Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Goeden’s Auto Body
Goeden’s Auto Body, located at 2417 Highway 28 East in Kewaskum, has been in business since 1971. In 2015, David “Dusty” Goeden took over ownership of the family-owned business.
Goeden’s Auto Body specializes in quality, top-notch auto body repair, with a focus on collision work. Goeden’s also offer classic vehicle restoration and rust repair, and will work with all insurance companies. Goeden’s Auto Body uses PPG paints and clear coats, offers towing services and a locked fenced storage area. Continuing the Goeden’s Auto Body tradition, free loaner cars are also available.
“At Goeden’s Auto Body, we were born to perform. With over 50 years of doing business and our racing involvement on and off the track, we know how to treat our customers like winners. With every job, we push ourselves to improve our performance and deliver a winning product. We work with all insurance companies, provide free computerized estimates and loaner vehicles while we repair your vehicle. Give us a call when you need a tow or some auto body work. Remember you, not your insurance company, have the right to choose where to take your vehicle for repairs.” – Dave “Dusty” Goeden, Goeden’s Auto Body owner.
For more information on Goeden’s Auto Body, call 262-334-2759 or e-mail goedenauto@gmail.com.
Pokorski Motorsports would like to direct special recognition to R&H Enterprises, Goeden’s Auto Body, Christel Sign and Goodwin Racing Engines for helping to get the team’s new 2016 Maxim on the track this season.
The Pokorski Motorsports sponsors for the 2016 season include: Goeden's Auto Body, Goodwin Racing Engines, Jens, Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Services & Crematory, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Novak's Service Center, Pedal Down Promotions, Christel Sign, Tisler Salvage Inc. and The Cawley Company.
For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromotions.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.pedaldownpromotions.com or call 920-323-7970.
2016 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, July 23 – Plymouth Dirt Track (MSA)
Friday, July 29 – Manitowoc Speedway (MSA)
Saturday, July 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track (MSA)
Friday, August 5 – Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam (MSA)
Saturday, August 6 – Plymouth Dirt Track (MSA)
2016 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers
Total Events – 15
MSA events – 12
IRA events - 3
A Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 3
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 7
Heat Race Victories - 3
- Jeff Pederson on Jul 20, 2016
- Article Date: 7/20/2016 by Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions