8/1/2023
Alex Pokorski
Pokorski turns in two MSA top fives in Plymouth, Eagle River doubleheader
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 1, 2023 – Another doubleheader weekend of Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Series competition produced two more top-five A-main showings for Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team Friday, July 28 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. and Saturday, July 29 in the MSA series’ debut appearance at Eagle River Speedway in Eagle River, Wis.
Pokorski opened the third annual Road America Challenge Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-MSA 360 Sprint Car event at The Plymouth Dirt Track by recording the second fastest overall qualifying lap in the 25-car field with a time of 13.612 seconds.
After rolling off third in the first eight-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race, Pokorski got pinched low by another car just after the green flag was displayed to the field on the initial start, which caused the fourth-year Sprint Car driver to fall back to seventh in the running order.
However, the West Bend, Wis. competitor battled back by working his way past Bill Taylor, Josh Bilicki, Shane Wenninger and T.J. Smith over the final seven laps of the race to record a third place finish.
After the track crew worked on the very dry and dusty track surface at intermission, Pokorski and his fellow competitors in the large 25-car field were greeted with a vastly different fast and tacky track surface for the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main.
Pokorski started 10th and moved to seventh by lap 5 before moving into the top five by passing Lance Fassbender with a low move in turn one on lap 16. Chris Clayton relegated Pokorski to sixth on lap 22 before the lone caution flag was displayed to the field when Devan Meyers of Bringhurst, Ind. spun in turn four.
On the restart, Pokorski moved up to the high line to work around T.J. Haddy in the closing three laps and secure a fifth place finish in a race won by Ben Schmidt.
“The heat race was a bit frustrating because I felt there should have been a caution thrown on lap one,” Pokorski said. “That put us behind a bit, but luckily we rebounded to third. The feature was fun going from 10th to fifth. I was happy to finish in the top five.”
Paul Pokorski, who made his fifth start of the 2023 season in the seat of Spyder Akright’s 53A car, qualified 16th with a lap of 14.392 seconds before starting ninth and finishing seventh in the first eight-lap PDTR-MSA heat race.
The 31-year veteran started the 25-lap main event 17th and wound up 18th at the finish.
“The night was a little frustrating,” Paul said. “In group qualifying, I felt I was held up a little bit by another car, which put us in a bad spot. That can sort of set up how your night will go. The car was okay, not bad, but not great all night. We will keep digging and having some fun.”
On Saturday, July 29, Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team headed three hours north for the first-ever full-sized Sprint Car race held at Eagle River Speedway.
Once again, Alex posted the second overall qualifying lap in the 17-car field by touring the D-shaped third-mile clay oval in 12.547 seconds.
After lining up fourth in the third eight-lap MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race, Alex spun in turn four on the opening lap. Following a brief visit to the work area, Alex started fourth in the five-car field for a complete restart.
Alex used a strong outside move shortly after the start to sweep past both Tristan Koenings and Kevin Karnitz to nail down second in turn two. Alex closed the gap on leader T.J. Smith over the final few laps before settling for second.
After starting fourth, Alex drove a steady race mainly along the preferred outside groove of the well-manicured semi slick and ultra smooth racing surface to record a fourth place showing in a race won by Ben Schmidt and presented by RC Custom Design.
The fourth place finish was Alex’s eighth top-five and 15th top-10 A-main showing of the 2023 MSA campaign in 16 total events.
“I enjoyed visiting Eagle River Speedway and they prepared a nice surface for us to race on,” Alex said. “Qualifying still seems to be taunting me a bit. We finished second overall both nights this past weekend. I felt the A main went well, but I wish I were more aggressive on the initial start. I had thought about going above the cushion right away, but decided against it. Ben [Schmidt] went for it, and it worked very well for him. I’m glad we put on a good show for the fans there. I'd be happy to go back next year.”
The next race for Alex Pokorski at the Akright Auto Racing Team is this Saturday, Aug. 5 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis., which will also feature the PDTR Grand Nationals and B Mods, along with the IRA Lightning Sprints.
In addition, the event will include a kids’ coin and candy drop courtesy of VanDerVaart Concrete.
Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying set at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.
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 –
Petersen Septic Systems
Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are pleased to have Petersen Septic Systems on board as a returning sponsor for the 2023 racing season.
Since opening its doors in Valders, Wis. in 2012, Petersen Septic Systems LLC has provided premier septic tank service and the most reliable septic system installation and repair in Manitowoc and Two Rivers and the surrounding Lakeshore area.
“We offer our services to industrial, institutional, residential, new construction, commercial and municipal accounts,” Petersen Septic Systems Owner David Petersen said. “Customer service is our utmost priority. We do every job as it was in our own homes. Our experience is second to none in the area. Prior to opening the business, I worked for Tuschl Septic Systems from 2004 until owner Chuck Tuschl retired.”
The list of regular services Petersen Septic Systems offers includes septic pump repairs, test drilling/test boring, sewage treatment systems, septic tank removal, septic tank installation, water line repair, oil testing and perc testing.
“We provide all of these services in Manitowoc County and the surrounding areas,” Petersen said. “We are OSHA certified and are licensed MPRS/CST966051.”
Petersen Septic Systems is located at 7334 Nagel Road in Valders, Wis. For more information, call 920-323-2640, email petersenseptic@gmail.com or visit www.petersensepticsystems.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 Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 5 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 12 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 19 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 16
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 8
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 15
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 16
Heat Race Victories – 2
Fast Qualifier Awards – 1
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 5
Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Article Credit: Jeff Pederson - Pedal Down Promotions
Submitted By: Jeff Pederson
