5/21/2024
Alex Pokorski
Pokorski makes 410 premiere at Angell Park, Wilmot awaits
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 21, 2024 – In the midst of his fifth season of 360 Sprint Car action with the Akright Auto Racing Team, Alex Pokorski stepped out of his comfort zone to get his first jolt of 410 Sprint Car competition in his debut appearance with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, May 19.
The West Bend, Wis. driver fired off his 410 Sprint Car career by qualifying 27th in the 29-car field with a lap of 13.065 seconds. Pokorski then started and finished ninth in the third IRA eight-lap heat race to claim the ninth starting spot in the 12-lap B main.
Needing to finish in the top six to earn an A-main berth, the 2023 Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Most Improved Driver Award winner maintained the ninth spot through the first seven laps of the B main before a caution flag was displayed on lap 8 for Tyler Brabant’s spin in turn four, which bunched the field.
Following the restart, Pokorski ducked underneath both Lance Fassbender and Will Gerrits to climb into the seventh spot. Over the final two laps of the race, Pokorski moved in to pressure Kris Spitz for the sixth and final A-main transfer position.
However, Pokorski’s spirited bid to qualify for his first career IRA 410 Sprint Car A main fell just a car length short as he had to settle with a seventh place showing.
“We learned a few things in terms of how to set up the car, and I got the feel of how to drive it as the night progressed,” Pokorski said. “The tires, weight distribution and horsepower are all different in the 410s, so we have plenty to keep learning. We had fun. We look forward to getting back out with the 410 this Saturday at Wilmot.”
On Saturday, May 18, the team competed with the Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars in the Sprint Sprintacular event, which also featured the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Auto Meter Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Series.
Pokorski was the fastest qualifier in the first heat race group and fifth fastest overall in the 25-car field with a lap of 12.635 seconds. Pokorski started fourth and finished third in the first PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car eight-lap heat race to secure the outside second row starting spot in the scheduled 25-lap PDTR-MSA A main.
However, the evening’s 360 Sprint Car main event fell victim to the city of Plymouth’s 11 p.m. curfew. All A-main money and points were evenly distributed to each competitor in the 25-car field.
Paul Pokorski made his first appearance of the 2024 season in the seat of Spyder Akright’s 53A 360 Sprint Car at The Plymouth Dirt Track on May 18.
The 32-year racing veteran did not record a qualifying lap due to a transponder issue. After starting seventh in the third PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race, Pokorski worked past rookie Cody Schlafer to place sixth and fall just short of earning a top-five A-main transfer spot.
The 2014 MSA Masters Series champion did not return to the track for the remainder of the racing program as both the PDTR-MSA B main and A main events were canceled due to the 11 p.m. curfew.
With the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing - Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars idle, the team will compete with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series for the Founders' Night program at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. this Saturday, May 25.
The Auto Meter Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprints are also on the card. Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 5:45 p.m. and racing starting at 6:45 p.m.
Sponsors and supporters for the 2024 Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Mulch Express of Wisconsin, Lynch Buick GMC West Bend, Countryside Designs, Goeden Auto Body, Petersen Septic Systems, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, Professional Plating, Ace Hardware (Kiel and Sheboygan Falls locations), Cedar Valley Hunt Club, Real Estate Property Shop-Sue Erdmann, Bonafide Security Solutions, Novak’s Service Center, 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 –
Mulch Express of Wisconsin
The Alex Pokorski - Akright Auto Racing Team is excited to have Mulch Express of Wisconsin return as a sponsorship partner for the 2024 season.
Based in Newton, Wis., Mulch Express of Wisconsin was founded in 2000 out of a desire to help control the cost and efficiency of installing mulch, bark, soil and playground chips. Over the course of the past 24 years, the specialty landscaping company has found its niche as the to-go mulching provider for municipalities, school districts, commercial businesses and residences throughout Northeastern Wisconsin.
In addition, Mulch Express of Wisconsin has proudly served one of the top motorsports facilities in the world as the official mulch provider of Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., as well as providing mulch services at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.
As a former Wisconsin-based 360 Sprint Car competitor, Mulch Express of Wisconsin owner Russ Wetenkamp is thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team for the 2024 Sprint Car campaign.
"We have a strong connection to Sprint Car racing after several years of competing in the 360 Sprint Car division with the number Gr8 car," Wetenkamp said. "We feel Alex Pokorski is a good, up-and-coming Sprint Car driver and a great individual to represent our Wisconsin-based specialty landscaping company."
To contact or obtain additional information on Mulch Express of Wisconsin, call 920-726-4840, send an email to mulchexpressofwi@gmail.com or visit Mulch Express of Wisconsin on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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 4
Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, May 25 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis. (IRA 410)
Saturday, June 1 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (PDTR-MSA 360)
Sunday, June 2 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis. (MSA 360)
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
360 Sprint Car
2024 Statistics
Total Events – 3
Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Events – 3
Midwest Sprint Car Association Events – 3
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 1
Heat Race Victories – 1
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
410 Sprint Car
2024 Statistics
Total Events – 1
Interstate Racing Association Events – 1
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 0
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Dash Appearances – 0
Dash Victories – 0
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
360 Sprint Car
2024 Statistics
Total Events – 1
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 0
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Article Credit: Jeff Pederson - Pedal Down Promotions
Submitted By: Jeff Pederson
