Author: Jeff Pederson

Your fast track connection

Mueller shares story of son’s loss, renewed purpose and legislative mission in debut poetry book

Angel Mueller’s first book “Wheels Up – Grief to Peace” features poems inspired by her late son Dillon Mueller, who died in 2014 following an undiagnosed allergic reaction to a bee sting.

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 21, 2021 – After losing her 18-year-old son, Dillon, to an undiagnosed allergic reaction to a bee sting in 2014, Mishicot, Wis. resident Angel Mueller found comfort and clarity in writing religious-based poetry as a way to work through her grief.

Nearly seven years after Dillon’s passing, Mueller has released her debut poetry book “Wheels Up – Grief to Peace,” inspired by Dillon’s live-in-the-moment youthful vigor and uncanny ability to engage people through his dynamic personality. The book also chronicles Mueller’s complex process of dealing with the deep-seated feelings associated with her youngest son’s sudden death.

Published by Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wis, Mueller’s first book release is designed to help others dealing with the loss of a loved one, provide a glimpse into Dillon’s short, but impactful life and continue the mission of Dillon’s Law by pursuing similar life-saving epinephrine legislation throughout the United States.

“The suffocating, unbearable pain of losing my 18-year-old son, Dillon, to an undiagnosed bee sting allergy is what led me to write these poems,” Mueller said. “They are more like prayers on paper, gifted to me by God. It was when I was emotionally at my worst, the urge to write came on strong.  The poems in the book are  in order as I wrote them so the reader will journey along with me from ‘Grief to Peace.’

“The tone of my poems start out very gloomy and dismal, expressing the indescribable gut-wrenching pain I was feeling,” she said. “Next comes the ‘aha’ moment and divine words of wisdom which comforted me. Every single poem will leave the reader feeling inspired and hopeful. These words came to me straight from Heaven, so quickly, that I grabbed whatever was close to write with and on, including napkins. The message is, ‘We are never alone.’ The tiniest bit of positivity or faith, whatever the reader wants to call it, can spark the slightest motivation to slowly lift ones foot to take the very next step. How we carry our burdens, and we all have them, can make the trip as easy or hard as we choose. We are ultimately, with God’s help, in charge of the destination.  I chose peace.”

Angel Mueller of Mishicot, Wis. has released her first book “Wheels Up – Grief to Peace,” which features a collection of poems inspired by her late son, Dillon, who passed away at age 18 following an undiagnosed bee sting allergic reaction in 2014. – Photo by Paula E. Schoeffel

After engaging in various forms of writing as a hobby throughout her life,  “Wheels Up – Grief to Peace” serves as a launching pad for what Mueller hopes will be a lengthy career as an author.

“I have written a little poetry prior to this mostly in the form of children’s stories to tell my kids at bedtime,” Mueller said. “I was always good at language arts and spelling, calling myself the ‘word girl’ before it was a real character. Telling made-up stories to our boys when they were small is a fond memory I will cherish forever.”

Mueller says the process of transforming her very raw and personal poems into a professional published book for public consumption included a substantial learning curve.

“The process leading to publication of these poems into book form was not an easy one for me,” she said. “For a few years, I had been daydreaming about turning these poems into a book, or even music. Sharing my poetry on Facebook and word-of-mouth lead me to Pedal Down Promotions. With their guidance, I took the steps necessary to convert my hurried writing, which looked like chicken scratch, into typed material. From there, I needed to proofread them several times, not so much to correct spelling errors, but to add necessary punctuation to ensure the reader feels the exact same emotion I was feeling at that moment. Revisiting these writings stirred up emotions with a peaceful intensity and a tear here and there, but I soon realized I am still Dillon’s mom and I still love and miss him every day.

“I also wanted to add pictures throughout the book to depict Dillon’s personality,” Mueller said. “These photos and Dillon deserve an honorable caption. This was grueling for me as I struggled with ‘self-imposed’ responsibility to make the ‘essence’ of Dillon palatable.  I was reassured, through prayer, that it would all be ‘just right.’”

Mueller’s ultimate goal in releasing “Wheels Up – Grief to Peace” is to provide inspiration and renewed purpose to those that may be dealing with pain, grief and any form of loss in their lives.

“My main goal in publishing this book first and foremost is to offer hope to those who may feel there is no way out,” Mueller said. “Losing a child in the prime of their life to such an extraordinary event can throw anyone into a deep dark place with no life preserver available. This book of heartfelt, spiritually intuitive poetry is a life preserver I’m throwing to those who feel there is no way out of that dark place, no matter what circumstances put them there.

“The second goal in publishing this book is to open the eyes of every reader and their family and friends to the fact that allergies are real,” she said. “Allergies can be fatal. There is a common sense solution, easily delivered, at little cost, that has already been proven to save lives. Dillon’s Law NEEDS to be nationwide. Get trained. Carry epinephrine. Save a life. Let’s do it for Dillon.”

Through her drive, determination and talent for public speaking, Mueller is aiming to share her book with the public without rest until her mission is complete.

“Looking ahead I hope to promote this book across the state and the nation,” Mueller said. “Book signings and personal presentations are my goal.  I hope to see this story offered in churches, libraries, clubs and support groups of all kinds. This is a story which needs to be told. My hope is that this topic of death, grief and healing and by divine intervention will open the flood gates to legislation across the country. The Amber Alert was our template. That was birthed from tragedy. This too can do the same. ‘Something good from something bad, it’s the only dream I ever had.’”

Mueller will hold a book launch party for “Wheels Up – Grief to Peace” on Saturday, May 22 at Port Sandy Bay, located at 6421 County Road O in Two Rivers from noon to 3:30 p.m. Mueller will be signing copies of the book, which will be available for purchase during the drop-in event.

“Wheels Up – Grief to Peace” is now available for purchase for $17 at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or by contacting Angel Mueller directly at brothersracing@live.com.

Additional information on Dillon’s Law can be found by visiting www.epifordilly.com.

For more information, contact Pedal Down Promotions via email at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, by phone at 920-323-7970 or by visiting www.pedaldownpromo.com.

April 21, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Mechanical gremlin cuts short promising opener for Pokorski Motorsports

Paul Pokorski (4) passes Al Schlafer (26) during the 2021 season-opening Midwest Sprint Car Association Jim Wipperfurth Memorial at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, April 17. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 20, 2021 – After showing plenty of speed in the early stages of the first night of the 29th season of competition for the Pokorski Motorsports team, a mechanical malady spelled an early ending to the main event for veteran driver Paul Pokorski during the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association season-opening Jim Wipperfurth Memorial at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, April 17.

Pokorski was among 34 drivers to sign in for the 2021 MSA season opener at the Beaver Dam Raceway facility, which served as the birthplace of the Winged 360 Sprint Car division in Southeastern Wisconsin in 1996.

The 2014 MSA Masters Series champion opened the night behind the wheel of the team’s newly acquired 2020 Maxim by drawing the third starting spot in the first 10-lap heat race. Pokorski used a strong start to bolt underneath outside front row starter Bill Taylor to secure the second spot in the first turn of the opening lap.

Pokorski quickly settled into the runner-up spot behind race leader Tyler Davis, while Davis’ father, Kurt, moved into to briefly pressure Pokorski for second on lap 2. Pokorski maintained the second spot until the yellow flag appeared on lap 7 for the spinning car of Scott Conger in turn two.

On the restart, Pokorski pulled away from Kurt Davis and reeled in Tyler Davis in the closing laps before settling for second to secure a spot in the 25-lap A main.

“The car was pretty amazing for having never turned a lap in it until hot laps,” Pokorski said. “I was very happy with it in the heat race.”

Pokorski lined up ninth in the 22-car A-main field and fell back to 13th in the running order along the inside groove in the early going. On lap 4, Pokorski moved up to the high groove and quickly worked his way into the top 10.

On lap 12, Adam Miller pulled off a slide job to take 10th away from Pokorski in turn two. Second later, Pokorski fell off the pace and pulled into the infield with an apparent mechanical issue. Pokorski was credited with a 20th place finish in the final running order in a race won by Ben Schmidt.

“In the A main, the engine began to stumble,” Pokorski said. “I’m reasonably sure it was just the main fuel shut off valve vibrating shut. It’s a  minor gremlin and an easy fix, so we should be good to go this Saturday at Gravity Park.”

Paul Pokorski is set to return to action behind the wheel of the familiar No. 4 Pokorski Motorsports 360 Sprint Car for an MSA event at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton on Saturday, April 24. Sport Mods, 4-Cylinders and Street Stocks are also on the card.

Pit gates open at 3 p.m., the grandstand opens at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing starting at 6 p.m.

Sponsors and supporters for the 2021 Pokorski Motorsports team are Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Goodwin Racing Engines, Hopf Farms, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Novak’s Service Center, Tisler Salvage Inc., Allied Bearing Corporation, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Petersen Septic Systems

Pokorski Motorsports is pleased to have Petersen Septic Systems step into the role of primary sponsor for the 2021 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.

For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook 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.

2021 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers

Total Events – 1

MSA events – 1

IRA events – 0

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 0

Top Five A Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0

Heat Race Victories – 0

2021 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule

Saturday, April 24 – Gravity Park Speedway, Chilton, Wis.

Saturday, May 1 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Friday, May 7 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Saturday, May 8 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, May 15 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

April 20, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Last-corner pass nets Schmidt MSA Jim Wipperfurth Memorial victory

2011 Midwest Sprint Car Association champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove earned his 27th career MSA A-main victory in the 2021 season-opening Jim Wipperfurth Memorial main event at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, April 17. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 17, 2021 – Former Midwest Sprint Car Association champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove pulled off a thrilling last corner pass to outduel hard-charging Sheboygan competitor Travis Arenz and secure a 2021 season-opening victory in the 25-lap Akright Auto Parts of Sheboygan Falls Midwest Sprint Car Association Jim Wipperfurth Memorial A-main at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, April 17.

The first event of the 23rd season of MSA series competition drew 34 entrants to Beaver Dam Raceway, which served as the birthplace of Winged 360 Sprint Car racing in Southeastern Wisconsin in 1996.

Polesitter Tim Haddy of Mayville, who has been racing Winged 360 Sprint Cars since the division’s inception at Beaver Dam Raceway in 1996, jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag as fourth starter Ben Schmidt, who captured the 2011 MSA title, bolted into second and Travis Arenz moved up from his sixth starting spot to slide into third on the opening circuit.

On lap 3, Schmidt moved in to pressure Haddy for the top spot. Two laps later, Schmidt pulled off a slide job in turn two to briefly seize the lead before Haddy battled back along the fast middle groove to regain the top spot in turn four.

Haddy and Schmidt continued their side-by-side duel until Schmidt finally gained control of the lead exiting turn four on lap 7. Four laps later, Arenz made his presence felt as he worked the high groove to surge ahead of the low riding Haddy before the first of two caution flags was displayed for a spin involving Josh Teunissen in turn four on lap 12.

On the restart, five-time MSA champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee spun in turn two and collected Justin Miller of Plymouth, Jason Johnson of Campbellsport, Waupun’s Will Gerrits and MSA rookie Matt Rechek of Beaver Dam. Davis, Miller, Johnson and Rechek were able to continue, but Gerrits was done for the night.

When the race resumed, Arenz went to the cushion to challenge Schmidt, who was stuck to the middle line of the multi-groove third-mile facility. On lap 19, Arenz finally pounced as he bolted around Schmidt with a high move in turn two.

Two laps later, Arenz began to encounter heavy lapped traffic, which allowed Schmidt to cut the gap considerably. As Arenz was forced to deal with a pair of slower cars racing side-by-side just ahead of him, Schmidt moved to within striking distance on the white flag lap.

Schmidt used a huge run down the backstretch on the final lap to pull even with Arenz along the inside groove in turn three and sweep into the lead in turn four en route to his 27th career MSA A-main victory.

Arenz had to settle for second, Haddy took third, two-time MSA champion Danny Schlafer of Sussex took third after starting eighth and 2005 MSA champ Lance Fassbender of Burnett charged up from the 15th starting spot to finish fifth.

Heat race victories went to Tyler Davis of South Milwaukee, Tim Haddy, Kevin Karnitz of West Bend and Danny Schlafer.

Austin Hartmann of Plymouth claimed his first career MSA race victory in the 15-lap B main.

The next race on the 2021 Akright Auto Parts of Sheboygan Midwest Sprint Car Association schedule is Saturday, April 24 at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton. The program will also feature Sport Mods, 4-Cylinders and Street Stocks.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through a diverse array of promotional strategies and methods, including 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.

 

Midwest Sprint Car Association

Beaver Dam Raceway

Beaver Dam, Wis.

April 17, 2021

HEAT 1

1, Tyler Davis 2, Paul Pokorski 3, Kurt Davis 4, Al Schlafer 5, Matt Rechek 6, Scott Conger 7, Preston Ruh 8, Bill Taylor 9, Tyler Tischendorf.

 

HEAT 2

1, Tim Haddy 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Nick Daywalt 4, Blake Wondra 5, Lance Fassbender 6, Spyder Akright 7, Ken Schmick 8, Justin Erickson (DNS) 9, Tom Kreutz (DNS).

 

HEAT 3

1, Kevin Karnitz 2, Will Gerrits 3, Jack Vanderboom 4, Josh Teunissen 5, Austin Hartmann 6, Chris Larson 7, Doug Wondra 8, Tommy Colburn.

 

HEAT 4

1, Danny Schlafer 2, Travis Arenz 3, Justin Miller 4, Jason Johnson 5, Tyler Brabant 6, Katelyn Krebsbach 7. Adam Miller 8, Mike Yurmanovich.

 

B MAIN

1, Austin Hartmann 2, Blake Wondra 3, Preston Ruh 4, Adam Miller 5, Tyler Brabant 6, Jason Johnson 7, Scott Conger 8, Chris Larson 9. Mike Yurmanovich 10, Spyder Akright 11, Tom Kreutz 12, Katelyn Krebsbach 13, Ken Schmick.

 

A MAIN

1, Ben Schmidt 2, Travis Arenz 3, Tim Haddy 4, Danny Schlafer 5, Lance Fassbender 6, Adam Miller 7, Jack Vanderboom 8, Kevin Karnitz 9, Matt Rechek 10, Kurt Davis 11, Justin Miller 12, Austin Hartmann 13, Blake Wondra 14, Tyler Davis 15. Jason Johnson 16, Josh Teunissen 17, Al Schlafer 18, Nick Daywalt 19, Will Gerrits 20, Paul Pokorski 21, Preston Ruh 22, Tyler Brabant.

 

April 18, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

New book brings history of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing to life

The new book “70 Years of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” by Dennis Darovich and George Baumann covers every season of racing action at the dirt track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. from 1950 through the 2020 season.

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 14, 2021 – Boasting a rich, colorful and sometimes even controversial history, the sport of dirt track racing is ripe for remembering fondly and treasuring thoroughly.

Drawing off the close competition, big personalities and heated rivalries that have formed the firm foundation the grassroots sport of dirt track racing, a new book titled “70 Years of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Covering the 1950 through 2020 Seasons” traces all the twists and turns of every season of racing action to date at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds dirt track facility in Plymouth, Wis.

Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Racing Historian Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, Wis. and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Historian George Baumann of Waupun, Wis. have teamed up to chronicle all of the vivid details through a season-by-season account, which features a total of 183 photos, 140 of which appear in color.

Additional highlights of the 246-page full-color book, published by Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wis., include a chapter devoted to women in racing, final point standings for each season between 1950 to 2020, driver photograph identification pages and human interest stories.

“This book provides the definitive Plymouth dirt track racing history,” Darovich said. “It covers all of the years from 1950 and 2020, which makes it very comprehensive for anyone that has an interest in the history Plymouth track from way back in the beginning years all the way up until the 2020 season. It will be available at the track for purchase throughout the 2021 season. It is a must have for any stock car racing enthusiast.”

Plymouth Dirt Track Racing has thrown their full support behind the “70 Years of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Covering the 1950 through 2020 Seasons” book project with additional backing coming from Vintage Modified Stock Car, Partners in Success Networking Group, the family of Tom “T.J.” Ott and Klips & Tips of Plymouth.

“George and Dennis have done an excellent job of covering the history of racing in Plymouth,” Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Marketing and Promotions Director Bill Weinaug said. “I believe the fans will also enjoy the pictorial history as well.”

In addition to being on sale for $25 during 2021 racing events at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis., “70 Years of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Covering the 1950 through 2020 Seasons” is also available in e-book and paperback formats on barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com. Premium color paperback editions of the book are available for purchase exclusively on amazon.com.

Additional information on Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and the upcoming 2021 PDTR racing season can be found at www.plymouthdtr.com.

For more information, contact Pedal Down Promotions via email at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, by phone at 920-323-7970 or by visiting www.pedaldownpromo.com.

April 14, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Father-son driving tandem set to guide Pokorski Motorsports in swan song season

Alex (left) and Paul (right) Pokorski will share the seat of the No. 4 Pokorski Motorsports 360 Sprint Car during the team’s final season of competition in 2021. – Pokorski Motorsports photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 6, 2021 – While the 2020 season was supposed to be the last go-around for the Pokorski Motorsports 360 Sprint Car team, the condensed campaign brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic enticed the team to add one more complete year of action to its extensive racing resume.

For the team’s 29th and last season operating as Pokorski Motorsports, 29-year open wheel racing veteran Paul Pokorski will once again share seat time with his 22-year-old son, Alex, who will be entering his second season of 360 Sprint Car competition.

The highlight of the shortened 2020 came on the opening night of the season at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. when Paul outdueled Tyler Brabant and Travis Arenz to park the familiar blue No. 4 car in victory lane for the 46th time in his career and 11th time behind the wheel of a 360 Sprint Car.

One week later, Alex jumped into the seat for the first time at The Plymouth Dirt Track to begin his rookie campaign in the 360 Sprint Car ranks.

Overall, the team competed in 18 total events in 2020 with one A-main victory, one B-main victory, one top-five A-main finish and three top-10 A-main finishes.

Paul competed in 10 events, racking up one A-main victory, one top-five A-main showing and three-top 10 A-main finishes.

“Overall, the season was fun,” Paul said. “It’s hard getting out of the car because I still have a passion for driving, but it’s also very satisfying to help your kids do something that they enjoy and excel at as well. I look forward to doing it again in 2021.”

Alex ran in eight events while qualifying for three A mains and earning one B-main victory during his rookie season in a 360 Sprint Car in 2020.

“The highlight of the 2020 season was definitely winning the B main at Plymouth,” Alex said. “In my go-karting career, I was used to being fast and contending to win races every week, so it felt good to finally be able to do that in a Sprint Car. The last night of the season would be a night I would re-do if I were able to do so. I think I could’ve been a lot better in the A main and would like to race against my dad again. For the 2021 season, I want to learn to run the cushion, be better on dry slick tracks and make A mains more consistently.”

The Pokorski Motorsports team ended up 24th in the final 2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association (MSA) point standings and 25th in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing (PDTR) point standings.

“Over the winter we made some changes to a car we had to make it fit Alex better and to give him more head room for safety,” Paul said. “We also acquired 2020 Maxim chassis from another team to use as our primary car. Other than that, we just did the routine of cleaning things up and checking things out before putting them all back together.”

The team intends to race most of the MSA and PDTR 360 Sprint Car schedule in 2021.

“We will run the majority of the MSA events,” Paul said. “However, we’re not really racing for points. We are racing because we want to and because we want to support the MSA and the good things it is doing for Sprint Car racing.”

The 2021 campaign will begin with the Jim Wipperfurth Memorial event for the MSA Sprint Cars at the Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, April 17 with Paul set to be behind the wheel of the Pokorski Motorsports entry.

“We are planning on being ready for the MSA opener at Beaver Dam Raceway,” Paul said. “We’ve had pretty decent luck there over the years and I’m looking forward to what may be my last race there.

“As far as driving the car between Alex and myself, we plan to do it a lot like last year,” he said. “I’m going to drive the first three or four weeks and then once Alex is done with college finals, he’ll take over for the majority of the summer. If he can’t make it for some work-related reason, then I’ll drive myself. We will probably skip one or two events for family vacation time. Although at this point, we have no plans for that specifically.”

For those wondering if the final year of Pokorski Motorsports will include a pair of blue No. 4 cars on the track on the same night, Paul is generally non-committal at this point, while not ruling out the possibility.

Paul and Alex each competed in the 2020 MSA season finale at The Plymouth Dirt Track with both Pokorski Motorsports drivers qualifying for the A main.

“As far as Alex and myself both racing on the same night this year, if we still have two cars and two motors left coming down to the last two nights, we might try to work something out,” Pokorski said.

Sponsors for the 2021 Pokorski Motorsports team are Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden’s Auto Body, Goodwin Racing Engines, Hopf Farms, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Novak’s Service Center, Tisler Salvage Inc., Allied Bearing Corporation and Pedal Down Promotions.

“Many of our sponsors are back from last year,” Paul said. “Peterson Septic Systems stepped up big time and would be considered our primary sponsor for 2021.”

As Pokorski Motorsports embarks on its 29th and final campaign, Paul is hoping for an enjoyable season for all involved with the long-running team.

“My hope is that we can make it through the season without any major setbacks, such as crashes or engine problems,” Paul said. “If we can race most of the nights and have fun doing it, I’ll consider that a success. In the fall, we will put everything up for sale and then start figuring out what’s next for 2022.”

Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Petersen Septic Systems

Pokorski Motorsports is pleased to have Petersen Septic Systems step into the role of primary sponsor for the 2021 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 or 920-758-2626, email petersenseptic@gmail.com or visit http://www.petersensepticsystems.com.

For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook 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.

 

2020 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers

Total Events – 18

MSA events – 17

IRA events – 0

A Main Victories – 1

B Main Victories – 1

Top Five A Main Finishes – 1

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 3

Heat Race Victories – 0

MSA points finish – 24th

PDTR points finish – 25th

2021 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule

Saturday, April 17 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis

Saturday, April 24 – Gravity Park Speedway, Chilton, Wis.

Saturday, May 1 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Plymouth, Wis.

Friday, May 7 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Saturday, May 8 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Plymouth Wis.

April 6, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

After unusual 2020, Walter looks forward to new season

Josh Walter and the Torque Racing 410 Sprint Car team will open the 2021 season with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association Series on Saturday, April 24 at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) March 17, 2021 – Following a shortened 2020 season, which featured a mix of impressive performances and disappointing mechanical setbacks, Josh Walter and the members of the Torque Racing team have turned their attention toward a promising 2021 season.

The team is currently putting together a tentative schedule of races for 2021, which will kick off with a Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association Sprint Car Series event at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, April 24.

In addition to competing in several IRA events near its Plymouth, Wis. home base, the team is also planning to visit a few of dirt track racing’s most legendary tracks during the 2021 campaign.

“Where we decided to race last year was mostly on a whim with a few races set in stone,” Walter said. “That’s what we plan on doing again this year. All the races are on the calendar and we may end up shooting darts at it. We will be racing April 24th at Beaver Dam Raceway, May 8th at Knoxville Raceway, June 11th at Williams Grove Speedway and June 12th at Port Royal Speedway, weather permitting of course.

“We plan on running the local Plymouth shows, Dodge County and Antigo races too,” he said. “The rest of the schedule is up in the air.”

The annual Torque Racing Brat Fry will get things rolling for the season Saturday, March 20 at Lakehouse Bar and Grill, located at W6547 County Road C in Plymouth, Wis. on Crystal Lake, beginning at 11 a.m.

The brat fry will give fans and supporters the first look at the 2021 Josh Walter-Torque Racing 410 Sprint Car.

Due to COVID-19, the brat fry will include two 40 foot by 20 foot tents outside for those who’d like to distance themselves. Drive-thru orders will be accommodated as well.

Although their 2020 schedule turned out to be nothing like originally anticipated, Josh Walter and the Torque Racing team made the most of their limited racing opportunities by stringing together a number of impressive late-season performances in Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action.

Walter originally planned to run several different “bucket list” tracks during the 2020 season, including Eldora Speedway in Ohio and Knoxville Raceway in Iowa, as well as Williams Grove Speedway and Port Royal Speedway in Pennsylvania, to go along with a handful of IRA events in Wisconsin. However, the COVID-19 pandemic derailed those ambitious plans and kept the team racing close to its Plymouth, Wis. home throughout the season.

In all, the team competed in 11 IRA, NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Car Series sanctioned events in 2020, compiling three top-10 A-main finishes, one heat race victory, one dash victory and six dash appearances.

Walter ended up 24th in the final IRA point standings after competing in nine of 20 events.

“Last year was a different year for everyone and it really benefitted our team,” Walter said. “Last year we started a little rough, but we really gathered things together the last half dozen nights or so. The team never gave up, but there was a point that we felt we were going about things a little wrong.

“We rallied at the end with the realization and recognition that if we want to win, we need to look at our team strengths and capitalize on those,” he said. “We took the stress out of our season during the last half, running where we wanted, when we wanted and without any outside bearing on our decisions. If our family had stuff going on, or if we just wanted to watch the races on Flo and have a team cook out and eliminate running a percentage of races or for points, we did that.”

After a nearly two-month delay to the start of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 restrictions, Walter opened the season with a NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Series doubleheader at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6.

Although he failed to qualify for the A main on either night, Walter used the two events as a test and tune session for the upcoming IRA season.

Due to some adverse weather conditions, the Torque Racing team was out of action for the next month before opening its 2020 IRA schedule at the 141 Speedway in Francis Creek on Sunday, July 5.

The evening proved to be an eventful one as Walter qualified sixth in the 29-car field and placed second in his heat race to earn a spot in an IRA dash and eventually the eighth starting spot in the 30-lap A main. After getting hit with a rock and contacting the wall and being involved in an incident in turn two in the early going, Walter battled back from the rear of the field to salvage a 15th-place finish.

After turning in a 20th-place finish in an IRA event at the Plymouth Dirt Track on July 18, Walter failed to advance out of the C main in the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions-IRA co-sanctioned Rayce Rudeen Foundation event at The Plymouth Dirt Track on July 30.

The following night, Walter made a late decision to compete with the IRA at the Langlade County Speedway in Antigo, where he qualified seventh and won the first IRA dash to earn the pole for the A main. However, an electrical issue prevented Walter’s 12W car from firing for the A main.

After nearly a month off, Walter returned to action with the IRA at Beaver Dam Raceway on Aug. 29, where he qualified sixth and finished 17th after a late-race spin.

The highlight of the season came less than a week later, when Walter qualified second and came home a season-best seventh in an IRA A-main at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 4.

The team had planned to compete the following night in IRA action at The Plymouth Dirt Track, but a faulty push rod in the engine compartment detected during pre-race maintenance sidelined the team for the evening.

Walter then posted his second top-10 finish of the season with a ninth-place showing in an IRA event at the Outagamie Speedway in Seymour, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 11.

After placing 12th in the IRA A-main at the Dodge County Fairgrounds on Friday, Sept. 25, Walter closed out the 2020 campaign with a solid eighth-place A-main finish in the season finale IRA event at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, Sept. 26.

“The last half of the 2020 season has us excited for 2021,” Walter said. “We had some top-10 finishes and I believe we made the dash in six out of the last seven nights. Our qualifying and speed is there, but I feel I owe it to my team to race better and a little more aggressive.

“If I’m not racing for points, I really have nothing holding me back from being more aggressive,” he said. “However, I still need to drive smart and keep the car in one piece.”

Torque Racing sponsors for the 2020 season included JDV Lawncare, Brittany’s School of Dance, Sheboygan by Owner, Plymouth Tap, SCA Inc., Doug’s Quality Beef, Cow Pies, Full Throttle Ink, Lakehouse Bar & Grill, Home Transitions, Oostburg Concrete Products, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Additional information about the team’s 2021 tentative schedule and sponsors will be released in the coming weeks and throughout the season on the Torque Racing Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as the Pedal Down Promotions website and social media pages.

Torque Racing Sponsor Showcase – Oostburg Concrete Products

The Torque Racing team is pleased to have Oostburg Concrete Products of Oostburg, Wis. on board as a sponsor.

In 1946, six partners joined hands to form Oostburg Concrete Products. The original owners purchased special equipment to manufacture a wide range of concrete items, which they used during the summer months for construction work.

Oostburg Concrete Products’ recent investment in equipment allows the company to pour concrete through most of the winter months.

One of the original owners, Gordon Veldboom Sr. became the sole owner in 1959. Today, the company is owned and operated by Gordon J. Veldboom Jr., his wife, Helen, and their son, John.

Oostburg Concrete Products offers a complete line of concrete and masonry services, including footings, poured concrete walls, concrete floors, driveways, sidewalks, flatwork, fireplaces and exterior brick in stone.

Oostburg Concrete Products crews cover a large territory, including jobs in Brown, Calumet, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago counties.

For more information or to inquire about services, call Oostburg Concrete Products at 920-564-3341.

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.

 

Final 2020 Josh Walter-Torque Racing

By The Numbers

Total Events – 11

IRA events – 9

World of Outlaws events – 2

A-Main Victories – 0

B-Main Victories – 0

Top Five A-Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A-Main Finishes – 3

Heat Race Victories – 1

Dash Victories – 1

Dash Appearances – 6

IRA points finish – 24th

2021 Josh Walter-Torque Racing

Tentative Upcoming Schedule

(Additional dates to be announced)

Saturday, April 24 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA)

Saturday, May 8 – Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville, Iowa (Weekly)

March 17, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Pedal Down Promotions to publish Verdegan’s ‘5-10-32’ book on McBride, Parker & Anvelink

Author Verdegan’s seventh book featuring Wisconsin Dirt Late Model Legends McBride, Parker and Anvelink to be released in December 2021

(Dunbar, Wis.) Jan. 21, 2021 – Motorsports author and Green Bay native Joe Verdegan has announced he’ll begin working on his seventh book titled “5-10-32 – McBride, Parker & Anvelink” which will feature the trio of northeastern Wisconsin dirt late model icons.

The book, hot on the heels of Verdegan’s 2020 best-selling book “The Reformatory – Tales From Green Bay’s Maximum-Security Prison” is set to be wrapped up and ready for release in December 2021. The book will be published by Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wisconsin.  This book will be the fourth that Verdegan has had published with Pedal Down Promotions.

All three drivers earned extremely popular fan followings beginning with McBride. The Shawano (Wisconsin) Speedster’s career began in 1965 at his home track Shawano Speedway. McBride would go on to battle in USAC stock car competition in the early 1970s and eventually would wind up dominating at his hometown half-mile, bagging five straight track titles in the 1980s and still winning frequently into the ’90s and into the 2000s era. McBride, who would wind up winning 13 track championships in all, was ushered into Shawano Speedway’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

Parker, from Kaukauna, Wisconsin began his career in drag racing after a stint in the military. It didn’t take long for the Eagle River native to explode onto the dirt late model scene. Parker began winning features and track titles frequently in the late 1970s and for the next few decades. Parker spread his wings in the 1980s chasing big-money specials throughout the United States, including the long-defunct National Dirt Racing Association (NDRA) circuit. After an estimated 450 feature wins at both the local and regional level and a pair of WISSOTA late model national crowns, Parker was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2006.

Anvelink, from the small town of Navarino, Wisconsin, won his first late model feature in 1977 and wasted little time becoming a consistent frontrunner and fan favorite in the years ahead at Shawano Speedway as well as nearby Seymour Speedway.

The “Navarino Nightmare” as he’s affectionately known has scored multiple feature wins and 13 track championships. Anvelink has also won some big races along the way, including the $5,000-to-win Legendary 100 at Cedar Lake Speedway in western Wisconsin and the $4,000-to-win Mid-Summer Classic at Shawano.  Anvelink was a 2009 inductee into the Shawano Speedway Hall of Fame.

An exact date and location of this book launch is expected to be released sometime in November 2021.

For more details on “5-10-32 – McBride, Parker & Anvelink,” email Verdegan at jverdegan2@gmail.com  or follow his website joeverdegan.com.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions contact publisher Jeff Pederson at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com or visit pedaldownpromo.com.

VERDEGAN’S PRIOR TITLES

2015  “Life In The Past Lane – a history of stock car racing in Northeast Wisconsin from 1950-1980”

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

2016 “Wisconsin International Raceway – Where The Big Ones Run”

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

2017  “Life In The Past Lane – The Next Generation”

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

2018  “The Bird & The Bear”

Publisher – Pedal Down Promotions

2019  “Racing In The 906”

Publisher – Pedal Down Promotions

2020 “The Reformatory – Tales From Green Bay’s Maximum-Security prison”

Publisher – Pedal Down Promotions

January 21, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Veteran coach Strusz shares lessons learned in ‘Essays on Coaching Athletes’ book

Gene Strusz, who coached for 32 years and served as an athletic administrator for 39 years at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton Wis., is sharing many of the lessons he learned during his tenure in a new book titled “Essays on Coaching Athletes – Advice for Athletic Administrator and Coaches of All Sports.”

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) January 14, 2021 – During a career that spanned 39 years, former athletic administrator and coach Gene Strusz experienced firsthand the bountiful rewards and accompanying challenges of leading student-athletes and a staff of coaches in a high school setting.

After four decades of intense involvement in high school athletics at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, Wis., Strusz is sharing the many lessons he learned along the way in his new book “Essays on Coaching Athletes – Advice for Athletic Administrators and Coaches of All Sports.”

Published by Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wis, Strusz’s second book is designed to serve as a reference tool for coaches and school athletic administrators.

“During my 39 years as athletic administrator and 32 years of coaching, certain topics, concerns, or buzz words entered the world of athletics,” Strusz said. “I often was called upon to make presentations to coaches, parents, athletes, booster clubs and others connected to school or community athletics. From time to time, I would write an essay to myself so I could digest and clarify my views concerning the issues surrounding athletics. These essays to myself allowed me to be a better coach, administrator and public speaker.

Gene Strusz, who served 39 years as an athletic administrator and coached for 32 years at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, Wis., has published his second book “Essays on Coaching Athletes – Advice for Athletic Administrators and Coaches of All Sports” through Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wis.

“Being retired and staying home and safe during the COVID-19 restrictions of 2020 allowed me to do something I had wished to do but never had or took the time to do,” he said. “After completing my first book in 2020, ‘Morning Prayers for a Christian School,’ I knew my second book would center on athletics, the world in which I lived my entire life.”

Strusz, whose first book “Morning Prayers for a Christian School” was published in July 2020, says the process of writing a book on his experience as a coach and athletic administrator produced a wealth of ideas and concepts to share.

“Having written many essays to myself and having them stored on my computer, it was easy to create more essays on athletics,” Strusz said. “Within three minutes, I wrote a list of over 30 more topics on which I had experience, views, and/or opinions. Having worked with other athletic administrators, overseen coaches, presented to parent groups, coached athletes and received athletic administration certification, I found that there was almost no limit to the number of essays I could write from experience.”

Strusz wrote “Essays on Coaching Athletes” with the goal of helping the next generation of coaches and athletic administrators navigate the sometimes tricky path to success that lies before them on a daily basis.

“I have witnessed many coaches who improved the longer they coached,” Strusz said. “I passionately believe experience is the best teacher.  As I wrote my essays, I realized how helpful my essays could be to athletic administrators and coaches. It is often said there is nothing new in athletics, we just borrow or steal ideas from others who do the same job as us. I hope readers can steal from me and not need to learn through failure. With too many failures, some coaches do not attain longevity in coaching.”

Beyond the realm of high school athletics, Strusz says the themes of the book are also designed to be of value to parents and coaches of all youth sports, as well as leaders in a variety of different professions.

“Even though my main target audience are coaches and athletic administrators, parents of athletes will also gain insights into the hows and whys of athletics,” Strusz said. “My experience came through my connection to high school athletics, but these essays apply to all levels of athletics, even t-ball and other youth sports. Some of my essays apply to any instructor, teacher, coach, boss, or administrator regardless of their field of work.”

“Essays on Coaching Athletes-Advice for Athletic Administrators and Coaches of All Sports” is now available for purchase for $15.95 at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or by contacting Gene Strusz directly at gstrusz67@gmail.com.

For more information, contact Pedal Down Promotions via email at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, by phone at 920-323-7970 or by visiting www.pedaldownpromo.com.

January 13, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Verdegan’s new GBCI prison book to launch Dec. 5 at Lenny’s Tap in Green Bay

“The Reformatory – Tales From Green Bay’s Maximum Security Prison” provides inside look behind the walls

(Green Bay, WI) – Author and Green Bay native Joe Verdegan has announced he’ll host the launch for his newest book “The Reformatory – Tales From Green Bay’s Maximum Security Prison” at a book signing Saturday, Dec. 5 at Lenny’s Tap located on Green Bay’s west side.

Verdegan worked at the 125-year-old Green Bay Correctional Institution for nearly 27 years, retiring in July 2020.

Through his book Verdegan shares tales from his interviews with more than 150 of his former co-workers.

“I’ve known Lenny’s Tap owner Marty Leonhard and it’s a well-respected pub that’s been on Broadway since 1975,” Verdegan said. “It’s a comfy establishment and will offer a great venue for us to launch this book.”

The signing will last from 12 p.m. through 4 p.m.

“We’re extending our hours for this event so we can have folks trickle in steadily all day long and do so in a safe manner,” Verdegan explained. “And for those who aren’t comfortable with that we totally understand and respect that. Folks can pre-order their copy of the book at joeverdegan.com.”

The GPS address for Lenny’s Tap is 431 North Broadway, Green Bay, WI 54303.

The book will be Verdegan’s third he’s authored which will be published through Pedal Down Promotions in Manitowoc, Wis.

This will be Verdegan’s sixth book he has penned. His other five titles all documented local and regional stock car racing history in Wisconsin and Michigan. All Verdegan’s other five titles will be for sale at this signing at the discounted price of just $15 per book.

For more details you can email Verdegan at jverdegan2@gmail.com. For more information on Pedal Down Promotions you can reach publisher Jeff Pederson at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com.

VERDEGAN’S PRIOR TITLES

2015    “Life In The Past Lane – a history of stock car racing in Northeast Wisconsin from 1950-1980”

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

2016    “Wisconsin International Raceway – Where The Big Ones Run”

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

2017    “Life In The Past Lane – The Next Generation”

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

2018    “The Bird & The Bear”

Publisher – Pedal Down Promotions

2019    “Racing In The 906”

Publisher – Pedal Down Promotions

November 13, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson

Pokorski Motorsports negotiates rollercoaster transition season  

Paul and Alex Pokorski shared driving duties for the No. 4 Pokorski Motorsports 360 Sprint Car throughout the 2020 season. – Pokorski Motorsports photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) Nov. 10, 2020 – The 2020 racing season was one unlike any other in the 28-year history of the Pokorski Motorsports team for a variety of reasons.

The season was supposed to be the curtain closer for team. However, the late start and shortened schedule brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Pokorski Motorsports co-driver Paul Pokorski to announce prior to the start of the 2020 racing season that the team would continue on in 2021.

With Paul and his 21-year-old son Alex set to split driving duties, the Pokorski Motorsports team opened the 2020 with a non-sanctioned 360 Sprint Car event at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton, Wis. on Saturday, May 23. However, a broken push rod in the engine compartment sidelined the team after qualifying.

Alex Pokorski wheeled the Doug Pietz-owned 4A car in the final 360 Sprint Car event of the 2020 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. – RC Custom Design photo

When the delayed 2020 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car campaign finally got underway on Saturday, June 6 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis., Paul Pokorski outdueled Tyler Brabant and Travis Arenz to park the familiar blue No. 4 car in victory lane for the 46th time in his career and 11th time behind the wheel of a 360 Sprint Car.

“Winning the feature on opening night at Plymouth was certainly a highlight of 2020,” Paul said. “It meant a lot to me and I think to everyone on the team to get a win. It was also the perfect highlight before handing it over Alex. Getting out of the car for the first few weeks was really nerve-racking. Even though Alex was doing a great job for a person with his experience, it’s still hard to watch. It got easier as the season went on, but as a parent and someone who is concerned about paying the bills, I don’t think the uneasiness of watching somebody else drive the car will ever go away.”

The following week at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, June 13, Paul Pokorski relinquished the driver’s seat to Alex and the father-son driving tandem shared time behind the wheel for the remainder of the season.

Alex capped his first night behind the wheel of a 360 Sprint with a sixth-place showing in the first 12-lap PDTR B main.

Alex’s second night in the driver’s seat saw him qualify 29th out of 41 cars in an MSA event at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, June 27. Pokorski went on to finish seventh in the first 12-lap B main on an ultra-dry racing surface.

Paul Pokorski earned his 46th career A-main victory during the opening night of the 2020 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car season at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, June 6. – RC Custom Design

Alex’s next race saw the team competing in an MSA event at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton on July 4 where he qualified 27th out of 33 cars and ended up ninth in an accident-plagued B main contested on another very dry and tricky track surface.

On Friday, July 17, Paul returned to the driver’s seat for the MSA Hagar Nelson Memorial Race at Outagamie Speedway in Seymour, Wis. However, Paul’s night got off to a rough start as contact with another car in the first turn on the opening lap of his heat race forced the team to retire to the pit area. After the Pokorski Motorsports crew made the necessary changes, Paul started 14th and placed 10th in the 15-lap B main to miss transferring to the A main by four spots.

During the following night at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 18th, Alex returned to the seat and returned a seventh-place finish in the second 12-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

Alex turned his first laps in a 360 Sprint Car A-main in a non-points PDTR 360 Sprint Car at The Plymouth Dirt Track event in conjunction the Rayce Rudeen Foundation Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Car Series event on Thursday, July 30.

By virtue of his eighth-place finish in his heat race, Pokorski lined up 20th in the 24-car 360 Sprint Car A-main field and moved up to finish 16th.

Two nights later, Alex finished 10th in the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B Main at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, Aug. 1.

On Saturday, Aug. 8, Alex earned his first 360 Sprint Car race victory after starting second in the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

In his second PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main appearance, Alex lined up 17th in the A main. A string of early-race incidents saw Pokorski move up to 13th in the initial stages of the race. On lap 10, Pokorski looped his machine in turn four, which forced him to restart the race at the rear of the 18-car field.

Pokorski was holding his own on the ultra-fast racing surface before disaster struck on lap 20 when he was unable to avoid a hard collision with Tyler Davis, who had spun on the front stretch after jumping the thick turn-four cushion.

The hard impact resulted in heavy damage to the team’s primary 2016 Maxim. More importantly though, Alex emerged from the scary incident uninjured.

The Pokorski Motorsports crew converted over to the team’s backup 2011 J&J chassis with Paul Pokorski behind the wheel on Saturday, Aug. 15 at The Plymouth Dirt Track. After qualifying through the B main, Paul posted an 17th-place finish in the team’s fourth A-main appearance of the season.

Paul was again in the seat for the PDTR Russ Scheffler Tribute Night event on Thursday, Aug. 27. However, rain washed out the A main after Pokorski had earned the 19th starting spot in the event.

On Saturday, Aug. 29, Paul turned in the team’s second top-10 A-main finish of the season with a solid 10th-place finish in an MSA event at Beaver Dam Raceway.

Paul backed that up with an eighth-place A-main showing at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 4. One night later at The Plymouth Dirt Track, Paul turned in a 12th-place A-main finish.

Paul was behind the wheel for an MSA event at the Dodge County Fairgrounds on Friday, Sept. 24 before broken piston caused him in his heat race caused the team to retire from the remainder of the program.

“When I got back in the car at the end of the year, I thought we made some pretty good strides on improving are setups and we had another strong run at Dodge going until we either burned or broke a piston,” Paul said. “I was really disappointed we didn’t get to run the feature on that night.”

One night later was a landmark occasion in the history of the Pokorski Motorsports team as Alex returned to the driver’s seat in the Doug Pietz-owned 4A car, while Paul was again behind the wheel of the familiar Pokorski Motorsports 4 in the 2020 PDTR-MSA season finale at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Both Alex and Paul made the A main with Paul finishing 15th and Alex coming home 20th.

“The last night of racing was a stressful one for sure,” Paul said. “It was the first time we’d ever taken two cars to the track and on top of that, one of them was borrowed, so I was really hoping that Alex will keep it in one piece and we could return it to Doug Pietz in the same condition we got it.

“Doug really went out of his way to help us out in the make it possible to have both of us in a car on that final night,” he said. “That will be one of the nights that I will never forget. I was distracted for a moment on the opening lap of the feature as I started behind Alex and when I looked up through the field, I could see him and was paying more attention to what was happening with him than what I was doing. Luckily, that quickly went away and things got back to normal. I had a pretty good run and Alex did his job and kept the car in one piece and got some laps in.”

Overall, the team competed in 18 total events in 2020 with one A-main victory, one B-main victory, one top-five A-main finish and three top-10 A-main finishes.

Paul competed in 10 events, racking up one A-main victory, one top-five A-main showing and three-top 10 A-main finishes.

“Overall, the season was fun,” Paul said. “It’s hard getting out of the car because I still have a passion for driving, but it’s also very satisfying to help your kids do something that they enjoy and excel at as well. I look forward to doing it again in 2021.

“The COVID-19 at situation did change our plans for 2021,” he said. “We’re going to give it another run in 2021, just like we did this year. We won’t make every show, but we will make most of them and it’ll be on a case-by-case basis as we decide who’s going to be in the car on what nights. It’s probably safe to say that Alex will fill the majority of them. We have the wheels in motion trying to find a new primary car to replace the one that got wrecked this year. We are also making some adjustments to our backup car to make sure Alex is comfortable when he gets into it, if need be. So, we’re well on our way to getting ready for 2021. It’ll be here before you know it.”

Alex ran in eight events while qualifying for three A mains and earning one B-main victory during his rookie season in a 360 Sprint Car in 2020.

“I didn’t have too many specific goals that I set for myself,” Alex said. “I just wanted to go out on the track and do my best. I was hoping to win either a heat race or B main, which I was able to do once this year. In the first night or two I was just feeling out how to drive the car and how to compete with the guys on the track. By the end of the year, I was making a few of the A mains. I think that was representative of the progress I was making and I was fairly happy with how the season turned out.

“The highlight was definitely winning the B main at Plymouth,” he said. “In my go-karting career, I was used to being fast and contending to win races every week, so it felt good to finally be able to do that in a Sprint Car. The last night of the season would be a night I would re-do if I were able to do so. I think I could’ve been a lot better in the A main and would like to race against my dad again. For next year, I want to learn to run the cushion, be better on dry slick tracks and make A mains more consistently.”

The Pokorski Motorsports team ended up 24th in the final 2020 MSA point standings and 25th in the PDTR point standings.

Sponsors for the 2020 Pokorski Motorsports team were Hopf Farms, Petersen Septic Systems, Quest Engineering Inc., Goeden’s Auto Body, Goodwin Racing Engines, Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Novak’s Service Center, Pedal Down Promotions, Tisler Salvage Inc., Allied Bearing Corporation and The Cawley Company.

“Of course, we have to thank everyone who made the abbreviated season possible from Quest Engineering to Goeden’s Auto Body, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Goodwin Competition Racing Engines, Hopf Farms, Tisler Salvage and Novak’s Service Center, as well as all of the other sponsors and pit crew members that helped out during the 2020 season,” Paul said.

Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Novak’s Service Center

Pokorski Motorsports would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 48th year in business in 2020.

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.

For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook 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.

2020 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers

Total Events – 18

MSA events – 17

IRA events – 0

A Main Victories – 1

B Main Victories – 1

Top Five A Main Finishes – 1

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 3

Heat Race Victories – 0

MSA points finish – 24th

PDTR points finish – 25th

November 10, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson

Verdegan’s Green Bay prison book ‘The Reformatory’ now available for pre-order

New Pedal Down Promotions book publication due out in early December

(Allouez, Wis.) November 2 – Retired corrections officer and author Joe Verdegan has announced that his new book “The Reformatory – Tales From Green Bay’s maximum-security prison” is now available for pre-order at his website joeverdegan.com.

Verdegan worked as a correctional for nearly 27 years and has penned a book detailing his experiences that he and fellow staff encountered at the 125-year-old Green Bay Correctional Institution in Allouez, Wisconsin.

Fans who pre-order the book up until the books expected launch date of December 5 will be guaranteed shipment in time for the holidays. Pre-ordered book sales will be mailed out beginning the week of December 7.

Paypal is accepted at jverdegan2@gmail.com through the website or check or money order are also accepted to Joe Verdegan, N 18557 Maple Drive, Dunbar, Wisconsin 54119. The cost for the book is $25 with $8.00 for shipping and please include $1.10 for Wisconsin sales tax per book.

The book will be Verdegan’s third that has authored that will be published through Pedal Down Promotions in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

In 1993 Verdegan left his job as a news reporter at WOSH AM 1490 radio in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to embark upon a career with the state Department of Corrections. In his book Verdegan will take you from his start in the officer’s academy, through his short time working at Racine Correctional Institution and eventually winding up at GBCI, which was commonly referred to as “Gladiator School” because of the high number of inmate brawls staff had to respond to on almost a daily basis.

The book is written from his perspective and includes interviews and tales from more than 150 of his co-workers in his three decades inside the walls.

This will be Verdegan’s sixth book he has penned. His other five titles all documented local and regional stock car racing history in Wisconsin and Michigan.

An exact date and location of this book launch is expected to be released sometime in November.

For more details you can email Verdegan at jverdegan2@gmail.com. For more information on Pedal Down Promotions you can reach publisher Jeff Pederson at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com.

VERDEGAN’S PRIOR TITLES

2015  “Life In The Past Lane – a history of stock car racing in Northeast Wisconsin from 1950-1980”

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

2016 “Wisconsin International Raceway – Where The Big Ones Run”

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

2017  “Life In The Past Lane – The Next Generation”

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

2018  “The Bird & The Bear”

Publisher – Pedal Down Promotions

2019  “Racing In The 906”

Publisher – Pedal Down Promotions

November 2, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson

Bartz caps 2020 season with podium finish at SCCA Runoffs  

Jeff Bartz of Plymouth, Wis. posted a third-place showing in the SCCA F1600 Formula F national championship race held during the SCCA Runoffs at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. on Saturday, Oct. 10. – Fast Car Photos

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) October 14, 2020 – After a four-year hiatus, Jeff Bartz and the Pure Energy Racing team made an impressive return to the bright lights, big stage and white knuckle winner-take-all intensity of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Runoffs by turning in a third-place podium showing in the hotly contested F1600 Formula F national championship showcase event at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. Oct. 6-10.

Bartz, whose last taste of SCCA Runoffs action came back in 2016 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, geared his 2020 season schedule to peak for the crown jewel national title event.

The week’s activities kicked off with three days of qualifying at the team’s home track on Tuesday, Oct. 6, Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Thursday, Oct. 8.

“For qualifying, we started the week out strong and ended up on pole after the first day,” Bartz said. “On Wednesday, I was unable to get a draft with anyone and had some minor issues not allowing me to improve on my time, so we got shuffled back to fourth. On Thursday, it was a hectic session not allowing for many clean laps with a draft. I improved on my time, but not enough to move up any positions, so we ended up qualifying fourth overall for the race.

On Saturday, Oct. 10, Bartz rolled off fourth in the 13-lap, 52.624-mile SCCA F1600 Formula F national championship race, which was contested on the demanding 14-turn, 4.048-mile Road America layout. During the first half of the race, Bartz stayed in the lead pack, which saw multiple lead changes among five different drivers and numerous position swaps within the evenly-matched top-seven cars.

“Starting fourth for the race, I wanted to make sure I was aggressive enough at the start to at least get up into the top three or worst case be right at the end of the front pack of four,” Bartz said. “The draft is huge in our class especially at a track like Road America, so I wanted to make sure I was up in the front pack and hopefully fighting my way to the front of that pack.

“The early race strategy is always tricky as you want to be aggressive, but being too aggressive too early can leave you in a position to get shuffled back,” he said. “Therefore, in the early part of the race, I was trying to feel out my pace compared to everyone and stay up in the top three and ideally top two.”

After dropping back to sixth near the mid-way point of the race, Bartz clawed his way back to the front of the field to eventually seize the lead on lap 12. On the final lap, a huge surge from Tim Kautz of St. Charles, Ill., Simon Sikes of Martinez, Ga. and Robert Perona of Indianapolis, Ind. saw Bartz get shuffled back to fourth in the running order, during a mad scramble at the front of the field.

Kautz crossed the line first, followed by Sikes, Perona and Bartz. However, the results were later adjusted when SCCA officials penalized Kautz for passing under caution in the early stages of the race, which moved him back to seventh in the final results.

Kautz’s penalty gave Sikes the victory, while Perona took second and Bartz secured a third-place finish to equal his best previous performance at the SCCA Runoffs, which came in 2013 when he placed third during the most recent SCCRA Runoffs contested at Road America.

“Around the middle of the race, the battling up at the front intensified, thus slowing down the front pack and allowing the second pack to catch up with us,” Bartz said. “This was not ideal as unfortunately at this point in the race, I was at the tail end of the front pack in fourth place and vulnerable to losing positions from the group of racers that had caught up with us. I ended up falling back to sixth position at one point in the middle of the race and I was getting a bit nervous that I wouldn’t be able to catch back up to the lead pack.

“Luckily, I just kept my head down and was able to work my way back up to the front back within a couple of laps,” he said. “The last few laps of the race I was in a great position and established myself in the front pack of three. On the second to last lap, I had worked my way all the way up to the lead and Simon Sikes, the eventual winner after Tim Kautz got penalty for passing under yellow, pushed me around for a lap and I thought we would be able to get away from Tim. Tim had a big moment in one on the second to last lap where he almost spun out, but had an impressive recovery and ran us back down and was back in second place to start the final lap. I did not get the best run out of turn three as I was trying to push a bit too hard to try and keep ahead going into turn five and wound up getting passed by both Tim and Simon before reaching turn five. At this point I was back in third place and was able to mount a charge on the backside in turn 12, but unfortunately I had nowhere to go as they were two wide in front of me. Bob Perona had a great run through the carousel on the final lap and was able to get along side of me on the outside of turn 12 and won the drag race up the hill to turn 13, thus shuffling me back to fourth. I got a good run out of turn 14, but Bob made his car just wide enough to not leave me an easy lane to try and draft by him before the finish line.”

After the race, Bartz spoke about how a different strategy during the decisive final lap may have yielded a better result.

“If I could go back to the last lap, I would have hopefully gotten a better run out of turn three to put myself in a position to hold off for at least second place in turn five,” Bartz said. “If I could have done that, I could have hopefully been there more at the end, but it was such a crazy race that anything could have happened on that last lap.”

Check out Jeff Bartz’s helmet cam video from the SCCA Runoffs F1600 Formula F national championship race.

Just as he has been in every event during the 2020 season, Bartz displayed plenty of speed while racing among the leaders throughout the Pure Energy Racing team’s final race of the year. In fact, Bartz turned the fastest lap of the race with a time of 2:24.268 for an average speed of 101.012 miles per hour behind the wheel of his Van Diemen RF00 Honda.

All in all, the Plymouth, Wis. driver was pleased with how his 2020 season played out.

“Overall, even though we didn’t finish as high as I wanted to in the runoffs this year, we still ended up getting on the podium after the penalty to Tim was processed,” Bartz said. “There was some very stiff competition at the runoffs this year and at multiple events we ran with some up and coming drivers that are looking to climb the ranks and some crafty veterans. We ended up building on each weekend over the course of the season and really hit our stride late in the season.

“I am very pleased with how the season went overall and thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said. “I think we have made some major improvements this year that along with some updates we have planned for the winter will allow us to be even more competitive next year.”

Bartz, who has tallied over 100 race victories in his karting and SCCA racing career, competed in four events and eight total races during the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season.

Overall, Bartz captured one race victory in the Cat in the Kettle Majors at Road America on Aug. 16, while tallying four top-five showings and seven top-10 finishes in eight races during the 2020 campaign.

Bartz credits the support of his sponsors and pit crew members for helping the team to upgrade its equipment and stay highly competitive throughout the 2020 season.

“I would like to thank all my sponsors for the season, David Hobbs Honda, Mayville Limestone, Subway  and Harper Drain and Septic,” Bartz said. “Without their support and help, this year wouldn’t have been possible. I also need to thank Bart Wolf and Wolf Motorsports for their help all offseason and during the season. They were able to help us with a lot of issues we had during some weekend and we wouldn’t have been able to run as well as we did without their help. I also need to thank my crew, Scotty, Fuzzy and Dave for all their help this season, I could not have done it without them.

“Finally, I’d like to thank my parents for helping me financially and supporting me as much as they can with all of this,” he said. “Racing is not a cheap sport and I couldn’t do it without the financial support from my parents and the help from my dad on organizing the team.”

Looking ahead to the 2021 season, Bartz is aiming to test his skill at the next level by entering more Formula Race Promotions (FRP) pro racing events.

“For next year, with the amount of updates we have done, we will be looking to put the car and my development to the test and run more FRP F1600 pro races,” Bartz said. “These events have tons of track time, great competition, and are at a number of tracks I haven’t had the chance to drive yet. Getting up to speed against the tough competition will no doubt be a challenge, but learning new tracks and racing against competition like that will only further enhance and refine my driving and the development of the car.

“I will be looking to secure enough money to run as many FRP events as possible, while still running some SCCA races like the June Sprints at Road America,” he said. “I am looking forward to next year and hopefully we will be out at the track early and often throughout the season.”

For more information on Jeff Bartz and the Pure Energy Racing team, contact Pedal Down Promotions via email at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, by phone at 920-323-7970 or by visiting 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.

2020 Pure Energy Racing By The Numbers

Races – 8

Race Victories – 1

Top Five Finishes – 4

Top 10 Finishes – 7

October 14, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson

Bartz takes aim at SCCA Runoffs national title

Jeff Bartz of Plymouth, Wis. is set to compete for a SCCA Runoffs national title in the F1600 Formula F division Saturday, Oct. 10 at 9:15 a.m. at Road America in Elkhart Lake. – Pure Energy Racing photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) October 5, 2020 – A most unusual 2020 racing season will draw to a close in high-stakes fashion for Plymouth, Wis. driver Jeff Bartz and the Pure Energy Racing team as they shoot for a F1600 Formula F national championship in the crown jewel SCCA Runoffs this Tuesday, Oct. 6 through Saturday, Oct. 10 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.

Bartz, who has enjoyed a solid 2020 campaign with one race victory, three top-five showings and six top-10 finishes to his credit in seven SCCA F1600 Formula F events, has been clearly focused on bringing his best effort to the table for the 57th annual SCCA Runoffs.

“The SCCA Runoffs are a winner-take-all single championship race that will decide who is the national champ for each SCCA class,” Bartz said. “Competitors come from all across the country for the event. It is a weeklong event with multiple qualifying sessions throughout the week and then a single race on the weekend. This year the schedule is we have a qualifying session each day Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Then I race at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday October 10th.”

Bartz is hoping his previous experience both in the SCCA Runoffs and at Road America, the team’s home track, will pay dividends in the biggest SCCA race of the year.

“The event rotates tracks each year,” Bartz said. “They had five years in a row when it was at Road America back in 2009 through 2013. Since then, it has been moving around the country and going to a new track each year. Some of the notable tracks in recent years have been Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway.

“The last time the runoffs were at Road America in 2013, we finished on the podium in third place,” he said. “The 2013 season was a breakthrough season for me as we finally were able to have a good showing at the runoffs with the previous years, 2011 and 2012, being a bit of a disappointment due to mechanical issues and the growing pains of setting up a new car. In 2013 we were able to have a strong showing late in the year and get on the podium against some very stiff competition. The most recent runoffs I ran was in 2016 at Mid-Ohio. Unfortunately, mechanical issues plagued us in that event and we ended up finishing in seventh place.”

Bartz, who has tallied over 100 race victories in his karting and SCCA racing career, is riding high after winning his most recent SCCA F1600 Formula F event at Road America during the Cat in the Kettle Majors on Aug. 16.

“This year we have made some major updates to the car and have been steadily progressing over the season,” Bartz said. “We are going into the event on a high note with the last race I ran at Road America, the CAT in the Kettle Majors in August, ending up in a victory. The competition and racing will be very close and intense, but I believe we are very prepared and feel confident I can fight for the victory. “

Bartz credits the support of sponsors David Hobbs Honda and Mayville Limestone with helping the Pure Energy Racing team upgrade its equipment to make a run at a SCCA national tile.

“I have to acknowledge sponsors David Hobbs Honda and Mayville Limestone, which have come on and been instrumental in the progress we have been able to make on the car late in the season,” Bartz said. “Without their help, we would definitely not be as prepared as we are for this race.”

For those unable to attend Bartz’s SCCA Runoffs F1600 Formula F race on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 9:15 a.m., the race will be broadcast live at https://www.scca.com/pages/runoffs-live-video.

Sponsors for the 2020 Pure Energy Racing team include: David Hobbs Honda, Mayville Limestone, CapN SHIELD, Harper Drain & Septic Service, Kearney Driver Development, Hoosier Tire and Pedal Down Promotions.

For more information on Jeff Bartz and the Pure Energy Racing team, contact Pedal Down Promotions via email at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, by phone at 920-323-7970 or by visiting 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.

2020 Pure Energy Racing Upcoming Schedule

Oct. 6-10 – SCCA National Runoffs, Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis.

2020 Pure Energy Racing By The Numbers

Races – 7

Race Victories – 1

Top Five Finishes – 3

Top 10 Finishes – 6

October 4, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson

Walter caps 2020 on high note in IRA finale

Josh Walter posted a 12th-place showing in the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association Rick Schmidt Memorial A main at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 25. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 30, 2020 – A season that began a bit on the rocky side, closed out on the rock solid side for Josh Walter and the Torque Racing team with a strong top-10 A-main showing at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. during a doubleheader weekend to conclude the 2020 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association season.

The team’s final race weekend of the COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign began with a return trek to the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam. Wis. on Friday, Sept. 25 for the IRA 410 Sprint Car Series Rick Schmidt Memorial Race at the sprawling half-mile facility.

The 15th-year Sprint Car racer opened the event by qualifying ninth in the 25-car IRA field with a lap of 17.214 seconds.

Walter then lined up second in the third IRA eight-lap heat race where he settled into second behind polesitter Kyle Schuett and held the position throughout the race to finish second.

Walter, who recorded a season-best seventh-place showing in his last appearance at Dodge County on Sept. 4, rolled off 12th in the 25-lap IRA A-main. The initial start was aborted when Jereme Schroeder stopped in turn two on the opening circuit.

On lap 2, Walter slipped to 13th before Jeremy Schultz powered past Walter on lap 15 to move the Plymouth racer back to 14th in the running order on the lightning fast track surface.

On lap 20, Walter battled back to pass Dave Uttech exiting turn four to move back to 13th.  The second caution flag of the race appeared on lap 21 when Scotty Thiel slowed along the backstretch.

Following the restart, Walter engaged in a duel with Robbie Pribnow for 13th. After Pribnow moved past Walter on lap 22, but Walter came back to return the favor to regain 13th.

One lap later, Walter advanced to 12th when Danny Schlafer retired from the race. Walter went on to finish 12th in the event, which was won by Bill Balog.

One night later at The Plymouth Dirt Track for the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships, Walter qualified 12th in the 29-car field with a lap of 12.176 seconds.

After starting on the pole of the third IRA heat race, Walter bolted away from outside front row starter Jeremy Schultz and led every lap en route to his first 10-lap heat race victory of the 2020 season and third career IRA heat race win to earn a spot in the dash.

After lining up third in the first four-lap IRA dash, Walter held the third position throughout the event to secure the fifth starting spot in the 30-lap IRA A main.

Walter ran sixth in the early going of the caution-plagued IRA A-main before dropping to seventh when Jeremy Schultz snuck by on lap 18. After the fifth IRA caution period on lap 22, Walter was running seventh before Scotty Neitzel swept around the Plymouth racer to move him back to eighth in the running order.

The sixth and final caution flag appeared on lap 29 when Scotty Thiel spun while racing for the lead in turn four. After Walter restarted seventh with a green-white-checkered flag scenario in place, Travis Arenz snuck past on the final lap to drop Walter back to eighth at the finish line in a race won by Bill Balog.

The eighth-place showing was Walter’s third top-10 A-main finish of the 2020 campaign.

“It turned out to a very different season that we originally planned, due to COVID-19,” Walter said. “We were originally going to do some travelling to some bucket-list tracks in Pennsylvania and race at Eldora Speedway this year. With the start of season delayed due to the pandemic, we decided to stick close to home and run the IRA events that fit in our personal schedule.

“We had a rough start to the season with a couple of mechanical issues and a few on-track incidents as well,” he said. “After all that settled down, the results really improved and we were able to pick up three top-10 finishes, a dash win. a heat race win and we qualified well in most of the races, so I’m pretty happy with that.”

Torque Racing sponsors for the 2020 season included JDV Lawncare, Brittany’s School of Dance, Sheboygan by Owner, Plymouth Tap, SCA Inc., Doug’s Quality Beef, Cow Pies, Full Throttle Ink, Lakehouse Bar & Grill, Home Transitions, Oostburg Concrete Products, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Torque Racing Sponsor Showcase – Oostburg Concrete Products

The Torque Racing team is pleased to have Oostburg Concrete Products of Oostburg, Wis. on board as a sponsor for the 2020 season.

In 1946, six partners joined hands to form Oostburg Concrete Products. The original owners purchased special equipment to manufacture a wide range of concrete items, which they used during the summer months for construction work.

Oostburg Concrete Products’ recent investment in equipment allows the company to pour concrete through most of the winter months.

One of the original owners, Gordon Veldboom Sr. became the sole owner in 1959. Today, the company is owned and operated by Gordon J. Veldboom Jr., his wife, Helen, and their son, John.

Oostburg Concrete Products offers a complete line of concrete and masonry services, including footings, poured concrete walls, concrete floors, driveways, sidewalks, flatwork, fireplaces and exterior brick in stone.

Oostburg Concrete Products crews cover a large territory, including jobs in Brown, Calument, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago counties.

For more information or to inquire about services, call Oostburg Concrete Products at 920-564-3341.

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.

2020 Josh Walter-Torque Racing By The Numbers

Total Events – 11

IRA events – 9

World of Outlaws events – 2

A-Main Victories – 0

B-Main Victories – 0

Top Five A-Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A-Main Finishes – 3

Heat Race Victories – 1

Dash Victories – 1

Dash Appearances – 6

 

September 30, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson

Pokorski Motorsports doubles its pleasure in 2020 MSA season finale

Alex Pokorski (4A) and Paul Pokorski (4) race side by side in the 2020 season-ending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car 25-lap A main, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. – JW’s Car and Racing Photos

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) Sept. 29, 2020 – Since debuting in 1993, the Pokorski Motorsports team has enjoyed many firsts over the course of a highly successful tenure competing in the sport of open-wheel racing on dirt tracks throughout the state of Wisconsin.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, the team enjoyed another landmark occasion as the father-son driving tandem of Paul and Alex Pokorski each competed in in separate 360 Sprint Car entries in the same racing program as the team’s 2020 season drew to a close at the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

After sharing driving duties of the Pokorski Motorsports 360 Sprint Car with his father during the 2020 season, the younger Pokorski jumped at the opportunity to wheel the Doug Pietz-owned 4A car, while the elder Pokorski also competed in the team’s familiar blue No. 4 car in the final race of the season at Plymouth.

With 31 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars signed in for the program, Paul started eighth in the first 10-lap 360 Sprint Car heat race.

The 28-year veteran maintained the eighth spot on the fast and tacky track surface until lap 7 when he worked past Chris Larson into seventh in turn four. On the final lap, Paul slipped past Bill Taylor on the final lap to finish sixth.

Paul then lined up fourth in the 15-lap 360 Sprint Car B main with a spot in the 22-car A-main field on the line. After dropped to fifth on lap five, Tyler Davis ducked under the high-riding Pokorski on lap 7 to fall to sixth. Preston Ruh closed on Pokorski along the low line on lap 11. However, Pokorski moved to the low line on lap 12 and held the sixth spot over the final three laps to secure a berth in the season-ending A main.

Paul Pokorski finished 15th in the 2020 season-ending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car 25-lap A Main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. – JW’s Car and Racing Photos

After starting 22nd in the 25-lap A main, Paul worked the high line in the early going to work his way up through the field. By lap 17, Pokorski had advanced to 16th in the running order as the rapidly changing track surface had begun to slick off considerably.

On lap 23, Pokorski powered past Tyler Brabant to secure 15th, which is where he finished in the race, which was won by Will Gerrits.

After a motor issue ended the team’s night early in an MSA event at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 24, Pokorski was pleased to have an incident-free close to the 2020 season after spending extra time on Saturday changing motors in the No. 4 car.

“Saturday was a long day,” Paul Pokorski said. “The motor swap took longer than I anticipated, but went reasonably smoothly. We got to the track with plenty of time. However, it was a bit difficult for me. I thought it was stressful enough for me to watch Alex in our car, but it was really stressful to watch him in a borrowed car.

“I can’t thank Doug Pietz enough for giving Alex the chance to run some laps and end the season on a positive note,” he said. “We struggled a bit in the heat race, made it a little better for the B main and took a big swing for the A main and it was much better. After all this time, I’m still learning. In the end, I was not thrilled, but we went in the right direction.”

The 2014 MSA Masters Series champion enjoyed the opportunity to race side by side with Alex for the first time in the early stages of the A main.

“I was happy to be able to race with Alex,” Paul Pokorski said. “I was hoping to get to race with him at some point, I just didn’t foresee it happening this way. Again, can’t thank Doug enough. I was very happy that we both had so much support to make it work. The crew responded well. Everyone did anything they could do or were asked to do. We are blessed.”

Alex Pokorski (4A) turned in a 20th-place showing in the 2020 season-ending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. – JW’s Car and Racing Photos

Alex Pokorski opened his first race behind the wheel of the Doug Pietz-owned 4A car from the third starting spot in the fourth 10-lap 360 Sprint Car heat race.

On the opening lap, Tyler Tischendorf worked around Pokorski to seize third. However, Alex battled back to regain third with a nice low pass in turn three on lap 2. Pokorski held the third spot throughout the race to earn a spot in the 25-lap A main.

After starting 12th, Alex dropped to 21st in the running order on lap 9. Pokorski, who was competing in his third career 360 Sprint Car A main, stayed smooth and steady over the course of the 25-lap event to come home 20th in the race.

“I was excited to be back behind the wheel,” Alex Pokorski said. “Being in Doug’s car didn’t really change anything about how I drove it. The heat race wasn’t my smoothest race by any stretch, but the car was pretty fast and I had a good starting spot that I was able to hold on to.

“For the A main we made some changes to the car and they didn’t quite work like we hoped,” he said. “I started on the outside, but I was a bit hesitant to try to run the cushion because I’ve never done it before. I ended up having to run through the middle for the first few laps and that’s not the place to be on a dry slick track. When I was able to get to the bottom, I felt more comfortable and was able to do a little better. It never feels good when you go backwards, but sometimes it happens.”

Alex savored the opportunity to race side-by-side with his father in an A-main event.

“The laps I was racing next to my dad were cool,” Alex Pokorski said. “I have never gotten to race him competitively before. I was always something I’ve wanted to do, so I have to thank Doug Pietz for giving me the chance to do it.

“Unfortunately, my dad beat me on this occasion,” he said. “I’m glad he did well though after starting from the back. Next year my dad and I are hoping to do something similar to what we did this year with splitting seat time, but nothing is set in stone as of right now.”

On Friday, Sept. 25, Paul Pokorski competed in the Midwest Sprint Car Association Fuzzy Fassbender Memorial event at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis.

With 24 MSA 360 Sprint Car signed in for the event, Pokorski started fourth in the first eight-lap heat race. Pokorski passed Scott Conger in turn two on the opening lap to take third and was closing rapidly on the second-place car of Brandon Berth and leader Tyler Davis when the car began to slow on the final lap.

With smoke billowing from the engine compartment, Pokorski pulled into the infield with a broken piston and was credited with a seventh-place finish in the race.

The engine issue forced the team to scratch from the remainder of the program and prompted an engine change in the No. 4 car for the 2020 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car season finale at Plymouth on Saturday, Sept. 26.

“Any time the night is cut short, it is disappointing, but especially at Dodge County,” Paul Pokorski said. “It is such a unique place and we only go a few times a year. The car felt good in the heat race. I was having fun and was starting to think we were going to have a shot at winning it. Then it went up in smoke.”

After competing in a COVID-19-shortened, 17-event season in 2020, Paul Pokorski is looking forward to returning for what he hopes will be a full season of racing in 2021.

“Our only plan for certain at this point is to do it all again, hopefully free of COVID-19 or other restrictions, next year,” Paul Pokorski said. “I can’t wait. For us, 2021 starts now.”

Sponsors for the 2020 Pokorski Motorsports team are Hopf Farms, Petersen Septic Systems, Quest Engineering Inc., Goeden’s Auto Body, Goodwin Racing Engines, Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Novak’s Service Center, Pedal Down Promotions, Tisler Salvage Inc., Allied Bearing Corporation and The Cawley Company.

Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Novak’s Service Center

Pokorski Motorsports would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 48th year in business in 2020.

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.

For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook 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.

2020 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers

Total Events – 17

MSA events – 16

IRA events – 0

A Main Victories – 1

B Main Victories – 1

Top Five A Main Finishes – 1

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 3

Heat Race Victories – 0

September 29, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson

Balog, Gerrits, Cox, Malueg collect Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships hardware at Plymouth

Bill Balog (17B) of Hartland held off a spirited challenge from Scotty Thiel (64) of Sheboygan to capture his 12th Bumper to Bumper interstate Racing Association A-main victory of the 2020 season and wrap up his record 10th career IRA championship, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. – RC Custom Design photo

McMullen wraps up second PDTR 360 Sprint Car crown

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 26, 2020 – On a night when Sprint Cars were king, four champions were crowned in five different open wheel touring series during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

In the headlining Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, Bill Balog of Hartland captured his 12th IRA A-main victory of the year in the 30-lap main event en route to nailing down his record 10th IRA title.

Will Gerrits of Waupun led flag to flag to earn his first Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car main event victory of the 2020 season.

In addition, Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh secured his second Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car championship, while also claiming his fourth Midwest Sprint Car Association crown.

Tim Cox of Park City, Ill. notched his first A-main victory of the season in the 20-lap Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car Series main event, while Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, Ill. earned his first career AutoMeter Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car championship.

C.J. Malueg of Johnsburg, Ill. earned the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A-main victory in a photo finish on the way to the 2020 IRA Lightning Sprints title.

The initial start of the 30-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car Series A main was aborted when Todd Daun of Pleasant Prairie stopped near the turn two wall to bring out the first of six caution flags.

Following a complete restart, Bill Balog jumped out to the lead from the pole position  with third starter Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan surging into second along the low groove.

The second caution was displayed on lap 2 when Hunter Custer of Chippewa Falls stopped in turn four. Following the restart, Balog held strong at the front of the field with Thiel in tow before the lead duo hit lapped traffic on lap 5, which provided Thiel with an opportunity to pounce.

On lap 6, Thiel ducked low to pull even with Balog. The two Sprint Car standouts dueled side by side over the next two circuits before Thiel surged into the lead in turn four on lap 8.

The third caution flag appeared on lap 11 when Robbie Pribnow of Lomira stopped along the frontstretch. Thiel pulled away from Balog on the restart before traffic again made things interesting beginning on lap 15.

One lap later, Balog used the outside groove to power around Thiel into the lead on lap 16. On the next circuit, Jordan Goldesberrry of Springfield, Ill. spun in turn one before collecting Kris Spitz of Salem.

Balog controlled the ensuing restart before the fifth caution flew on lap 22 when Blake Nimee of Oswego, Ill. stopped in turn three on lap 22. On the ensuing restart, Balog again powered away to a full-straightaway advantage on lap 25.

As Balog hit lapped traffic one final time, Balog closed the gap dramatically on lap 28. With Thiel gaining quickly on Balog entering the final two turns, Scott Biertzer of West Bend slowed in turn three, which caused Kris Spitz to spin just in front of Thiel, who was collected in the incident to bring out the sixth caution of the race.

Thiel was able to continue in the race at the rear of the field in a green-white-checkered flag finish. Balog powered away from former IRA champion Jake Blackburst of Hanna City, Ill. on the restart and held onto post is 12th IRA A-main victory of the season, record a season sweep of the three 2020 IRA A-main events at Plymouth and rack up his 125th career IRA A-main triumph.

“We had a great battle with Scotty [Thiel] for a while there,” Balog said. “Then the spin happened on the last lap with Scotty. After that, I think Jake [Blackhurst] was behind us. I didn’t know how close Blackhurst was during the lap few laps. I was a little worried because I bobbled and jumped the cushion at the end.”

Blackhurst, who started fourth, came home a strong second.

“It’s great to have this car turned around and consistently running toward the front now,” Blackhurst said. “Congratulations to Bill and his team on the victory and championship. Man, he is good.”

Mike Reinke of Howards Grove finished third in the Bob Hood 10W entry, after starting sixth.

“It looked like we were going to be a fourth or fifth-place car tonight,” Reinke said. “We were not as fast as the top three guys in open air then some things happened near the end that ended up putting us on the podium. I’m happy with a podium finish to close out the year. This will help in building some momentum into the offseason and into 2021.”

Outside front row starter Joey Moughan of Springfield, Ill. finished fourth and former IRA champion Jeremy Schultz of Beaver Dam placed fifth after starting 11th.

Will Gerrits of Waupun secured his second career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. – RC Custom Design photo

Outside front row starter Will Gerrits grabbed the lead of the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main with polesitter Chris Clayton of Waldo sliding into second. By lap 5, Gerrits had bolted out to a full straightaway lead over Clayton.

On lap 10, 2011 PDTR and MSA champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove moved in from his sixth starting spot to work around Clayton for second on lap 10.

The leaders hit lapped traffic on lap 13 before Travis Arenz of Sheboygan used a slide job to clear Schmidt and take second in turn two on lap 14. Schmidt battled back to regain second lap 16. However, Arenz regained the spot in turn three on lap 17.

Arenz was closing rapidly on Gerrits for the lead in dense lapped traffic before the lone caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 17 when 2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Justin Miller of Plymouth spun in turn two.

Following the restart, Gerrits again opened up a sizable gap when Arenz and Schmidt dueled back and forth for second with Arenz eventually maintaining the spot on lap 18.

Arenz worked the high groove throughout the majority of the final seven circuits, but was unable to reel in Gerrits, who secured his first A-main victory of the 2020 season and his second career PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main victory.

“This certainly makes up for the god-awful year we’ve had,” Gerrits said. “I have to thank everyone in the pits that helps out on this car.”

Arenz finished second, Schmidt placed third, third starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend ended up fourth and Clayton rounded out the top five.

Tim Cox of Park City, Ill. earned his first AutoMeter Wisconsin Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2020 season, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. – Bruce Palla Mindz I Photography photo

Vince Bartolotta of Muskego grabbed the lead of the 20-lap Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car A main from the pole with outside front row starter Tim Cox settling into second.

On lap 6, Ryan Marshall of Kansasville, who started fifth, moved in to challenge the high-riding Cox along the high groove, but Cox prevailed before moving in to pressure Bartolotta for the top spot on lap 8.

One lap later, Cox powered around Bartolotta along the outside groove to seize the top spot. On lap 11, Marshall slipped underneath Bartolotta to take over second before the first of two caution flags was displayed on lap 16 when Chris Klemko of Bristol, who entered the race with a 10-point lead over Jimmy Sivia in the chase for the 2020 Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car Series title, had nowhere to go and was collected after Jake Kouba of Minneapolis, Minn. spun along the frontstretch.

The incident effectively dashed Klemko’s championship hopes as he was forced to restart the race at the rear of the field.

On lap 18, Marshall moved in to pressure Cox for the lead along the inside groove before 11th starter Nathan Crane of Waukegan assumed third from Marshall on lap 19.

The second caution of the race was then displayed on lap 19 when Brian Strane of Paris spun in turn two. On the restart, third starter Derek Crane of Waukegan, Ill. moved in to assume second as Cox cruised to his first Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car Series A-main victory of the 2020 season.

Derek Crane finished second, Nathan Crane was third, Marshall wound up fourth and Rusty Egan of Burlington finished fifth after starting 12th.

“It took us the whole summer to get here,” Cox said. “We crashed badly and missed a few races. I turned 60 this year and it is great to get a win. I want to say ‘congratulations’ to Jimmy Sivia on the championship.”

Sivia was delighted to earn his first career AutoMeter Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car Series title under the IRA banner.

“I’m feeling a lot of emotions right now,” Sivia said. “I have grown up traveling around with the IRA and now it feels great that now I can call myself an IRA champion.”

In the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A main, Mark Heinert of Oak Creek took the lead from the outside front row starting position. The first of three cautions was displayed on lap 8 when Chris Quillman of Delevan stopped near the turn three pit exit.

C.J. Malueg of Park City, Ill. claimed an A-main victory and wrapped up the IRA Lightning Sprints 2020 title, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – Bruce Palla Mindz I Photography photo

Following the restart, the fourth starting C.J. Malueg moved into second from his third starting spot.

After two more caution flags, the table was set for a thrilling finish. On lap 18, Malueg powered in to challenge Heinert.

On the final circuit, Malueg used a huge run of off turn four to pull even with Heinert as the two drivers dueled to the checkered flag with Malueg prevailing at the finish line by four one-thousands of a second.

Heinert placed second, Ron Brannam of Barrington, Ill. finished third after starting fifth, 10th starter Nick Petska of Spring Grove, Ill. took fourth and polesitter Jeff Schmidt of Slinger placed fifth.

Jake Blackhurst turned the fastest IRA 410 Sprint Car Series qualifying lap of the evening by touring the third-mile clay oval in 11.932 seconds.

The IRA B main went to Blake Ninmee. Blake Wondra of Fond du Lac won the MSA B main. Jim Wehrman of Kansasville captured the Wisconsin Wingless B main.

The all-Sprint Car program, which featured a total of 105 cars, included 29 IRA 410 Sprint Cars and 31 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 28 Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Cars and 17 IRA Lightning Sprints.

Collins State Bank and RC Custom Design were the trophy sponsors for the evening.

Plymouth Dirt Track Racing will honor 2020 division champions Brandon McMullen (360 Sprint Car), Justin Schmidt (Late Model), Aaron Stolp (Grand National) and Tim Warner (B Mod), while also giving out special recognition, during the annual PDTR Awards Presentation at Racers Hall in Plymouth on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.

There is no charge to attend the event and those that attend may order food off the menu if they desire.

Awards include trophies for the top three in points in each division, rookie of year, most improved and the Dedication to Dirt Award.

BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION 410 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Jake Blackhurst 11.932 2, Scotty Thiel 11.944 3, Scott Biertzer 11.984 4, Bill Balog 12.029 5, Mike Reinke 12.061 6, Scotty Neitzel 12.063 7, Joey Moughan 12.087 8, Austin Deblauw 12.095 9, Jeremy Schultz 12.135 10, Kyle Schuett 12.146 11, Dave Uttech 12.156 12, Josh Walter 12.176 13, Sean Rayhall 12.190 14, Danny Schlafer 12.237 15, Russel Borland 12.258 16, Hunter Custer 12.262 17, Blake Nimee 12.261 18, Todd King 12.278 19, Jordan Goldesberry 12.278 20, John Fahl 12.349 21, Robbie Pribnow 12.358 22, Kurt Davis 12.361 23, Todd Daun 12.389 24, Jack Routson 12.406 25, Jereme Schroeder 12.485 26, Scott Uttech 12.529 27, Kris Spitz 12.530 28, Bailey Goldesberry 12.582 29, Travis Arenz 12.716.

HEAT 1

1, Bill Balog 2, Kyle Schuett 3, Joey Moughan 4, Jake Blackhurst 5, Sean Rayhall 6, Jordan Goldesberry 7, Blake Nimee 8, Jereme Schroeder 9, Kurt Davis 10, Baily Goldesberry.

HEAT 2

1, Dave Uttech 2, Mike Reinke 3, Scotty Thiel 4, Danny Schlafer 5, Austin Deblauw 6, Travis Arenz 7, John Fahl 8, Scott Uttech 9, Hunter Custer 10, Todd Daun.

HEAT 3

1, Josh Walter 2, Jeremy Schultz 3, Scotty Neitzel 4, Russel Borland 5, Scott Biertzer 6, Robbie Pribnow 7, Jack Routson 8, Kris Spitz 9, Todd King

DASH 1

1, Bill Balog 2, Scotty Thiel 3, Josh Walter 4, Dave Uttech 5, Scott Biertzer.

DASH 2

1, Joey Moughan 2, Jake Blackhurst 3, Mike Reinke 4, Scotty Neitzel 5, Austin Deblauw.

B MAIN

1, Blake Nimee 2, Hunter Custer 3, John Fahl 4, Jack Routson 5, Todd Daun 6, Kris Spitz 7, Jereme Schroeder 8, Kurt Davis 9, Scott Uttech 10, Todd King 11, Bailey Goldesberry.

A MAIN

1, Bill Balog 2, Jake Blackhurst 3, Mike Reinke 4, Joey Moughan 5, Jeremy Schultz 6, Scotty Neitzel 7, Travis Arenz 8, Josh Walter 9, Russel Borland 10, Austin Deblauw 11, John Fahl 12, Robbie Pribnow 13, Jordan Goldesberry 14, Kyle Schuett 15, Sean Rayhall 16, Scotty Thiel 17, Kris Spitz 18, Dave Uttech 19, Jereme Schroeder 20, Hunter Custer 21, Scott Biertzer 22, Blake Nimee 23, Jack Routson 24, Todd Daun.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Scott Conger 2, Kurt Davis 3, Tyler Brabant 4, Blake Wondra 5, Justin Erickson 6, Paul Pokorski 7, Bill Taylor 8, Chris Larson.

HEAT 2

1, Ben Schmidt 2, Kevin Karnitz 3, Brandon Berth 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Tyler Davis 6, Shane Wenninger 7, Tony Wondra 8, Brady Portschy.

HEAT 3

1, Justin Miller 2, Travis Arenz 3, Anthony Knierim 4, Brandon McMullen 5, Tim Haddy 6, Preston Ruh 7, Josh Teunissen 8, Ken Schmick.

HEAT 4

1, Jack Vanderboom 2, Chris Clayton 3, Alex Pokorski 4, Will Gerrits 5, Doug Wondra 6, Tyler Tischendorf 7, Austin Hartmann.

B MAIN

1, Blake Wondra 2, Shane Wenninger 3, Doug Wondra 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Tyler Davis 6, Paul Pokorski 7, Preston Ruh 8, Tony Wondra 9, Josh Teunissen 10, Austin Hartmann 11, Chris Larson 12, Ken Schmick 13, Brady Portschy 14, Bill Taylor 15, Tyler Tischendorf.

A MAIN

1, Will Gerrits 2, Travis Arenz 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Kevin Karnitz 5, Chris Clayton 6, Scott Conger 7, Tim Haddy 8, Lance Fassbender 9, Jack Vanderboom 10, Brandon Berth 11, Brandon McMullen 12, Justin Erickson 13, Anthony Knierim 14, Doug Wondra 15, Paul Pokorski 16, Justin Miller 17, Shane Wenninger 18, Tyler Brabant 19, Blake Wondra 20, Alex Pokorski 21, Tyler Davis 22, Kurt Davis.

AUTOMETER WISCONSIN WINGLESS SPRINT CAR SERIES

HEAT 1

1, Nathan Crane 2, Zach Hansen 3, Jake Kouba 4, Dennis Spitz 5, Tommy Colburn 6, Jim Wehrman 7, Shawn Swim 8, Paul Shaffer 9, George Gaertner III.

HEAT 2

1, Rusty Egan 2, Chris Dodd 3, T.J. Smith 4, William Huck 5, Tom Eller 6, Seth Johnson 7, Clayton Rossmann 8, George Gaertner Jr. 9, Daniel Walldan.

B MAIN

1, Jim Wehrman 2, George Gaertner Jr. 3, Georg Gaertner III 4, Seth Johnson 5, Shawn Swim 6, Paul Shaffer 7, Clayton Rossman 8, Daniel Walldan.

A MAIN

1, Tim Cox 2, Derek Crane 3, Nathan Crane 4, Ryan Marshall 5, Rusty Egan 6, Chris Dodd 7, Allen Hafford 8, Vince Bartolotta 9, T.J. Smith 10, Jimmy Sivia 11, Natalie Klemko 12, Dennis Spitz 13, Tommy Colburn 14, Jordan Paulsen 15, Zach Hansen 16, George Gaertner Jr. 17, Jim Wehrman 18, Chris Klemko 19, William Huck 20, Seth Johnson 21, Tom Eller 22, Brian Strane 23, Jake Kouba 24, George Gaertner III.

INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION LIGHTNING SPRINTS

QUALIFYING

1, Ion Stear 14.020 2, Ron Brannam 14,077 3, C.J. Malueg 14.155 4, Mike Neau 14.173 5, Mike Heinert 14.289 6, Jeff Schmidt 14.362 7, Nick Petska 14.426 8, Josh Rehberg 14.597 9, Shawn McGill 14.727 10, Bob Jeziorski 14.882 11, Mike Unger 14.887 12, Jonathan Smith 15.070 13, 15.080 14, Phil Brannam 15.126 15, Chris Quillman 15.415 16, Andrew Kiedrowski 15.503 17, Carl Sturt.

HEAT 1

1, Nick Petska 2, Mark Heinert 3, C.J. Malueg 4, Ion Stear 5, Shawn McGill 6, Mike Unger 7, Max Brannam, 8, Chris Quillman 9, Carl Sturt.

HEAT 2

1, Jeff Schmidt 2, Josh Rehberg 3, Ron Brannam 4, Mike Neau 5, Bob Jeziorski 6, Andrew Kiedrowski 7, Jonathan Smith 8, Phil Brannam.

A MAIN

1, C.J. Malueg 2, Mark Heinert 3, Ron Brannam 4, Mike Neau 5, Nick Petska 6, Jeff Schmidt 7, Bob Jeziorski 8, Mike Unger 9, Shawn McGill 10, Max Brannam 11, Andrew Kiedrowski 12, Jonathan Smith 13, Car; Sturt 14, Ion Stear 15, Chris Quillman 16, Josh Rehberg – Phil Brannam (DNS).

September 27, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson

McMullen outduels Vanderboom at Dodge County to extend MSA winning streak

Three-time Midwest Sprint Car Association champion and current point leader Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh (98) held off second-year 360 Sprint Car competitor Jack Vanderboom of Dousman (U2) to earn his 30th career MSA A-main victory in in the Fuzzy Fassbender Memorial Race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 25. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 25, 2020 – Three-time Midwest Sprint Car Association champion and current point leader Brandon McMullen Oshkosh held off a spirited challenge from 17-year-old Jack Vanderboom of Dousman to rack up his third straight MSA A-main victory in the 20-lap Fuzzy Fassbender Memorial Race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam. Wis. on Friday, Sept. 25.

The 16th full MSA program of the COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign was run in honor of the late Fuzzy Fassbender, father of current MSA competitor and former series champion Lance Fassender of Burnett, who was one of the most successful open-wheel racers in Southeastern Wisconsin racing history.

The event drew 24 entrants for the second MSA event of the 2020 season at the sprawling “horsepower half mile” facility.

Outside front row starter Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum got the jump on polesitter Tyler Davis of South Milwaukee to lead the opening lap of the 20-lap main event, while fourth starter Jack Vanderbooom bolted into second and sixth starter Lance Fassbender slipped into third.

On lap 2, McMullen made his presence felt as he worked his way up from the eighth starting spot to power around Fassbender into third in the running order exiting turn four.

One lap later, Vanderboom bolted in to pressure Wenninger for the top spot along the low groove of the lightning fast track surface. Wenninger and Vanderboom dueled side by side for the lead over three consecutive laps, before the lone caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 6 when rookie Austin Hartmann of Plymouth spun in turn three.

Under caution, Wenninger’s machine slowed to a stop in turn one and failed to refire, forcing him to retire to the pit area as Vanderboom inherited the lead.

McMullen used strong run on the restart to surge past Vanderboom into the lead with a high move in turn three on lap 7. McMullen wasted no time in building up a solid cushion over Vanderboom as the leaders began to slice their way through lapped traffic during the second half of the race.

On lap 13, five-time MSA champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, who started seventh, pulled off a slide job to pass Fassbender for third in turn three.

Meanwhile, McMullen had his hands full with lapped traffic over the final five circuits, which allowed Vanderboom to close the gap drastically in the closing laps.

On the final lap Vanderboom appeared that he was going to make a challenge for the lead with a big run in turns three and four. However, the second-year MSA 360 Sprint Car competitor jumped the cushion entering turn four and was unable to mount a serious threat in the final corner as McMullen held on to secure his seventh MSA A-main victory of the season, second victory of the 2020 campaign at the Dodge County Fairgrounds and 30th overall career MSA main event win.

After the race, McMullen seemed more impressed with Vanderboom’s runner-up effort, than his own performance.

“It’s awesome to get a win, but I’m pumped for Jack,” McMullen said. “He really gave me a run and made me earn it tonight. He has an awesome future in racing.”

Vanderboom equaled his career-best MSA A-main finish with a second-place showing.

“I almost had him at the end, but things were a little sketchy in turns three and four on that final lap when I got up too high,” Vanderboom said. “Overall, it was a really good night and it feels good to bring the car home second.”

Davis was satisfied with a third-place showing at one of his favorite tracks on the MSA schedule.

“I love this place,” Davis said. “It makes up get up on the wheel, steer, stand on the gas and just go fast. Some people like the smaller tracks and maybe don’t like tracks like this as much, but it is definitely one of my favorite tracks.”

Tim Haddy of Waupun placed fourth after starting fifth and Fassbender rounded out the top five.

Heat race victories went to Brandon Berth of Cascade, Shane Wenninger and Tim Haddy.

The next race on the 2020 MSA schedule is the season finale as part of the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

On-track activity is slated to begin at 4:45 p.m. with qualifying and racing to follow for the all-Sprint Car program, which also features the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association, AutoMeter Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprints.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through a diverse array of promotional strategies and methods, including 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.

 

Midwest Sprint Car Association

Dodge County Fairgrounds

Beaver Dam, Wis.

September 25, 2020

 

HEAT 1

1, Brandon Berth 2, Tyler Davis 3, Jack Vanderboom 4, Scott Conger 5, Chris Larson 6, Kevin Seidler 7, Paul Pokorski – Travis Arenz (DNS).

HEAT 2

1, Shane Wenninger 2, Lance Fassbender 3, Tony Wondra 4, Tyler Brabant 5, Blake Wondra 6, Tyler Tischendorf 7, Preston Ruh 8, Austin Hartmann.

HEAT 3

1, Tim Haddy 2, Kurt Davis 3, Brandon McMullen 4, Justin Miller 5, Will Gerrits 6, Bill Taylor 7, Justin Erickson 8, Chris Clayton.

A MAIN

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Jack Vanderboom 3, Kurt Davis 4, Tim Haddy 5, Lance Fassbender 6, Justin Miller 7, Tyler Davis 8, Tyler Brabant 9, Tyler Tischendorf 10, Will Gerrits 11, Tony Wondra 12, Scott Conger 13, Blake Wondra 14, Bill Taylor 15, Chris Larson 16, Preston Ruh 17, Austin Hartmann 18, Chris Clayton 19, Shane Wenninger 20, Brandon Berth 21, Kevin Seidler – Paul Pokorski (DNS), Justin Erickson (DNS), Travis Arenz (DNS).

 

 

 

September 26, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson

MSA to cap 2020 campaign with Dodge County, Plymouth double dip

Three-time Midwest Sprint Car Association champion Brandon McMullen (98) of Oshkosh will be aiming to secure a fourth MSA crown, while Austin Hartmann (87A) of Plymouth is set to secure the 2020 MSA Rookie of the Year Award, during a championship weekend doubleheader at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 25 and The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. -RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 21, 2020 – The Midwest Sprint Car Association will close out by far the most unusual season in its 22-season history with a doubleheader weekend of action, culminating with the crowning of the 2020 champion, Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26.

The MSA championship weekend is set to kick off with the Fuzzy Fassbender-Rick Schmidt Memorial event at the Dodge County Fairgrounds “horsepower half mile” in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 25 and conclude with the 2020 season curtain closer as part of the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Three-time MSA champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh heads into the final two races of the season with a commanding 85-point lead over Travis Arenz of Sheboygan and an 88-point cushion over five-time MSA champ Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee.

Former Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Justin Miller of Plymouth stands fourth in the MSA points race 133 points out of the lead, while 2005 MSA champ Lance Fassbender of Burnett sits fifth 143 points behind McMullen.

Those three drivers have combined to win 12 of the MSA’s 15 A-main events during the 2020 campaign with McMullen leading the way with six main event wins, including three victories at The Plymouth Dirt Track to go along with single wins at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton, Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam and the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam.

Arenz has tallied four A-main wins, including three at the Plymouth Dirt Track and one at Beaver Dam Raceway, and Davis owns a pair of main event victories this season, including one at The Plymouth Dirt Track and one at Outagamie Speedway Powered by EWSC Racing in Seymour.

McMullen, who now stands third on the all-time MSA A-main win list with 29 main event triumphs, has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his stellar 360 Sprint Car career during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign.

The 11th-year driver, third-generation driver will be looking to stay hot after sweeping an MSA twinbill at the Dodge County Fairgrounds on Sept. 4 and The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, Sept. 5.

“I’d say there was a bit more urgency to start the season with good results considering the late start and threat of racing being shut down at any point,” McMullen said. “I normally struggle early in the year and come on strong at the end. I’m not sure why that is. This year we came out really strong and have been able to continue it throughout the season. Maybe it was a different mindset, hitting the set-ups better, just catching better luck to start the year, or a combination of those things. We’ve never won more than five features in a regular season. To have won six features at the different tracks we’ve run at in a short season like this has far and away exceeded our expectations.”

“With the final weekend coming up, I just need to stay relaxed and have some fun,” McMullen said. “Whatever happens, happens. Hopefully, we can keep riding the hot streak we’ve been on and pick up another win or two.”

MSA championship weekend will also see Austin Hartmann of Plymouth officially wrap up the 2020 MSA Rookie of the Year Award.

“With no previous racing experience coming into the year, my goal was to make it through the year and make consistent laps,” Hartmann said. “Winning the MSA Rookie of the Year Award really means a lot. We are looking forward to closing out the season on a strong note at Dodge County and Plymouth during championship weekend.”

Other top contenders expected to compete during MSA championship weekend include  2011 MSA champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove, 2014 MSA Masters Series champion Paul Pokorski of West Bend, second-year MSA competitor Justin Erickson of Plymouth, Will Gerrits of Waupun, Scott Conger of Eagle, Bill Taylor of Cedar Grove, Tim Haddy of Waupun and Tony Wondra of Campbellsport.

Pokorski, Schmidt and Adam Miller of Plymouth have each collected one victory in MSA A-main action during the 2020 season.

Also on the all-Sprint Car card at the Dodge County Fairgrounds on Friday, Sept. 25 will be the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, along with the AutoMeter Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Cars.

Pit gates open at 3 p.m., spectator gates are set to open at 5 p.m. with warm ups at 6 p.m. and hot laps, qualifying and racing to follow.

Spectator admission is $25 for adults with kids 6-12 $5 and children 5 and under admitted free. Pit admission is $30.

The Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships event on Saturday, Sept. 26 at The Plymouth Dirt Track will feature the final points races of the season for the IRA Sprint Cars, Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Cars, MSA Sprint Cars, PDTR 360 Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprints with 2020 champions crowned in all five divisions.

Pit gates open at 1 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4 p.m., followed by hot laps at 4:45 p.m. with qualifying and racing to follow.

Spectator admission is $25 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12 and children five and under are admitted free. Pit admission is $30 or $25 with appropriate membership.

For those unable to attend in person, the action on both nights will be broadcast live at floracing.com

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through a diverse array of promotional strategies and methods, including 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.

September 21, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson

Walter cranks out second straight IRA top-10 at Outagamie Speedway

Josh Walter steered his 12W Torque Racing 410 Sprint Car to a ninth-place showing with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association Series at Outagamie Speedway Powered by EWSC Racing in Seymour, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 11. -RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 16, 2020 – It may have taken a little while to fire them up, but Josh Walter and the Torque Racing team appears to be hitting on all cylinders in Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action.

The 16th-year Plymouth Wis. competitor backed up a strong seventh-place A-main showing at the Dodge County Fairgrounds “horsepower half mile” in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Sept. 4 by notching a solid ninth-place main event finish at Outagamie Speedway Powered by EWSC Racing in Seymour, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 11 to tally the team’s second consecutive top-10 finish in IRA action.

Walter opened the event by ripping off a qualifying lap of 11.859 seconds to finish fourth out of the 22 cars to take a qualifying circuit around the third-mile clay oval.

After starting third in the first 10-lap IRA heat race, Walter drifted high in turn one of the lightning fast racing surface to fall back to fourth in the running order as Jordan Goldesberry slipped past on the opening lap. On lap 2, Robbie Pribnow moved by to drop Walter to fifth, which is where he finished the race.

Walter then drew the third starting position in the second four-lap dash and held the spot throughout the race to secure the sixth starting spot in the 30-lap IRA A main.

Despite a light rain, which had moved over the track after the completion of the second IRA dash, the IRA main event rolled off with Walter starting from the outside of the third row.

After Jordan Goldesberry and Joey Moughan moved past, Walter completed the first lap in eighth place in the running order. On lap 3, the red flag appeared when Bryce Schmitt flipped in turn three.

After restarting ninth, Walter held his position until a yellow flag came out on lap 5 when Joey Moughan spun in turn four. Walter restarted eighth and briefly took over seventh when Jeremy Schultz jumped the cushion in turn four turn on lap 12.

Two laps later, Schultz battled back to duck under Walter in turn four to move Walter back to eighth. As the leaders started to work their way through lapped traffic, Scott Biertzer charged in to seize eighth and drop Walter back to ninth on lap 27.

Walter held the ninth spot over the final three circuits to secure his second top-10 A-main finish of the 2020 season in a race won by Hunter Schuerenberg.

Walter and Torque Racing team are set to take the upcoming weekend off, before returning to action for a Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series doubleheader at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam on Friday, Sept. 25 and The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Action at The Dodge County Fairgrounds will begin with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25. The program will also include the Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars and Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Cars.

The 2020 IRA season will conclude at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, Sept. 26 with hot laps at 4:45 p.m. with qualifying and racing to follow. The Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships will also include the Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars, Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprint Cars.

For those unable to attend, both races will be broadcast live on pay-per-view at floracing.com.

Torque Racing sponsors for the 2020 season included JDV Lawncare, Brittany’s School of Dance, Sheboygan by Owner, Plymouth Tap, SCA Inc., Doug’s Quality Beef, Cow Pies, Full Throttle Ink, Lakehouse Bar & Grill, Home Transitions, Oostburg Concrete Products, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Torque Racing Sponsor Showcase – Oostburg Concrete Products

The Torque Racing team is pleased to have Oostburg Concrete Products of Oostburg, Wis. on board as a sponsor for the 2020 season.

In 1946, six partners joined hands to form Oostburg Concrete Products. The original owners purchased special equipment to manufacture a wide range of concrete items, which they used during the summer months for construction work.

Oostburg Concrete Products’ recent investment in equipment allows the company to pour concrete through most of the winter months.

One of the original owners, Gordon Veldboom Sr. became the sole owner in 1959. Today, the company is owned and operated by Gordon J. Veldboom Jr., his wife, Helen, and their son, John.

Oostburg Concrete Products offers a complete line of concrete and masonry services, including footings, poured concrete walls, concrete floors, driveways, sidewalks, flatwork, fireplaces and exterior brick in stone.

Oostburg Concrete Products crews cover a large territory, including jobs in Brown, Calumet, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago counties.

For more information or to inquire about services, call Oostburg Concrete Products at 920-564-3341.

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.

2020 Josh Walter-Torque Racing Tentative Upcoming Schedule

Friday, Sept. 25 – Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA)

Saturday, Sept. 26 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)

 

2020 Josh Walter-Torque Racing By The Numbers

Total Events – 9

IRA events – 7

A-Main Victories – 0

B-Main Victories – 0

Top Five A-Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A-Main Finishes – 2

Heat Race Victories – 0

Dash Victories – 1

Dash Appearances – 5

 

September 16, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson

Walter goes top-10 with IRA at Dodge County

Josh Walter recorded a season-best seventh-place finish in the fourth annual Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Harry Neitzel Tribute Race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 4. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 9, 2020 – After enduring a season filled with setbacks and challenges, Josh Walter and the Torque Racing team brushed aside adversity in a big way as it rolled up an impressive top-10 finish with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 4.

With 29 IRA competitors check in for the fourth annual Harry Neitzel Tribute Race, Walter opened the evening by ripping off a scorching lap of 17.643 on the high-speed half mile track to record the second-best qualifying circuit of the evening.

“The car felt great Friday at Dodge County,” Walter said. “I was not expecting to qualify as well as we did. In hot laps, I wasn’t able to run the car as hard as I would have liked to because of traffic. When we went out for qualifying, the only way to find out how good of a car we had was to run as hard as I could out of the gate on the warm-up lap.

“We had quick time once in my 410 career in an IRA race during the fair at Wilmot back in 2015, but it felt great to qualify that well on a half mile,” he said.

After lining up fourth in the second eight-lap IRA heat race, Walter dropped to fourth on lap one when Jack Blackhurst moved past. Three laps later, Walter worked underneath Kyle Schuett along the backstretch to regain third. The 16th-year Plymouth, Wis. driver held on to the third spot over the final four laps to earn a spot in the A main.

Walter then started and finished fifth in the second four-lap IRA dash to claim the 10th starting spot in the 25-lap main event.

In the A main, Walter fell to 13th by lap four before the first of four cautions was displayed on lap eight for a spin involving Russel Borland. After starting 12th, Walter moved to 11th when Ryan Ruhl dropped out of the race. Walter gained another spot when Jeremy Schultz slowed on lap 9 to bring out the second caution flag.

Following the restart, Walter passed Todd King in turn four on lap 13 to move into ninth place. After a caution for debris on lap 18 and a flip on lap 21 involving Scotty Thiel, Walter moved up to eighth in the running order.

Walter continued his strong run by passing Danny Schlafer in turn two on lap 22 en route to a season-best seventh-place finish in a race won by Bill Balog.

“After Antigo, we thought we’d have a good base setup for Dodge County, but I wasn’t expecting it to be that good,” Walter said. “The car really ran well all night. It was a lot of fun to drive.”

The team had planned to be in action with the IRA at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 5.

However, a faulty push rod was detected during routine engine maintenance prior to the racing program, which forced the team to miss the event at its hometown track.

“We found the push rod problem when inspecting the engine before heading to the race at Plymouth,” Walter said. “It appears that it had started to go at Dodge County. We found it at the right, yet unfortunate time.

“We thought it was best to fix it right rather than try to use a band aid to run at Plymouth,” he said. “We have now fixed everything with the engine and will be ready to race on Friday at Outagamie Speedway.”

Walter will be in action with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series at Outagamie Speedway in Seymour, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 11. IMCA Sport Mods and Grand Nationals will also be in action.

Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 6:15 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

For those unable to attend, the race will be broadcast live on pay-per-view at floracing.com.

Torque Racing sponsors for the 2020 season included JDV Lawncare, Brittany’s School of Dance, Sheboygan by Owner, Plymouth Tap, SCA Inc., Doug’s Quality Beef, Cow Pies, Full Throttle Ink, Lakehouse Bar & Grill, Home Transitions, Oostburg Concrete, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Torque Racing Sponsor Showcase – Full Throttle Ink

The Torque Racing team is pleased to have Full Throttle Ink in Sheboygan Falls on board as a sponsor for the 2020 season.

Full Throttle Ink is Sheboygan County’s premier tattoo, piercing, and apparel shop, located at 501 North Main (Highway 32) in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Under the direction of owner Jeff Klug, Full Throttle Ink features a 1,100-square foot state-of-the-art tattoo and piercing parlor, as well as a a complete line of 1940s and 1950s-themed high-end hot-rod style clothing.

Full Throttle Ink, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., also offers Motorcult Apparel, Lucky 13 Apparel and Klug’s personal line of Sheboygan County-exclusive apparel.

To book a tattoo or piercing appointment, call 920-467-2215 or email fullthrottleink@hotmail.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.

2020 Josh Walter-Torque Racing Tentative Upcoming Schedule

Friday, Sept. 11 – Outagamie Speedway, Seymour, Wis. (IRA)

Friday, Sept. 25 – Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA)

Saturday, Sept. 26 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)

2020 Josh Walter-Torque Racing By The Numbers

Total Events – 8

IRA events – 6

A-Main Victories – 0

B-Main Victories – 0

Top Five A-Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A-Main Finishes – 1

Heat Race Victories – 0

Dash Victories – 1

Dash Appearances – 4

September 9, 2020 / by Jeff Pederson