Jeff Pederson, Author at Pedal Down Promotions

Schmidt claims 10th MSA A-main win of 2023 campaign at Wilmot Raceway

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who earned the 2011 Midwest Sprint Car Association championship, picked up his 10th MSA A-main victory of the 2023 season at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 26. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 26, 2023 – A victory-laden campaign rolled on for 2011 Midwest Sprint Car Association champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth as he racked up his 10^th main event triumph of the 2023 Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association season in the 25-lap A main at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 26.

The 21^st MSA event of the 2023 season drew a solid field of 27 360 Sprint Cars for the series’ second visit of the season to the venerable three-eighths mile semi-banked Wilmot Raceway facility.

In the 25-lap main event, rookie Logan Julien of Oconomowoc jumped into the lead in turn two of the opening lap as four-time MSA champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh, who started fourth, moved into second.

On lap 3, a three-car incident along the front stretch involving Lance Fassbender of Burnett, who flipped hard along the front stretch, Chris Larson of Franksville and West Bend’s Alex Pokorski brought out the first red flag of the event. Fassbender was transported to a local hospital for further checkup.

When the race resumed, Matt Vandervere of Zion, Ill., who started sixth, used the high groove to shoot past both McMullen and Julien and seize the lead in turn four on lap 4.

One lap later, Ben Schmidt, who started eighth, worked his way past Julien to grab second before another red flag was displayed when Chris Larson flipped his No. 51 machine on its side in turn two.

Following the restart, McMullen moved past Julien to gain third, while third starter Brandon Berth of Cascade also passed Julien to gain fourth. On lap 10, Vandervere caught the back of the pack and began the process of slicing his way through slower traffic.

On lap 14, Vandevere’s time at the front of the field came to a halt when he spun to a stop in turn three after contact with a lapped car. With Vandervere relegated to restarting the race at the rear of the field, Schmidt inherited the lead with McMullen in second and Berth third.

Schmidt worked primarily the high line of the fast and undulating track surface over the final 10 laps to pull away from McMullen en route to his 10^th MSA main event triumph of the 2023 season and 42^nd career MSA A-main victory.

“In talking with Matt [Vandevere] before the race, he indicated that he would likely be running the high groove, which turned out to be the case,” Schmidt said. “My thought was to start the race by following him around as he definitely knows how to get around this place. If it wasn’t for the issue he had in turn three, I’m not sure if we would have been able to beat him or not.”

McMullen wound up second, Berth took third, Anthony Knierim of Franksville placed fourth after starting 12^th and 10^th starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend rounded out the top five.

Rookie T.J. Smith of Greenville earned the victory in the 12-lap MSA B main.

MSA heat race victories went to five-time MSA champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, Ben Schmidt, 2005 MSA champion Lance Fassbender and Alex Pokorski.

The next race for the MSA 360 Sprint Cars is Friday, Sept. 1 at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. for the annual Harry Neitzel Tribute Race in conjunction with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series. A Modifieds are also on the card.

Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with warm ups at 6 p.m. with hot laps to follow and opening ceremony at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the 2023 Midwest Sprint Car Association season, visit www.msasprints.com or check out the Midwest Sprint Car Association Facebook page.

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.

Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association
Wilmot Raceway
Wilmot, Wis.
August 26, 2023

A Main (25 Laps): 1. 35-Ben Schmidt [8]; 2. 98-Brandon McMullen [4]; 3. 22B-Brandon Berth [3]; 4. 16-Anthony Knierim [12]; 5. 63K-Kevin Karnitz [10]; 6. 85J-Logan Julien [2]; 7. 20R-Rob Pribnow [11]; 8. 69S-TJ Smith [17]; 9. 0-John Fahl [14]; 10. 69-Bill Taylor [18]; 11. 6K-Kurt Davis [9]; 12. 66T-Tristan Koenings [13]; 13. 11-Tony Wondra [21]; 14. 4-Alex Pokorski [5]; 15. 12P-JJ Pagel [15]; 16. 10V-Matt Vandervere [6]; 17. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach [16]; 18. 68-Josh Bilicki [22]; 19. 29J-Ralph Johnson [20]; 20. 21H-TJ Haddy; 21. 51-Chris Larson [1]; 22. 7-Lance Fassbender [7]; 23. (DNS) 38-Jeffrey Neubert

B Main (12 Laps): 1. 69S-TJ Smith [2]; 2. 69-Bill Taylor [3]; 3. 38-Jeffrey Neubert [1]; 4. 29J-Ralph Johnson [4]; 5. 11-Tony Wondra [6]; 6. 68-Josh Bilicki [10]; 7. 21H-TJ Haddy [7]; 8. 53A-Spyder Akright [5]; 9. 7L-Ellie Hensley [9]; 10. 39-Tim Decker [8]

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 6K-Kurt Davis [4]; 2. 63K-Kevin Karnitz [7]; 3. 16-Anthony Knierim [3]; 4. (DNF) 44H-Hayden Johnson [1]; 5. (DNF) 11-Tony Wondra [2]; 6. (DNF) 21H-TJ Haddy [5]; 7. (DNF) 39-Tim Decker [6]

Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 35-Ben Schmidt [2]; 2. 98-Brandon McMullen [3]; 3. 10V-Matt Vandervere [6]; 4. 51-Chris Larson [7]; 5. 38-Jeffrey Neubert [5]; 6. (DNF) 7L-Ellie Hensley [4]; 7. (DNF) 68-Josh Bilicki[1]

Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. 7-Lance Fassbender [2]; 2. 22B-Brandon Berth [3]; 3. 12P-JJ Pagel [1]; 4. 20R-Rob Pribnow [6]; 5. 69S-TJ Smith [4]; 6. 69-Bill Taylor [5]; 7. 29J-Ralph Johnson [7]

Heat 4 (8 Laps): 1. 4-Alex Pokorski [1]; 2. 85J-Logan Julien [3]; 3. 0-John Fahl [2]; 4. 66T-Tristan Koenings [5]; 5. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach [6]; 6. 53A-Spyder Akright [4]

August 27, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Sorce, Gilles crowned PDTR Grand National co-champs, Warner seizes B Mod title

McMullen, Schumacher, Koenig capture PDTR A-main wins

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

Will Sorce of Franklin finished the 2023 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season as a first-time co-champion in the Grand National division, during the final points program of the season on Friday, Aug. 25 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 25, 2023 – After finishing in a season-ending points deadlock, Will Sorce of Franklin and 2010 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth wrapped up the 2023 season as co-champions in the PDTR Grand National division, while two-time PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Malone erased a 20-point deficit in the final points event of the season to add a third division title to his collection, during an eventful 2023 PDTR Grand National and B Mod championship night racing program Friday, Aug. 25 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.

Brian Gilles of Plymouth wrapped up the 2023 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National co-championship to claim his second career PDTR Grand National title and seventh overall division championship at Plymouth on Friday, Aug. 25 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh nailed down his third straight and fifth overall Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main victory of the 2023 campaign to remain on top of the division point standings by 14 points over 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Plymouth with two events remaining in the season.

In the 20-lap Oostburg Automotive Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National main event, Nick Schumacher of Eagle collected his first A-main victory of the 2023 season.

Elijah Koenig of Fox Lake notched his initial triumph of the 2023 campaign in the Next Step Insurance 20

Tim Warner of Malone captured his third career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod championship at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 25. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

-lap B Mod A-main victory of the 2023 campaign.

The scheduled 30-lap WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour A main was cancelled due to rain.

The initial start of the Akright Auto PDTR – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main was aborted when Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade spun in turn two. Following a complete restart, outside front row starter Chris Larson of Franksville jumped into the lead in turn two on the opening lap with polesitter Brandon McMullen following in second.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh racked up his division-leading 32nd career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 25. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

On lap 2, McMullen dove low to secure the top spot exiting turn four. With McMullen in control at the front of the field, Ben Schmidt worked his way up from the seventh starting position to take third from fourth starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend on lap 9.

One lap later, Schmidt shot past Larson to gain the runner-up spot as McMullen began to work his way through slower traffic. Schmidt cut into McMullen’s lead as the laps wound down and was within sight of the top spot when the second and final caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 24 after Chris Clayton of Waldo spun in turn three.

Following a single-file restart, McMullen held off Schmidt’s challenge over the final two laps en route to his division-topping 32nd career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 44th career MSA 360 Sprint main event triumph, along with his third consecutive and fifth overall PDTR A-main victory of the 2023 season.

Schmidt had to settle for second, Pokorski pulled off a final corner pass to finish third, Larson earned a career-best fourth place showing and rookie Tristan Koenings of Van Dyne, who started third, claimed a career-best fifth place finish.

Nick Schumacher of Eagle notched his first career PDTR Grand National A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 25. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

Outside front row starter Donny Kulow of Plymouth grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap PDTR Grand National A main with 2019 PDTR Grand National champ Tyler Kulow Plymouth, who started fourth, settling into second.

The first of three caution flags appeared on lap 2 when Vince Bartolotta of Muskego spun in turn two. On the restart, Tyler Kulow rode the high groove to sweep into the lead on lap 3 before the second caution flag flew when Seth Westimayer of Horicon spun in turn two.

Following the restart, Donny Kulow and 2008 PDTR Grand National champion Matt Yancey of Sheboygan, who started on the pole, waged a spirited duel for the top spot.

On lap 5, the third and final caution flag appeared when Bartolotta spun in turn four. When the race resumed Donny Kulow remained in the lead while Yancey, Tyler Kulow and Nick Schumacher, who started 10th, dueled in three-wide fashion for second.

Schumacher emerged in second place on lap 7 and quickly set his sights on the lead. On lap 9, Schumacher ventured up to the high groove to pressure Donny Kulow before taking control of the top spot in turn one on lap 10.

Eighth starter Justin Pearson of Horicon moved into second on lap 11 and worked the high line to cut the gap on Schumacher in the closing laps. Six laps later, Pearson moved in to pressure Schumacher for the lead starting on lap 17.

However, Schumacher successfully fended off Pearson’s challenge on the way to his second career PDTR Grand National A-main victory and first main event win of the 2023 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Pearson wound up second, Will Sorce of Franklin moved up from the ninth starting spot to place third, Donny Kulow finished fourth and Brian Gilles, who started seventh, placed fifth.

Sorce and Gilles closed out the final Grand National points race program of the 2023 PDTR season tied at the top of the point standings with 855 points apiece to end up as division co-champions. It marked the first PDTR Grand National championship of Sorce’s career. Gilles claimed his second PDTR Grand National title and seventh overall Plymouth track championship (five Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Super Stock, two PDTR Grand National) to move into second on the track’s all-time track championship list behind Gary Laack, who has nine Plymouth track titles to his credit.

It is the first time two drivers have secured co-championship honors at The Plymouth Dirt Track since the 1995 season when Rick Hed and Tim Thompson shared the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Hobby Stock track title.

Elijah Koenig of Beaver Dam collected his fourth career PDTR B Mod A-main win at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 25. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

Outside front row starter Steve Lorier of Sheboygan Falls grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap PDTR B Mod main event with fourth starter Elijah Koenig trailing in second.

After a spirited duel with Lorier, Koenig used the outside groove to power into the top spot in turn two on lap 5. On lap 8, with his eyes set firmly on securing another B Mod track title, Tim Warner, who started sixth, moved past Lorier into second in turn two on lap 8.

While Warner gradually reeled in Koenig during the second half of the race, seventh starter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth moved in to take third on lap 17. Warner cut the gap significantly on the final lap. However, Koenig held on to rack up his fourth career PDTR B Mod A-main victory and first main event triumph of the 2023 campaign at Plymouth.

Warner secured his third PDTR B Mod championship with a second place finish, Schmidt placed third, Lorier wound up fourth and eight starter Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls placed fifth.

After entering a car in 10 of the 11 PDTR Mod events held during the 2023 campaign, Warner came into the night 20 points behind PDTR B Mod points leader Barry Maas of Cascade. Warner used a heat race victory and a second place finish in the A main to edge Travis Schmidt by two points (863-861) in the chase for the 2023 title. Maas encountered a mechanical issue in heat race action, which prevented him from starting the A main and competing for a B Mod championship.

Brett Swedberg of Shawano was the WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour fast qualifier with a lap of 13.691 seconds.

Brandon McMullen earned the Akright Auto PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division fast qualifier award with a lap of 12.783 seconds.

The 15^th event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Kriete Truck Center, drew a total of 78 cars, including 25 WABAM Dirt Kings Tour Late Models, 21 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 19 Grand Nationals and 13 B Mods.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program will take place during the 2023 Sheboygan County Fair on Saturday, Sept. 2, featuring an all-Sprint Car event with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars.

On-track action is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds is located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. For more information, visit www.plymouthdtr.com or check out Plymouth Dirt Track Racing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

WABAM DIRT KINGS LATE MODEL TOUR

Klink Equipment Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 3-Brett Swedberg [1]; 2. 74-Mitch McGrath [3]; 3. 81-Troy Springborn [2]; 4. 10S-Taylor Scheffler [6]; 5. 22-Charlie Schmidt [4]; 6. 55-Joe Bongiorno [5]; 7. 24S-Jayden Schmidt [7]; 8. 03-Kyle Raddant [9]; 9. 5-Lukas Postl [8]

Ken’s Sports Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 99M-Mike Mullen [2]; 2. 89-Brad Mueller [1]; 3. 33E-Chris Engels [4]; 4. 99-Sawyer Specht [6]; 5. 21M-Shawn Miller [3]; 6. 9N-Tom Naeyaert [5]; 7. (DNS) 9Z-Jayme Zidar; 8. (DNS) 7-Joel Bennett

Wehrs Machine Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 15-Nick Anvelink [1]; 2. 42-Terry Casey [2]; 3. 70-Justin Ritchie [3]; 4. 24-Turk Letizia [4]; 5. 25-Jared Siefert [6]; 6. 77-Bill Edler [5]; 7. (DNF) 66-Ron Berna [7]; 8. (DNF) 19J-Justin Green [8]

Klink Equipment Qualifying 1: 1. 3-Brett Swedberg, 13.691 [2]; 2. 81-Troy Springborn, 13.917 [3]; 3. 74-Mitch McGrath, 13.950 [8]; 4. 22-Charlie Schmidt, 13.972 [6]; 5. 55-Joe Bongiorno, 14.195 [4]; 6. 10S-Taylor Scheffler, 14.227 [9]; 7. 24S-Jayden Schmidt, 14.430 [5]; 8. 5-Lukas Postl, 14.810 [7]; 9. (DQ) 03-Kyle Raddant, 14.141 [1]

Ken’s Sports Qualifying 2: 1. 89-Brad Mueller, 13.912 [3]; 2. 99M-Mike Mullen, 14.153 [6]; 3. 21M-Shawn Miller, 14.206 [4]; 4. 33E-Chris Engels, 14.400 [7]; 5. 9N-Tom Naeyaert, 14.459 [1]; 6. 99-Sawyer Specht, 14.529 [5]; 7. (DNS) 9Z-Jayme Zidar; 8. (DNS) 7-Joel Bennett

Wehrs Machine Qualifying 3: 1. 15-Nick Anvelink, 13.708 [7]; 2. 42-Terry Casey, 14.014 [4]; 3. 70-Justin Ritchie, 14.120 [2]; 4. 24-Turk Letizia, 14.194 [5]; 5. 77-Bill Edler, 14.195 [8]; 6. 25-Jared Siefert, 14.421 [6]; 7. (DQ) 66-Ron Berna, 14.541 [1]; 8. (DQ) 19J-Justin Green, 17.107 [3]

AKRIGHT AUTO PLYMOUTH DIRT TRACK RACING 360 SPRINT CARS

A Main (25 Laps): 1. 98-Brandon McMullen [1]; 2. 35-Ben Schmidt [7]; 3. 4-Alex Pokorski [4]; 4. 51-Chris Larson [2]; 5. 66T-Tristan Koenings [3]; 6. 7-Lance Fassbender [8]; 7. 69S-TJ Smith [5]; 8. 85J-Logan Julien [9]; 9. 22B-Brandon Berth [12]; 10. 63K-Kevin Karnitz [13]; 11. 11-Tony Wondra [11]; 12. 3-Justin Erickson [20]; 13. 53A-Paul Pokorski [14]; 14. 12P-JJ Pagel [16]; 15. 66-Nick Daywalt [18]; 16. 54-Randy Post [15]; 17. 69-Bill Taylor [17]; 18. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach [6]; 19. 38-Jeffrey Neubert [21]; 20. 2-Chris Clayton [10]; 21. 21H-TJ Haddy [19]

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 51-Chris Larson [2]; 2. 69S-TJ Smith [4]; 3. 35-Ben Schmidt [3]; 4. 53A-Paul Pokorski [1]; 5. 22B-Brandon Berth [5]; 6. 63K-Kevin Karnitz [7]; 7. 69-Bill Taylor [6]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 4-Alex Pokorski [2]; 2. 98-Brandon McMullen [4]; 3. 7-Lance Fassbender [3]; 4. 11-Tony Wondra [5]; 5. 66-Nick Daywalt [1]; 6. 54-Randy Post [6]; 7. 12P-JJ Pagel [7]

Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 66T-Tristan Koenings [2]; 2. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach [4]; 3. 85J-Logan Julien [3]; 4. 2-Chris Clayton [5]; 5. 38-Jeffrey Neubert [7]; 6. (DNF) 3-Justin Erickson [1]; 7. (DNF) 21H-TJ Haddy [6]

Qualifying 1: 1. 69S-TJ Smith, 12.861 [4]; 2. 35-Ben Schmidt, 12.866 [1]; 3. 51-Chris Larson, 12.932 [6]; 4. 53A-Paul Pokorski, 13.004[5]; 5. 22B-Brandon Berth, 13.042 [7]; 6. 69-Bill Taylor, 13.045 [3]; 7. 63K-Kevin Karnitz, 13.106 [2]

Qualifying 2: 1. 98-Brandon McMullen, 12.783 [2]; 2. 7-Lance Fassbender, 12.914 [1]; 3. 4-Alex Pokorski, 13.002 [3]; 4. 66-Nick Daywalt, 13.013 [4]; 5. 11-Tony Wondra, 13.277 [6]; 6. 54-Randy Post, 13.323 [5]; 7. 12P-JJ Pagel, 13.474 [7]

Qualifying 3: 1. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach, 12.923 [6]; 2. 85J-Logan Julien, 13.050 [3]; 3. 66T-Tristan Koenings, 13.306 [5]; 4. 3-Justin Erickson, 13.308 [4]; 5. 38-Jeffrey Neubert, 13.523 [7]; 6. 2-Chris Clayton, 13.565 [2]; 7. (DNS) 21H-TJ Haddy, 13.565

OOSTBURG AUTOMOTIVE GRAND NATIONALS

A Main: 1. 47-Nick Schumacher [10]; 2. E85-Justin Pearson [8]; 3. 14X-Will Sorce [9]; 4. 95-Donny Kulow [2]; 5. 89-Brian Gilles [7]; 6. 80-Luke Scholten [3]; 7. 24K-Tyler Kulow [4]; 8. 54-Matt Yancey [1]; 9. 23-Matt Loehr [12]; 10. 38S-Aaron Streblow [13]; 11. 34-Steven Weber [6]; 12. 14-Seth Westimayer [5]; 13. 87-Eric Lingford [18]; 14. 3-Jim Wirtz [11]; 15. 6-Dick Hed [16]; 16. 67-Jeff Storm [17]; 17. 6B-Vince Bartolotta [14]; 18. (DNS) 70JR-Jason Schilling; 19. (DNS) 70W-Steven Wirtz

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. E85-Justin Pearson [3]; 2. 80-Luke Scholten [1]; 3. 24K-Tyler Kulow [4]; 4. 95-Donny Kulow [5]; 5. 23-Matt Loehr [2]; 6. 3-Jim Wirtz [6]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 14-Seth Westimayer [1]; 2. 89-Brian Gilles [5]; 3. 54-Matt Yancey [2]; 4. 47-Nick Schumacher [3]; 5. 14X-Will Sorce [6]; 6. 38S-Aaron Streblow [4]

Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 34-Steven Weber [2]; 2. 87-Eric Lingford [6]; 3. 67-Jeff Storm [7]; 4. 70JR-Jason Schilling [5]; 5. 6B-Vince Bartolotta [1]; 6. (DNF) 70W-Steven Wirtz [3]; 7. (DNF) 6-Dick Hed [4]

NEXT STEP INSURANCE B MODS

A Main (25 Laps): 1. 1K-Elijah Koenig [4]; 2. 03W-Tim Warner [6]; 3. 3-Travis Schmidt [7]; 4. 66-Steve Lorier [2]; 5. 17S-Shane Long [8]; 6. 17-Brandon Knepprath [5]; 7. 73-Rory Welch [9]; 8. 59S-Spencer Long [11]; 9. 25-Jim Fischer [1]; 10. 19-Parker Glander [3]; 11. 117-Tom Barnharst [10]; 12. 54-Michael Strean [13]; 13. (DNS) 22M-Barry Maas

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 03W-Tim Warner [4]; 2. 66-Steve Lorier [2]; 3. 1K-Elijah Koenig [7]; 4. 17S-Shane Long [3]; 5. 3-Travis Schmidt [6]; 6. 73-Rory Welch [5]; 7. 117-Tom Barnharst [1]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 17-Brandon Knepprath [2]; 2. 19-Parker Glander [3]; 3. 25-Jim Fischer [1]; 4. (DNF) 59S-Spencer Long [4]; 5. (DNF) 22M-Barry Maas [6]; 6. (DNF) 54-Michael Strean [5]

August 26, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Arenz earns runner-up Angell Park tally, Wilmot hard charger honors in IRA twinbill

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

Travis Arenz turned in a runner-up showing in the 30-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Corn Fest A main at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, Aug. 20. – Allyson’s Photography

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 23, 2023 – On the heels of a two-week break from racing action, Travis Arenz and the members of the Travis Arenz Motorsports got back into the swing of the 2023 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association schedule with a doubleheader weekend featuring events at the Kenosha County Fair at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19, which yielded a hard charger award A-main effort, and Corn Fest at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis., which saw Arenz stand on the podium with a second place A-main finish on Sunday, Aug. 20.

The Sheboygan Falls, Wis. driver opened the Kenosha County Fair IRA program at Wilmot Raceway on Aug. 19 by qualifying 13^th in Group A and 20^th overall in the large 41-car Roger Iles Tribute IRA field with a lap of 13.602 seconds on the three-eighths mile semi-banked clay oval.

The 2021 and 2022 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champion then started and finished seventh in the first eight-lap IRA heat race to miss an A-main transfer spot by two positions.

After lining up fifth in the 12-lap B Main, Arenz worked his way steadily to the front of the field en route to a second place finish to earn a berth in the 30-lap Roger Iles Tribute A-main event.

Arenz rolled off from the 22^nd starting spot in the IRA main event before mounting a spirited run up through the field to pass 11 cars en route to an 11^th place showing to garner IRA Hard Charger Award accolades in a race won by Bill Balog.

“Wilmot was definitely a struggle in the beginning,” Arenz said. “There were 41 cars in attendance and I qualified mid-pack. This started us deep in the heat race and I was unable to transfer to the feature. In the B main, I was able to move up and put the car in the feature. I started 22^nd in the A main and was making good ground. Unfortunately, a caution came and my car had shut off, which sent us to the back yet again. I had a good car and ended up finishing 11^th.”

On Sunday, Aug. 20, Arenz and the members of the Travis Arenz Motorsports team traveled to Angell Park Speedway where Arenz timed in sixth in Group B and 15^th overall among the 34-car field with a lap of 13.393 seconds around the historic third-mile semi-banked clay oval.

After starting on the outside front row of the fourth eight-lap IRA heat race, Arenz got the jump on polesitter Jeremy Schultz to take the lead on the opening lap. The 2023 IRA Rookie of the Year candidate held strong at the front of the field on the way to his third heat race victory of the 2023 campaign, which earned him his fifth 2023 appearance in an IRA dash.

After starting and finishing third in the second IRA four-lap dash, Arenz earned the sixth starting spot in the 30-lap Corn Fest A main before advancing to fifth with a pass on Austin Hartmann on lap 2. After a caution period on lap 8 for the slowing car of Scotty Neitzel, Arenz ripped off a slide job to seize fourth from Jake Neuman.

Following a red flag on lap 13 when Scotty Thiel’s car flipped on its side along the back stretch, Arenz restarted third before getting around Kyle Schuett to assume second place in the runner order. Another spin on lap 16 involving Thiel bunched the field for one last restart.

However, Balog was just too tough as he pulled away from Arenz and the rest of the field en route to the victory, while Arenz followed close behind to assume a podium runner-up showing. The second place A-main result marked Arenz’s 10^th top-five A-main finish and 12^th top-10 main event showing of the 2023 season.

“At Angell Park, we made do with what we had,” Arenz said. “We did not have our usual push vehicle, so we had to carry everything to the infield for qualifying. We forgot many things I would have liked to have, but we made it work and I was eighth quick in my group. We won our heat race, which put us in the dash and we rolled out sixth for the feature. The car again was good and finished second.”

“Unfortunately, the accusations of cheating are resurfacing,” he said. “While we were in tech at Angell Park on the scales, we were given a verbal warning for the ‘abnormal noise’ produced by my foot.”

The Travis Arenz Motorsports team is set to compete in an out-of-state IRA doubleheader weekend, firing up on Friday, Aug. 25 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. The Mini Hauler and Vintage Modified divisions are also on the card.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 5 p.m., followed by hot laps at 6:15 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug. 26, the Travis Arenz Motorsports team will make its first appearance at Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. as part of a Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association (IRA) – Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA) co-sanctioned 410 Sprint Car event. DIRTcar Late Models, DIRTcar Pro Modifieds and DIRTcar Sport Compacts will also be in action.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 5 p.m., hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

“I am looking forward to going back to 34 Raceway,” Arenz said. “I’m hoping to have a better outcome than last time. I am always excited to be able to compete at tracks I have never raced at before, like I-55 this weekend. I’m hoping we have good results, as well.”

All 2023 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events will be streamed live on FloRacing.

The 2023 Travis Arenz Motorsports sponsorship partners include Professional Plating Inc., Service One Transportation, Inc, Don and Lynn Kiel, Oostburg Concrete, Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Schoen’s Wildlife Removal, Premier Insurance Solutions-Craig Ladwig, Pallet Works, DW Fence, Little Bears Tree Service LLC, Lake Auto Glass and Service, Myhre Construction LLC, Roth’s Auto Restoration, Hair Fellers Barbershop, Fastenal of Plymouth, Jensen Sales and Humphrey’s Turner Hall Bar & Grill, Carbliss Hand Crafted Cocktails, Amy Bruechert Reality, Cornwell Tools-Paul Epping, Advanced Engine Concepts, Inc., Duehring’s Tax Service, Everhope Show Cattle, HRP Wings and Behling Racing Equipment.

The 2023 Travis Arenz Motorsports team consists of pit crew members Greg Piedot, Jerrod Gamb, Emily Stadler, Cameron Fritz, Bobby Bonelli and Trevor Hittman (public relations).

Additional information on the Travis Arenz Motorsports team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Travis Arenz Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Hair Fellers Barbershop

Travis Arenz Motorsports is proud to have Hair Fellers Barbershop on board as a sponsorship partner for the team’s rookie season of competition with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series in 2023.

Owned and operated by Ann Lange, Hair Fellers Barbershop is located at 622 Madison Ave. in Howards Grove, Wis.

To learn more or to make an appointment, call 920-254-5198 or visit Hair Fellers Barbershop on Facebook and Instagram.

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.

Travis Arenz Motorsports
Upcoming 2023 Schedule

Friday, August 25 – 34 Raceway, West Burlington, Iowa (IRA)
Saturday, August 26 – Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway, Mo. (IRA-MOWA)
Friday, Sept. 1 – Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, Sept. 2 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)

Travis Arenz Motorsports
410 Sprint Car
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 22
IRA Events – 21
All Star Events – 3
A Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 10
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 12
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 16
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 17
Heat Race Victories – 3
B Main Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 5
Dash Victories – 1
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0

Travis Arenz Motorsports
360 Sprint Car
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total MSA-PDTR Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Heat Race Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0

August 24, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Hartmann showcases speed, nabs Angell Park top-15 in Wisconsin staple track IRA doubleheader

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

Austin Hartmann turned in a 14th place finish in the 30-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Corn Fest A-main event at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, Aug. 20. – Allyson’s Photography

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 23, 2023 – Following a two-week hiatus from racing competition, Austin Hartmann and the members of the 87A Hartmann Racing team fired up the home stretch of the 2023 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series season with a pair of events at two of the circuit’s mainstay facilities – Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19 and Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, Aug. 20.

Hartmann opened up the IRA weekend double dip with the annual Roger Iles Tribute event during the Kenosha County Fair at Wilmot Raceway by qualifying 16^th in Group B and 32^nd overall in the stout 41-car field with a lap of 13.910 seconds.

The 2020 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Award recipient then started eighth and placed seventh in the second eight-lap IRA heat race before starting and finishing 10^th in the 12-lap B main to fall six spots short of an A-main transfer spot.

The disappointment of missing the Wilmot A-main field didn’t linger long, as the 87A Hartmann Racing team got right back to it 24 hours later at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. for the annual Corn Fest event on Sunday, Aug. 20.

Hartmann got back on track with a characteristically strong qualifying effort by registering second fastest Group B time and the 10^th fastest overall qualifying lap in the 34-car field with a lap of 13.139 seconds.

The Plymouth, Wis. competitor lined up fourth in the fourth eight-lap IRA heat race and exchanged the third place position with Mike Reinke during the race before earning an A-main transfer position, as well as a spot in the dash for the sixth time in 2023 with a fourth place finish.

After drawing the pole in the first four-lap IRA dash, Hartmann placed second behind Scotty Thiel to claim the fourth starting spot in the 30-lap IRA Corn Fest main event.

The fourth-year Sprint Car driver utilized the bottom part of the track for the majority of the race en route to a 14^th place finish in a race won by Bill Balog. The 14^th place effort marked Hartmann’s 10^th top-15 A-main showing of the 2023 IRA season.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team is set to hit the road for an IRA doubleheader kicking off Friday, Aug. 25 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. The Mini Hauler and Vintage Modified divisions are also on the card.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 5 p.m., followed by hot laps at 6:15 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug. 26, the 87A Hartmann Racing team will make its first appearance at Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. for a co-sanctioned Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association (IRA) and Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA) 410 Sprint Car Series event. DIRTcar Late Models, DIRTcar Pro Modifieds and DIRTcar Sport Compacts will also be in action.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 5 p.m., hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

All IRA events during the 2023 season are streamed live on FloRacing.

Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.

The sponsorship partners for the 2023 87A Hartmann Racing team include Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Competition Specialists, Schmidt’s Landscaping, Feldmann Sales & Service, Holler n Hills, Steinpreis Trucking, KSI Supply Inc., Quasius Construction, SwitchGear Brewing LLC, TheD8Dispensary, AF Inc., Hopf Farms, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Berryman Racing Shocks and Maxim Chassis.

The 2023 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Eric Bergschultz, Parker Annis, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham and Kristine Hartmann.

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Schmidt’s Landscaping

Located at 3127 County Road A in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., Schmidt’s Landscaping offers full lawn landscape design, along with mulch and soil delivery, weather features, hardscape, outdoor lighting, irrigation systems, seeding, sodding, hydro turf, pruning, shrub planting, tiling, light excavating, patio and retaining wall services. In addition, Schmidt’s Landscaping provides snow removal and plowing services during the winter months.

Schmidt’s Landscaping has provided beautiful landscape designs, concrete and patio work, floral and trees galore for 38 years starting with original owners Cliff and Marian Schmidt, then passed down to their son-in-law Brian, and now to Cliff and Marian’s nephew, Tim, and his wife, Tabitha.

To contact Schmidt’s Landscaping, call 920-565-3782, email brian@schmidtlandscaping.com, visit https://www.schmidtlandscaping.com or check out the Schmidt’s Landscaping Facebook and Twitter pages.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Austin Hartmann – 87A Hartmann Racing
2023 Upcoming Schedule

Friday, Aug. 25 – 34 Raceway, West Burlington, Iowa (IRA)
Saturday, Aug. 26 – Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway, Pevely, Mo. (IRA/MOWA)
Friday, Sept. 1 – Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, Sept. 2 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 27
IRA Events – 21
World of Outlaws Events – 3
All Star Events – 4
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 6
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 10
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 18
Heat Race Victories – 2
Dash Appearances – 6
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0

August 23, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Alex, Paul Pokorski steer Akright Auto 360 Sprint Cars to top-10 showings at Plymouth

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

Alex Pokorski registered his 18th top-10 A-main finish of the 2023 Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car season with a 10th place result in the 25-lap Plymouth DIrt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 22, 2023 – One week after turning in a pair of top-five A-main finishes, the father-son driving tandem of Paul and Alex Pokorski each recorded top-10 main event tallies in Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19.

With 20 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars on hand, Alex opened the night strong by earning his second fast qualifier award of the 2023 season with a fast lap of 12.534 seconds around the third-mile semi-banked clay oval.

In the second 10-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race, Alex started fourth and fell back to fifth when Kevin Karnitz snuck past in the early going. The fourth-year 360 Sprint Car racer held down the fifth position throughout the race on the fast and challenging track surface.

Following the calculation of the passing points formula and inversion draw, Alex lined up 16^th in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car headliner. The West Bend, Wis. driver put together a solid run through the field, advancing to 12^th on lap 3 after sweeping past Tristan Koenings and Katelyn Krebsbach.

The lone caution of the event flew on lap 16 when Koenings stalled along the front stretch. Following the restart, Alex advanced to 10^th on lap 19 and maintained the spot over the final six laps to earn his 18^th top-10 A-main finish in 19 2023 MSA events in a race won by Brandon McMullen.

“I was happy to get our second quick time award of the year,” Alex said. “It was a bit frustrating to end up fifth in the heat race after starting fourth, but these things happen. I knew it was going to be tough to pass due to the narrow, fast track in the feature. I wanted to make the top 10, and we did end up doing that. We had a nice run in the feature and I feel like we had a car that could’ve finished in the top five, if we started two rows further up.”

Paul Pokorski qualified Spyder Akright’s 53A car seventh overall in the 20-car field with a lap of 12.782 seconds before lining up on the pole of the second 10-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race. Outside front row starter Tyler Davis got the jump on Paul on the drop of the green flag which resulted in a second place finish for the 31-year open-wheel racing veteran.

For the second week in a row, the 2014 MSA Masters Series champion started on the pole of the 25-lap PDTR-MSA main event before falling to third on the opening lap as Lance Fassbender and Brandon McMullen snuck past in turn two.

Paul Pokorski turned in a ninth place showing in the seat of Spyder Akright’s 53A car, during the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Paul held down the third spot until Ben Schmidt moved by following the lone caution of the race on lap 16. With five laps remaining, Paul got sideways coming off of turn two, which caused him to lose several spots.

The three-time Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified champion settled in the ninth position, which is where he finished the race to tally his third top-10 A-main finish of the PDTR-MSA 2023 campaign.

“I was happy with the qualifying effort, as it put us in a good spot for the heat race,” Paul said. “I was a little disappointed that we couldn’t come away with the win in the heat race because I thought the car was pretty good. It was nice to be able to start on the pole of the A main for the second week in a row. Unfortunately, the result wasn’t quite as good. The track had a little bit of character and I missed the set up just a little bit. Then I made a few too many mistakes, which obviously cost us a lot of spots. That was disappointing but we’re in one piece and we will go at it again on Friday at Plymouth.”

Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team will compete in an Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association doubleheader weekend of action starting Friday, Aug. 25 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis., which will also feature the WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour, PDTR Grand Nationals and B Mods.

Paul Pokorski is also scheduled to be in the seat of Spyder Akright’s 53A 360 Sprint Car at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Friday, Aug. 25.

Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. with qualifying set at 6 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug. 26, Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team will head to Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. for the second MSA 360 Sprint Car event of the 2023 campaign at the three-eighths mile semi-banked clay oval. The Badger Midgets, A Modifieds and Bandits are also on the card.

Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2023 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Mulch Express of Wisconsin, Countryside Designs, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, Homestead Auto, Cedar Valley Hunt Club, Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Novak’s Service Center

Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 51^styear in business in 2023.

Novak’s Service Center is a locally owned, second-generation, family-owned, five-bay auto repair center, which has been serving customers in the Lakeshore area since 1972.

Novak’s Service Center offers comprehensive auto repair services, including 4 x 4 services, brakes, car and truck care, domestic cars and trucks, electrical services, electronic services, engine and transmission, engine maintenance, expired warranty care, general service, heating and cooling services, import cars and trucks, quick lube services, tires, towing, transmission and undercar services.

Located at 1320 Washington St. in Manitowoc, Novak’s Service Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To schedule an appointment, call 920-684-5737 or visit www.novaks1320.com.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Akright Auto

Located at 106 North Bluebird Lane in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Akright Auto has served as a reliable source for auto parts since 1940.

With a highly trained staff of auto parts professionals, Akright Auto is well prepared to assist customers with vehicle repair needs with a wide assortment of affordable, high-quality auto parts available on site. If a part is not available, Akright Auto offers next-day delivery services.

In addition, Akright Auto provides full auto salvage services, along with a 90-day standard warranty on all parts purchases.

Contact Akright Auto by phone at 920-467-4201, toll free at 800-400-4201, via email at dakright12@gmail.com or visit www.akrightauto.com.

For more information on Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pokorskimotorsports or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Alex Pokorski – Akright Auto Racing Team
2023 Remaining Schedule

Friday, Aug. 25 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 26 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.
Friday, Sept. 1 – Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, Beaver Dam, Wis.
Saturday, Sept. 2 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Sept. 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 19
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 9
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 18
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 19
Heat Race Victories – 2
Fast Qualifier Awards – 2

Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 7
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 3
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 4
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0

August 22, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Points leader McMullen motors to fourth 2023 PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph

Weber, Warner, Zellmer bag PDTR main event victories

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh collected his fourth PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2023 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 19, 2023 – Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion and current division points leader Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh kept himself in the driver’s seat for another title by claiming his fourth 25-lap Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Car main event victory of the 2023 season Saturday, Aug. 19 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.

Steven Weber of Plymouth secured his first A-main victory of the 2023 campaign in a hotly contested 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National main event.

Two-time PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Malone notched his fifth Next Step Insurance 25-lap B Mod A-main victory of the 2023 campaign.

Adam Zellmer of Horicon captured his second 20-lap 106.5 The Buzz Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series A main of the 2023 season in the Legends’ third and final 2023 appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Outside front row starter Lance Fassbender of Burnett outpowered polesitter Paul Pokorski of West Bend to grab the lead in turn one of the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car headliner.

Meanwhile, fourth starter and Plymouth native Brandon McMullen moved past both Justin Erickson of Plymouth and Pokorski to secure second in turn two of the opening lap. On lap 6, Fassbender, who captured the 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car championship, caught the back of the field and began to maneuver his way through lapped traffic.

Three laps later, McMullen moved in to challenge Fassbender for the top spot along the low groove of the fast and challenging track surface. On lap 10, McMullen used the outside line to vault into the lead exiting turn four.

Five laps later, McMullen found himself boxed in behind side-by-side lapped traffic, which allowed Fassbender to reduce the lead gap. On lap 16, the lone caution flag of the race appeared when rookie Tristan Koenings of Van Dyne stopped along the apron of the frontstretch exiting turn four.

Following the restart, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started ninth, moved past Pokorski to assume third on lap 17. With McMullen holding down a comfortable lead as the laps wound down, Schmidt moved in to pressure Fassbender for the runner-up spot.

Schmidt then executed a low move to clear Fassbender in turn three on the white flag lap and gain second place, while McMullen notched his all-time division-leading 31^st career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 43^rd career Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main triumph, along with his fourth PDTR and fifth MSA main event win of the 2023 season.

Schmidt placed second, Fassbender wound up third, Justin Erickson came home fourth and 10^th starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend placed fifth.

“It was pretty tough to pass in turns one and two, but it was pretty good in turns three and four,” McMullen said. “I like tracks like this that have a little bit of character. I have to give props to my guys. The car was really good all night.”

Heading into the final three events of the 2023 PDTR season, McMullen leads Schmidt by nine points in the chase for the PDTR 360 Sprint Car title with Karnitz 89 points behind in third.

Three-time PDTR Grand National champion Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis, who started second, grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National main event as fourth starter Steven Weber powered into second with Nick Schumacher of Eagle, who started third, settling into third. On lap 7, Schumacher and Weber dueled side by side for second with Weber retaining the spot one lap later.

Steven Weber of Plymouth earned his fourth career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National main event triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

When Sorce Jr. bobbled slightly on the 11^th circuit, Weber pounced as he charged in to seize the top spot from Sorce Jr. in turn three, while Schumacher followed into the runner-up spot. Two laps later, six-time Plymouth Super Stock and Grand National champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth, who started sixth, moved into third.

Schumacher cut the gap significantly on lap 17 as Weber dealt with lapped traffic, while Gilles, eighth starter Will Sorce of Franklin and fifth starter Justin Pearson of Horicon ran in close quarters formation at the front of the field.

While the top five competitors ran with a blanket over them, Weber continued to fend off Schumacher’s challenges, while Sorce ducked under Gilles to take over third on lap 22.

Weber successfully held off the fast train of cars immediately behind him to claim his fourth career PDTR Grand National A-main victory and first main event triumph of the 2023 campaign.

Schumacher placed second, Sorce was third. Gilles wound up fourth and Pearson finished fifth.

Sorce heads into the final points race of the 2023 PDTR Grand National season on Friday, Aug. 25 with a two-point lead over Gilles, who collected the 2010 PDTR Grand National title, and a 35-point cushion over 2019 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth in the battle for the 2023 championship.

Outside front row starter Barry Maas of Cascade led the opening lap before polesitter Dan Melton of Rhinelander battled back to seize the lead on lap 2 of the 25-lap PDTR B Mod main event.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod champ Tim Warner of Malone notched his fifth PDTR B Mod A-main victory of the 2023 season on Saturday, Aug. 19 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

On lap 3, Tim Warner moved up from the fourth starting spot to slip past Maas into second with a low move in turn four. Two laps later, Warner began to hound Melton for the lead.

Warner stayed patient over the next 10 laps as he worked the high, low and middle grooves before finally diving low to gain the lead in turn three when Melton drifted high in turn two on lap 15.

Over the final 10 laps, Melton, third starter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth, Jonathon Baumann of Sheboygan, who started seventh, and Maas sliced and diced for the remaining top-five spots.

Warner cruised to his division-leading 12^th career PDTR B Mod A-main victory and fifth A-main triumph of the 2023 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Melton wound up second, Schmidt was third, Baumann took fourth and Maas rounded out the top five.

Maas holds a 12-point lead over Schmidt with one race remaining in the 2023 PDTR B Mod season on Friday, Aug. 25. Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls stands 14 points behind in third and Warner sits fourth 20 points in back of the leader with one night left in the 2023 PDTR B Mod campaign.

After starting on the outside of the third row, Adam Zellmer flexed his muscle early to emerge from a three-wide duel with second starter Hunter Cardinal of Richfield and fourth starter Dallas Ross of Sussex to commandeer the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series main event.

Zellmer then pulled away from Ross and maintained a solid lead cushion throughout the remainder of the race. Behind Zellmer and Ross, ninth starter Hayden Schmuhl of Beaver Dam, eighth starter Eric Blumer of Sun Prairie, Cardinal and Ryan Sullivan of Waupun, who started seventh, engaged in a spirited duel for third starting on lap 15.

Fellmer built up a full-straightaway lead over Ross on lap 18 before a red flag appeared on lap 19 when Ryan Sullivan flipped in turn two.

Following the restart, Fellmer held strong to secure his second 2023 Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series A-main at Plymouth and third overall Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series main event win of the season.

Adam Zellmer of Horicon earned his second 2023 Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series main event victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

Ross placed second, Blumer was third, Schmuhl placed fourth and 10^th starter Austin Winkel of Sheboygan Falls rounded out the top five.

Alex Pokorski of West Bend claimed his second fast qualifier award of the 2023 season in the Akright Auto PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a lap of 12.534 seconds.

The 14^th event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Schwaller’s Painting & Staining, drew a total of 65 cars, including 21 Grand Nationals, 20 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 13 B Mods and 11 Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series cars.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Friday, Aug. 25 will feature the lone WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour appearance of the 2023 racing season at The Plymouth Dirt Track for a $2,000-to-win event presented by Galloping Ghost Motorsports & Transport.

PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars will also be on the card, along with the final points events of the 2023 season for the PDTR Grand Nationals and B Mods with championships crowned in both divisions.

Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. with qualifying at 6 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m.

AKRIGHT AUTO PLYMOUTH DIRT TRACK RACING 360 SPRINT CARS

A Main (25 Laps): 1. 98-Brandon McMullen [4]; 2. 35-Ben Schmidt [9]; 3. 7-Lance Fassbender [2]; 4. 3-Justin Erickson [3]; 5. 63K-Kevin Karnitz [10]; 6. 69S-TJ Smith [7]; 7. 68T-Tyler Davis [5]; 8. 85J-Logan Julien [12]; 9. 53A-Paul Pokorski [1]; 10. 4-Alex Pokorski [16]; 11. 22B-Brandon Berth [8]; 12. 69-Bill Taylor [6]; 13. 51-Chris Larson [17]; 14. 21H-TJ Haddy [18]; 15. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach [11]; 16. 30-Doug Wondra [19]; 17. 66T-Tristan Koenings [13]; 18. 12P-JJ Pagel [15]; 19. 11-Tony Wondra [14]; 20. 54-Randy Post [20]

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 98-Brandon McMullen [1]; 2. 3-Justin Erickson [2]; 3. 7-Lance Fassbender [4]; 4. 11-Tony Wondra [3]; 5. 85J-Logan Julien [6]; 6. 21H-TJ Haddy [5]; 7. 30-Doug Wondra [7]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 68T-Tyler Davis [2]; 2. 53A-Paul Pokorski [1]; 3. 35-Ben Schmidt [3]; 4. 63K-Kevin Karnitz [5]; 5. 4-Alex Pokorski [4]; 6. 12P-JJ Pagel [7]; 7. 54-Randy Post [6]

Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 69-Bill Taylor [2]; 2. 69S-TJ Smith [1]; 3. 22B-Brandon Berth [3]; 4. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach [4]; 5. 66T-Tristan Koenings [6]; 6. 51-Chris Larson [5]

Qualifying 1: 1. 7-Lance Fassbender, 13.182 [2]; 2. 11-Tony Wondra, 13.221 [6]; 3. 3-Justin Erickson, 13.241 [1]; 4. 98-Brandon McMullen, 13.387 [5]; 5. 21H-TJ Haddy, 13.410 [7]; 6. 85J-Logan Julien, 13.458 [4]; 7. 30-Doug Wondra, 13.704 [3]

Qualifying 2: 1. 4-Alex Pokorski, 12.534 [5]; 2. 35-Ben Schmidt, 12.611 [7]; 3. 68T-Tyler Davis, 12.743 [4]; 4. 53A-Paul Pokorski, 12.782 [2]; 5. 63K-Kevin Karnitz, 12.819 [6]; 6. 54-Randy Post, 13.163 [1]; 7. 12P-JJ Pagel [3]

Qualifying 3: 1. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach, 12.672 [4]; 2. 22B-Brandon Berth, 12.677 [2]; 3. 69-Bill Taylor, 12.750 [1]; 4. 69S-TJ Smith, 12.913 [5]; 5. 51-Chris Larson, 12.950 [3]; 6. 66T-Tristan Koenings, 13.025 [6]

OOSTBURG AUTOMOTIVE GRAND NATIONALS

A Main: 1. 34-Steven Weber [4]; 2. 47-Nick Schumacher [3]; 3. 14X-Will Sorce [8]; 4. 89-Brian Gilles [6]; 5. E85-Justin Pearson [5]; 6. 80-Luke Scholten [9]; 7. 16-Will Schumacher [7]; 8. 53W-Dustin Weiss [11]; 9. 6-Dick Hed [1]; 10. 95-Donny Kulow [10]; 11. 99-Donald Sorce Jr. [2]; 12. 5M-Jeff Muehlbauer [13]; 13. 54-Matt Yancey [12]; 14. 24K-Tyler Kulow [16]; 15. 5R-Nate Ruh [14]; 16. 23-Scott Kafka [17]; 17. 5-Nick Wunrow [15]; 18. 55-Don Singer [18]; 19. 41-Mark Haskins [20]; 20. 6B-Vince Bartolotta [19]; 21. 93-Mavrick Ruh [21]

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 16-Will Schumacher [1]; 2. 34-Steven Weber [2]; 3. 99-Don Sorce Jr. [4]; 4. 95-Donny Kulow [5]; 5. 54-Matt Yancey [7]; 6. 23-Matt Loehr [6]; 7. 41-Mark Haskins [3]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 89-Brian Gilles [1]; 2. 47-Nick Schumacher [2]; 3. 80-Luke Scholten [3]; 4. 53W-Dustin Weiss [5]; 5. 24K-Tyler Kulow [4]; 6. 5-Nick Wunrow [7]; 7. 55-Don Singer [6]

Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 14X-Will Sorce [2]; 2. 6-Dick Hed [1]; 3. E85-Justin Pearson [5]; 4. 5M-Jeff Muehlbauer [4]; 5. 5R-Nate Ruh [6]; 6. 6B-Vince Bartolotta [3]; 7. (DNF) 93-Mavrick Ruh [7]

NEXT STEP INSURANCE B MODS

A Main (25 Laps): 1. 03W-Tim Warner [4]; 2. 81-Dan Melton [1]; 3. 3-Travis Schmidt [3]; 4. 70-Jonathon Baumann [7]; 5. 22M-Barry Maas [2]; 6. 17S-Shane Long [6]; 7. 66-Steve Lorier [5]; 8. 73-Rory Welch [9]; 9. 84-Mark Hoeppner [10]; 10. 59S-Spencer Long [8]; 11. 19-Parker Glander [11]; 12. 17-Brandon Knepprath [12]; 13. 19H-Riley Hull [13]

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 03W-Tim Warner [2]; 2. 66-Steve Lorier [3]; 3. 22M-Barry Maas [6]; 4. 70-Jonathon Baumann [5]; 5. 19-Parker Glander [1]; 6. 19H-Riley Hull [7]; 7. 17-Brandon Knepprath [4]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 3-Travis Schmidt [1]; 2. 17S-Shane Long [3]; 3. 81-Dan Melton [6]; 4. 59S-Spencer Long [2]; 5. 73-Rory Welch [4]; 6. 84-Mark Hoeppner [5]

106.5 THE BUZZ WISCONSIN LEGENDS RACING DIRT SERIES

A Main (20 Laps): 1. 117-Adam Zellmer [6]; 2. 87-Dallas Ross [4]; 3. 6E-Eric Blumer [8]; 4. 59S-Hayden Schmuhl [9]; 5. 88-Austin Winkel [10]; 6. 45C-Hunter Cardinal [2]; 7. 51-Tim Franz [11]; 8. 5G-Matt Gritt [5]; 9. 95M-Mike Mueller [3]; 10. 54W-Nate Werner [1]; 11. 20-Ryan Sullivan [7]

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 117-Adam Zellmer [4]; 2. 45C-Hunter Cardinal [2]; 3. 88-Austin Winkel [6]; 4. 87-Dallas Ross [3]; 5. 6E-Eric Blumer [5]; 6. 51-Tim Franz [1]

Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 20-Ryan Sullivan [4]; 2. 95M-Mike Mueller [2]; 3. 59S-Hayden Schmuhl [5]; 4. 5G-Matt Gritt [3]; 5. 54W-Nate Werner [1]

August 20, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Paul and Alex Pokorski hit father-son top-five mark at head of Plymouth MSA A-main field

Paul Pokorski (53A) raced to a third place finish and Alex Pokorski (4) claimed a fourth place showing in the 25-lap Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 12. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 15, 2023 – Paul and Alex Pokorski enjoyed the type of night that will live long in the memories of family, friends team members, supporters and fans, as the father-son racing duo steered their Spyder Akright-owned 360 Sprint Cars to top-five showings in Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 12.

With 24 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars on hand, Alex Pokorski reeled off the fourth fastest qualifying time with a lap of 12.808 seconds around the third-mile semi-banked clay oval.

After lining up third in the second 10-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race, Alex dove low to pass front row starters Tony Wondra and Logan Julien and seize the early lead in turn two of the opening lap.

On lap 2, Ben Schmidt used the high groove to relegate Alex to second, which is where he finished the race to gain an A-main starting berth.

Alex rolled off third in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main and moved past outside front row starter T.J. Smith to assume second in turn one on the opening lap to trail his father, Paul, who led the first five laps of the race from the pole.

On lap 4, Brandon McMullen powered around Alex to push the No. 4 Akright Auto car back to third in the running order. On lap 10, Ben Schmidt bolted past Alex to drop the West Bend driver back to fourth.

The first of two caution flags appeared on lap 15 when Justin Erickson spun in turn four. After the restart, T.J. Smith pulled off a slide job to briefly seize fourth from Alex. However, the fourth-year Sprint Car racer battled back to return the slide job favor and regain fourth in turn four on lap 16.

Alex held on through a lap 21 caution and heavy lapped traffic in the closing stages of the race to record a fourth place finish, which marked his ninth top-five and 17^th top-10 finish in 18 2023 MSA A-main events.

“Qualifying and the heat race both went well,” Alex said. “When you start a race up front, the initial thought is always to keep yourself in contention for the win. I thought the race went well, but I didn’t quite have the edge to beat the guys in front of me, one of them being my dad [Paul Pokorski]. It was fun to race with him and to have both of us finish in the top five. That’s not something everyone gets to do. I enjoyed the night, even though he ended up beating me. I’m looking forward to finishing out the season strong with the team.”

Paul Pokorski (left) and Alex Pokorski (right) each collected top-five A-main finishes in the 25-lap Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 12. Paul earned a third place podium finish in his sixth 2023 appearance in Spyder Akright’s 53A car to best Alex by one spot. – Akright Auto Racing Team-Pokorski Motorsports photo

In his sixth appearance of the 2023 season in Spyder Akright’s 53A car, Paul Pokorski began the night by qualifying 13^th overall with a lap of 13.109 seconds.

After starting fifth in the second 10-lap PDTR-MSA heat race, Paul used a low move on lap 3 to work past Tony Wondra to take fourth. Two laps later, Paul maneuvered around Logan Julien to take third, which is where he finished.

Following the calculation of the heat race passing point formula and subsequent A-main inversion draw, Paul lined up on the pole of the 25-lap main event. The 31-year 360 Sprint Car and Winged Super Modified racing veteran bolted into the lead on the drop of the green flag and paced the first five laps before Brandon McMullen shot past along the outside groove to take over the lead in turn one on lap 6.

Paul maintained the runner-up spot until lap 12 when Ben Schmidt worked his way past to move Pokorski back to third. Paul worked the preferred outside groove to hold strong through a pair of caution flags and thick lapped traffic during the second half of the race on the way to a strong third place podium finish in a race won by Brandon McMullen.

It was Paul’s first top-five A-main finish and second top-10 main event showing in six 2023 appearances in Spyder Akright’s 53A machine.

“I was a little disappointed in my qualifying effort,” Paul said. “I thought the car was just a tick better than that. I was following another car in qualifying and got held up just a little bit on the entry to a corner or two and I think that probably cost us a little. In the end, it worked out as we passed a few cars in the heat race. The car felt pretty good. I think I’m finally starting to get comfortable with this car.

“When the invert put me on the pole for the A main, I got a little nervous,” he said. “I haven’t been nervous in a while. We made a fair amount of changes and I wasn’t sure it would be comfortable in the feature, so I was a little tentative at the start. Once we got a couple of laps in and the car felt good, the nerves certainly went away, and I had a good time. Even though I thought I was holding my own, I was pretty certain that Alex [Pokorski] would go past at some point. I knew from the scoreboard he was right behind me. You always want your kid to do good, but every once in a while, it’s nice to beat them too, so we’ll take it as a victory for the old guys. We’re both happy we could give Spyder [Akright] and the Akright Auto team a nice solid night for both of us. Needless to say, there were lots of smiles around the pit area after the race. When you had a good week and you’re looking forward to next week, it makes the work week go faster too.”

The next race for Alex Pokorski at the Akright Auto Racing Team is this Saturday, Aug. 19 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis., which will also feature the PDTR Grand Nationals and B Mods, along with an appearance from the Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying set at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Petersen Septic Systems

Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are pleased to have Petersen Septic Systems on board as a returning sponsor for the 2023 racing season.

Since opening its doors in Valders, Wis. in 2012, Petersen Septic Systems LLC has provided premier septic tank service and the most reliable septic system installation and repair in Manitowoc and Two Rivers and the surrounding Lakeshore area.

“We offer our services to industrial, institutional, residential, new construction, commercial and municipal accounts,” Petersen Septic Systems Owner David Petersen said. “Customer service is our utmost priority. We do every job as it was in our own homes. Our experience is second to none in the area. Prior to opening the business, I worked for Tuschl Septic Systems from 2004 until owner Chuck Tuschl retired.”

The list of regular services Petersen Septic Systems offers includes septic pump repairs, test drilling/test boring, sewage treatment systems, septic tank removal, septic tank installation, water line repair, oil testing and perc testing.

“We provide all of these services in Manitowoc County and the surrounding areas,” Petersen said. “We are OSHA certified and are licensed MPRS/CST966051.”

Petersen Septic Systems is located at 7334 Nagel Road in Valders, Wis. For more information, call 920-323-2640, email petersenseptic@gmail.com or visit www.petersensepticsystems.com.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Akright Auto

Located at 106 North Bluebird Lane in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Akright Auto has served as a reliable source for auto parts since 1940.

In addition, Akright Auto provides full auto salvage services, along with a 90-day standard warranty on all parts purchases.

Contact Akright Auto by phone at 920-467-4201, toll free at 800-400-4201, via email at dakright12@gmail.com or visit www.akrightauto.com.

For more information on Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pokorskimotorsports or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Alex Pokorski – Akright Auto Racing Team
2023 Remaining Schedule

Saturday, Aug. 19 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Friday, Aug. 25 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 26 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.
Friday, Sept. 1 – Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, Beaver Dam, Wis.
Saturday, Sept. 2 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Sept. 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 18
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 9
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 17
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 18
Heat Race Victories – 2
Fast Qualifier Awards – 1

Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 6
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 2
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 3
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0

August 15, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Anvelink bags Super Six Late Model Series finale, Mueller claims fifth PDTR Late Model title

McMullen, Scholten, Steenbergen rack up PDTR main events wins

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

Nick Anvelink of Bonduel collected his first career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model A-main victory in the 30-lap 2023 Super Six Late Model Series finale at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 12. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 12, 2023 – For all of his success at tracks throughout the state of Wisconsin, five-time Dirt Kings Late Model tour champion Nick Anvelink of Bonduel had not previously captured a Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model main event victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. until besting a strong field of 25 competitors to claim a $2,000 payday in the 30-lap 106.5 The Buzz Super Six Late Model Series A-main on Saturday, Aug. 12.

At the conclusion of the final event of the 2023 Super Six Late Model Series, Brad Mueller of Random Lake collected his fifth career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model championship after recording one victory and top-five finishes in each of the five completed A main events.

In the 25-lap Akright Auto PDTR-Midwest Sprint Car Association A main, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh tallied his third A-main victory of the 2023 PDTR campaign to retain his points lead heading into the final four nights of the season.

Defending PDTR Grand National champion Luke Scholten of Oostburg picked up his first 25-lap Oostburg Automotive main event win of the 2023 season.

Jeff Steenbergen of Johnson Creek notched his first 2023 Next Step Insurance 25-lap B Mod A-main victory in the car normally driven by two-time PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Malone.

Five-time PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 30-lap Super Six Late Model Series A main from the pole position with third starter Nick Anvelink following in second.

On lap 3, Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha used the low line to work his way into third from the fifth starting position. By lap 5, Schmidt had built up a full straightaway lead over Anvelink before the leaders caught lap traffic three laps later.

With the leaders utilizing the preferred high groove of the well-manicured, multi-groove third-mile clay oval, Anvelink closed to within striking distance of Schmidt on lap 11. As Anvelink began to apply heavy pressure for the lead in dense lapped traffic, Schmidt’s car began to display heavy smoke on lap 14, which prompted him to pull his ailing machine into the infield.

Anvelink, who is the all-time career Shawano Speedway Late Model A-main victory leader, then inherited the lead with Scheffler trailing in second and 2014 PDTR Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha, who started sixth, following in third. The lone caption flag of the race was displayed on lap 15 for Schmidt’s smoking car in the infield, which necessitated assistance from the track’s fire crew.

When the race resumed, McGrath powered his way past Scheffler into second with a high move exiting turn four on lap 16. Anvelink continued to work the cushion to perfection over the second half of the race as McGrath gave chase in his tire tracks.

With two-wide lapped traffic to work through in the closing laps, Anvelink adjusted his line to move down to the bottom groove on several occasions, which proved successful in extending his lead over McGrath.

Brad Mueller of Random Lake earned his fifth career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model championship, after placing fourth in the 30-lap 2023 Super Six Late Model Series finale at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 12. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Anvelink went on to notch his first career PDTR Late Model A-main victory and claim the $2,000 first-place prize in the final race of the 2023 PDTR Super Six Late Model Series.

“The track was really top dominant, so I stayed up there most of the race because it was so good,” Anvelink said. “Then I got boxed in behind lapped traffic late in the race and didn’t want to get slid, so I pulled down to the bottom for a few laps and it actually worked well for me. We had a good car. I’m happy. That’s for sure.”

McGrath had to settle for second, Scheffler placed third, Brad Mueller of Random Lake captured the 2023 Super Six Late Model Series title and his fifth overall PDTR Late Model championship by a two-point margin over Taylor Scheffler with a fourth place finish, after starting 10^th and Mike Mullen of Seymour worked his way up from the 11^th starting spot to place fifth.

In the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main, 2014 MSA Masters Series and three-time Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified champ Paul Pokorski of West Bend took the lead in turn one of the opening lap from the pole behind the wheel of Spyder Akright’s 53A car.

On lap 2, Paul’s son, Alex Pokorski of West Bend, maneuvered his way into second in turn one from the third starting position. Two laps later, Brandon McMullen worked the high groove from his fifth starting spot to assume second from Alex Pokorski in turn two.

McMullen then swept past Paul Pokorski into the lead in turn one on lap six before quickly building up a full straightaway cushion over the rest of the field. On lap 10, 2011 PDTR and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Plymouth moved into third from his sixth starting spot before taking over second along the high groove in turn three on lap 12.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh maintained his points lead by earning his division-leading 30th career PDTR-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 12. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

The first of two caution flags was displayed on lap 15 when Justin Erickson of Plymouth spun in turn four. After the restart, outside front row starter T.J. Smith of Greenville and Alex Pokorski exchanged slide jobs before Alex Pokorski maintained fourth place in the running order.

Meanwhile, McMullen had built up a half-straightaway lead over Schmidt at the head of the pack. The leaders caught the rear of the field on lap 20 just before the second and final caution flag came out on lap 21 when T.J. Haddy of Waupun spun in turn two.

With five laps remaining in the race, a single-file restart was incorporated as McMullen used a strong restart to bolt away from Schmidt in the closing laps en route to his third PDTR 360 Sprint A-main victory and fourth MSA 360 Sprint main event win of the 2023 season. It was also the four-time MSA 360 Sprint Car champion’s all-time division leading 30^th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph and 42^nd overall MSA 360 Sprint A-main win to move into sole possession of third place on the all-time MSA victory list.

Schmidt placed second, Paul Pokorski finished third in just his sixth event of the 2023 season, Alex Pokorski was fourth and T.J. Smith rounded out the top five.

Second starter Luke Scholten outpowered polesitter Nick Schumacher of Eagle to assume the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National main event with Schumacher following in second.

On lap 2, third starter Justin Pearson of Horicon moved his way into second before the lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 3 when Dustin Weiss of Iron Ridge stopped along the front stretch, after losing a left front tire in turn four.

Following the restart, Pearson bolted in to pressure Scholten for the lead on lap 11. As the leader weaved their way through lapped traffic, Pearson continued to hound Scholten for the top spot.

Finally, on lap 21, Pearson used the outside groove to swing past Scholten into the lead. Two laps later, Scholten battled back to challenge Pearson for the top spot. However, one lap later Pearson slowed and pulled his car into the infield exiting turn four on lap 24, as the white flag was just about to be displayed to the field.

Defending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National champion Luke Scholten of Oostburg racked up his 18th career 25-lap PDTR Grand National A-main triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 12. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

With Pearson out of the race, Scholten regained the lead and held on through a green-white-checkered flag finish to secure his first PDTR Grand National A-main victory of the 2023 season and 18^th career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph to move him six wins behind overall division victories leader Brad Lubach.

Fourth starter Will Sorce of Franklin placed second, 2019 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth placed third after starting fifth, Seth Westimayer of Horicon finished fourth after starting fourth and six-time Plymouth Dirt Track Super Stock and Grand National champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth finished fifth after starting seventh.

Brandon Knepprath of Kewaskum led the opening lap of the 25-lap B Mod A main from the pole with third starter Mark Hoeppner of Rubicon sliding into second on the opening lap.

On lap 2, Hoeppner began to close in on Knepprath before the first of two caution flags appeared on lap 3 when Joey Krentz of Denmark spun in turn four.

On the restart, Jeff Steenbergen steered the 03W car normally driven by Tim Warner into third in turn four from the sixth starting spot. Steenbergen advanced to second on lap 5 before powering his way into the lead with a high move in turn two on lap 6.

Jeff Steenbergen of Johnson Creek collected his fifth career 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod A-main victory behind the wheel of Tim Warner’s 03W car at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 12. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Two laps later, the second and final caution flag appeared when Michael Strean of Sheboygan stalled his car near the frontstretch infield off of turn four.

Steenbergen powered out to a sizeable advantage over Hoeppner on the restart as fourth starter Barry Maas of Cascade moved into third on lap 11. Steenbergen cruised the rest of the way en route to his first PDTR B Mod A-main victory of the 2023 campaign and fifth career PDTR B Mod main event win. It was also the fifth time Tim Warner’s 03W car had parked in victory lane in PDTR B Mod A-main competition this season.

Hoeppner finished second, Maas placed third, Knepprath wound up fourth and ninth starter Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls wound up fifth.

Taylor Scheffler was the top qualifier in the 106.5 The Buzz Super Six Late Model Series and set a new Plymouth Dirt Track Late Model track record in the process with a lap of 13.605 seconds.

Ben Schmidt registered the fast qualifier award in the Akright PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a top lap of 12.566 seconds.

Tom Naeyaert of Shawano collected the victory in the 12-lap Super Six Late Model Series B Main.

Bill Taylor of Boltonville posted a victory in the 12-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

Extra money was donated to the top 12 finishes in the Grand National and B Mod A-main fields courtesy of Tom Ott and the family of Dave Deicher.

The 13^th event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by JDL Automotive and Detailing, drew a total of 80 cars, including 25 Super Six Series Late Models 24 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 16 Grand Nationals, 15 B Mods.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, Aug. 19 will feature the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals, B Mods and the third and final appearance of the 2023 season from the Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

106.5 THE BUZZ SUPER SIX LATE MODEL SERIES

A Main (30 Laps): 1. 15-Nick Anvelink [3]; 2. 74-Mitch McGrath [6]; 3. 10S-Taylor Scheffler [5]; 4. 89-Brad Mueller [10]; 5. 99M-Mike Mullen [11]; 6. 24S-Jayden Schmidt [15]; 7. 9Z-Jayme Zidar [4]; 8. 77-Bill Edler [8]; 9. 8R-Bill Rezutek [2]; 10. 70-Justin Ritchie [13]; 11. 19J-Justin Green [16]; 12. 10-Paul Parker [9]; 13. 9N-Tom Naeyaert [17]; 14. 33E-Chris Engels [7]; 15. 24-Turk Letizia [21]; 16. 99-Sawyer Specht [14]; 17. 57M-Eric Michaels [19]; 18. 22-Charlie Schmidt [18]; 19. 54-Kevin Baldry [12]; 20. 97-Justin Schmidt [1]; 21. (DNS) 44-Wayne Freimund

B Main (12 Laps): 1. 9N-Tom Naeyaert [1]; 2. 22-Charlie Schmidt [8]; 3. 57M-Eric Michaels [2]; 4. 44-Wayne Freimund [5]; 5. 24-Turk Letizia [7]; 6. 21-Bobby Gash [3]; 7. 55B-Joe Bongiorno [4]; 8. (DNF) 5X-Chad Ludwigson [6]; 9. (DNS) 95W-Aaron Wickersheim

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 8R-Bill Rezutek [2]; 2. 97-Justin Schmidt [6]; 3. 54-Kevin Baldry [1]; 4. 70-Justin Ritchie [3]; 5. 99-Sawyer Specht [5]; 6. 21-Bobby Gash [4]; 7. 57M-Eric Michaels [7]; 8. 5X-Chad Ludwigson [8]; 9. (DNS) 95W-Aaron Wickersheim

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 9Z-Jayme Zidar [1]; 2. 74-Mitch McGrath [2]; 3. 77-Bill Edler [3]; 4. 33E-Chris Engels [6]; 5. 24S-Jayden Schmidt [5]; 6. 19J-Justin Green [7]; 7. 22-Charlie Schmidt [4]; 8. 24-Turk Letizia [8]

Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 15-Nick Anvelink [1]; 2. 10S-Taylor Scheffler [3]; 3. 89-Brad Mueller [2]; 4. 99M-Mike Mullen [4]; 5. 10-Paul Parker [7]; 6. 9N-Tom Naeyaert [5]; 7. 55B-Joe Bongiorno [6]; 8. 44-Wayne Freimund [8]

Qualifying 1: 1. 70-Justin Ritchie, 14.116 [9]; 2. 8R-Bill Rezutek, 14.330 [5]; 3. 54-Kevin Baldry, 14.533 [7]; 4. 21-Bobby Gash, 15.022 [8]; 5. 99-Sawyer Specht, 15.149 [4]; 6. 97-Justin Schmidt, 15.390 [2]; 7. 57M-Eric Michaels, 16.225 [1]; 8. 5X-Chad Ludwigson, 17.231 [3]; 9. (DNF) 95W-Aaron Wickersheim, 17.231 [6]

Qualifying 2: 1. 24-Turk Letizia, 13.836 [6]; 2. 74-Mitch McGrath, 13.868 [3]; 3. 9Z-Jayme Zidar, 13.948 [7]; 4. 77-Bill Edler, 14.031 [8]; 5. 22-Charlie Schmidt, 14.085 [4]; 6. 24S-Jayden Schmidt, 14.518 [5]; 7. 33E-Chris Engels, 14.579 [2]; 8. 19J-Justin Green, 14.985 [1]

Qualifying 3: 1. 10S-Taylor Scheffler, 13.605 [5]; 2. 89-Brad Mueller, 13.742 [7]; 3. 15-Nick Anvelink, 13.855 [4]; 4. 99M-Mike Mullen, 13.876 [2]; 5. 9N-Tom Naeyaert, 14.120 [3]; 6. 55B-Joe Bongiorno, 14.180 [8]; 7. 10-Paul Parker, 14.273 [6]; 8. 44-Wayne Freimund, 14.902 [1]

AKRIGHT AUTO PLYMOUTH DIRT TRACK RACING 360 SPRINT CARS

A Main (25 Laps): 1. 98-Brandon McMullen [5]; 2. 35-Ben Schmidt [6]; 3. 53A-Paul Pokorski [1]; 4. 4-Alex Pokorski [3]; 5. 69S-TJ Smith [2]; 6. 22B-Brandon Berth [7]; 7. 63K-Kevin Karnitz [9]; 8. 2-Chris Clayton [12]; 9. 7-Lance Fassbender [8]; 10. 85J-Logan Julien [14]; 11. 30-Doug Wondra [10]; 12. 66-Nick Daywalt [11]; 13. 66T-Tristan Koenings [15]; 14. 3-Justin Erickson [13]; 15. 51-Chris Larson [18]; 16. 11-Tony Wondra [21]; 17. 24-Scott Conger [17]; 18. 69-Bill Taylor [16]; 19. 54-Randy Post [19]; 20. 7L-Ellie Hensley [20]; 21. 21H-TJ Haddy [4]; 22. 38-Ben Doak [22]; 23. (DNS) 08-Katelyn Krebsbach

B Main: 1. 69-Bill Taylor [1]; 2. 24-Scott Conger [4]; 3. 51-Chris Larson [3]; 4. 54-Randy Post [2]; 5. 7L-Ellie Hensley [8]; 6. 11-Tony Wondra [6]; 7. 38-Ben Doak [7]; 8. (DNF) 88-Chris Flick [5]

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 98-Brandon McMullen [3]; 2. 63K-Kevin Karnitz [1]; 3. 22B-Brandon Berth [4]; 4. 66T-Tristan Koenings [2]; 5. 66-Nick Daywalt [5]; 6. 2-Chris Clayton [7]; 7. 24-Scott Conger [6]; 8. 88-Chris Flick [8]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 35-Ben Schmidt [4]; 2. 4-Alex Pokorski [3]; 3. 53A-Paul Pokorski [5]; 4. 85J-Logan Julien [2]; 5. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach [6]; 6. 11-Tony Wondra [1]; 7. 54-Randy Post [7]; 8. 38-Ben Doak [8]

Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 21H-TJ Haddy [1]; 2. 69S-TJ Smith [3]; 3. 7-Lance Fassbender [4]; 4. 3-Justin Erickson [2]; 5. 30-Doug Wondra [5]; 6. 69-Bill Taylor [7]; 7. 51-Chris Larson [6]; 8. 7L-Ellie Hensley [8]

Qualifying 1: 1. 22B-Brandon Berth, 12.753 [2]; 2. 98-Brandon McMullen, 12.768 [5]; 3. 66T-Tristan Koenings, 12.823 [4]; 4. 63K-Kevin Karnitz, 12.854 [8]; 5. 66-Nick Daywalt, 12.908 [7]; 6. 24-Scott Conger, 13.129 [6]; 7. 2-Chris Clayton, 13.172 [1]; 8. 88-Chris Flick, 13.410 [3]

Qualifying 2: 1. 35-Ben Schmidt, 12.566 [6]; 2. 4-Alex Pokorski, 12.808 [5]; 3. 85J-Logan Julien, 12.811 [3]; 4. 11-Tony Wondra, 12.986 [1]; 5. 53A-Paul Pokorski, 13.109 [7]; 6. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach, 13.158 [4]; 7. 54-Randy Post, 13.192 [2]; 8. 38-Ben Doak, 15.270 [8]

Qualifying 3: 1. 7-Lance Fassbender, 12.899 [5]; 2. 69S-TJ Smith, 12.996 [7]; 3. 3-Justin Erickson, 13.031 [1]; 4. 21H-TJ Haddy, 13.112 [2]; 5. 30-Doug Wondra, 13.223 [3]; 6. 51-Chris Larson, 13.281 [4]; 7. 69-Bill Taylor, 13.358 [6]; 8. 7L-Ellie Hensley, 13.652 [8]

OOSTBURG AUTOMOTIVE GRAND NATIONALS

A Main: 1. 80-Luke Scholten [2]; 2. 14X-Will Sorce [8]; 3. 24K-Tyler Kulow [5]; 4. 14-Seth Westimayer [4]; 5. 89-Brian Gilles [7]; 6. 47-Nick Schumacher [1]; 7. 95-Donny Kulow [9]; 8. 5R-Nate Ruh [13]; 9. 87-Eric Lingford [14]; 10. 34-Steven Weber [6]; 11. 6-Dick Hed [15]; 12. 6B-Vince Bartolotta [16]; 13. 42S-Jackson Specht [12]; 14. E85-Justin Pearson [3]; 15. 23-Matt Loehr [11]; 16. 53W-Dustin Weiss [10]

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 34-Steven Weber [1]; 2. 14-Seth Westimayer [3]; 3. 89-Brian Gilles [8]; 4. 80-Luke Scholten [6]; 5. 23-Matt Loehr [2]; 6. 5R-Nate Ruh [4]; 7. 42S-Jackson Specht [7]; 8. 6B-Vince Bartolotta [5]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 14X-Will Sorce [5]; 2. E85-Justin Pearson [1]; 3. 24K-Tyler Kulow [6]; 4. 47-Nick Schumacher [2]; 5. 53W-Dustin Weiss [4]; 6. 95-Donny Kulow [7]; 7. 6-Dick Hed [3]; 8. 87-Eric Lingford [8]

NEXT STEP INSURANCE B MODS

A Main (25 Laps): 1. 03W-Jeff Steenbergen [6]; 2. 84-Mark Hoeppner [3]; 3. 22M-Barry Maas [4]; 4. 17-Brandon Knepprath [1]; 5. 17S-Shane Long [9]; 6. 66-Steve Lorier [5]; 7. 73-Rory Welch [7]; 8. 26-David Paskiewicz [8]; 9. 59S-Spencer Long [11]; 10. 19-Parker Glander [13]; 11. 117-Tom Barnharst [12]; 12. 54-Michael Strean [15]; 13. 3-Travis Schmidt [10]; 14. 26JK-Joey Krentz [14]; 15. 25-Jim Fischer [2]

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 17S-Shane Long [2]; 2. 3-Travis Schmidt [5]; 3. 03W-Jeff Steenbergen [6]; 4. 84-Mark Hoeppner [3]; 5. 17-Brandon Knepprath [4]; 6. 25-Jim Fischer [8]; 7. 19-Parker Glander [1]; 8. (DNF) 26JK-Joey Krentz [7]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 73-Rory Welch [1]; 2. 66-Steve Lorier [2]; 3. 26-David Paskiewicz [6]; 4. 22M-Barry Maas [5]; 5. 59S-Spencer Long [3]; 6. 117-Tom Barnharst [4]; 7. (DNS) 54-Michael Strean

August 13, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Pokorski advances 10 spots in PDTR 360 Sprint Car top-10 charge

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

Alex Pokorski advanced from the 17th starting spot to earn a seventh place showing in the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 5. – RC Custom Design photo

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 8, 2023 – After an enduring a slow start to the night, Alex Pokorski turned it up when it mattered most to move up 10 positions and record his 16^th top-10 showing in 17 2023 Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main events, during Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-MSA 360 Sprint Car action at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 5.

With 24 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars signed in, a transponder issue relegated Pokorski to the eighth and final position in the second group qualifying session.

After starting eighth in the second 10-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race, the fourth-year 360 Sprint Car competitor worked his way around T.J. Haddy to assume seventh place in turn two on lap one. Pokorski held the position the rest of the way on the fast and narrow track surface en route to a seventh place showing.

The West Bend, Wis. driver rolled off 17^th in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car main event before utilizing the high groove to advance to 13^th on lap 6. By the halfway point, Pokorski had worked his way into 10^th.

On lap 14, Pokorski maneuvered around Katelyn Kresbach to move into ninth before slipping past Doug Wondra on lap 22 to take over eighth. A caution flag on lap 24 bunched the field for a single-file green-white-checkered flag finish, which allowed Pokorski to power around Hayden Johnson to assume seventh on the final lap.

Pokorski went on to place seventh to secure his 16^th top-10 A-main finish of the 2023 MSA campaign in a race won by Ben Schmidt.

“We didn’t record a qualifying time, so we started at the back of the heat race,” Pokorski said. “It was tough to pass on the narrow track in the heat race. The feature track was actually very nice, and it widened out well. I enjoyed racing through the pack to salvage a decent night in the A main.”

The next race for Alex Pokorski at the Akright Auto Racing Team is this Saturday, Aug. 12 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis., which will also feature the Super Six Late Model Series, PDTR Grand Nationals and B Mods.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying set at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Petersen Septic Systems

Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are pleased to have Petersen Septic Systems on board as a returning sponsor for the 2023 racing season.

“We provide all of these services in Manitowoc County and the surrounding areas,” Petersen said. “We are OSHA certified and are licensed MPRS/CST966051.”

Petersen Septic Systems is located at 7334 Nagel Road in Valders, Wis. For more information, call 920-323-2640, email petersenseptic@gmail.com or visit www.petersensepticsystems.com.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Akright Auto

Located at 106 North Bluebird Lane in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Akright Auto has served as a reliable source for auto parts since 1940.

In addition, Akright Auto provides full auto salvage services, along with a 90-day standard warranty on all parts purchases.

Contact Akright Auto by phone at 920-467-4201, toll free at 800-400-4201, via email at dakright12@gmail.com or visit www.akrightauto.com.

For more information on Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pokorskimotorsports or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Alex Pokorski – Akright Auto Racing Team
2023 Upcoming Schedule

Saturday, Aug. 12 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 19 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Friday, Aug. 25 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 26 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 17
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 8
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 16
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 17
Heat Race Victories – 2
Fast Qualifier Awards – 1

Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 5
Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0

August 8, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Schmidt cashes in 2023 PDTR 360 Sprint Car victory No. 7

Pearson, Warner, Heinert claim PDTR A-main wins

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

2011 Plymouth DIrt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt racked up his seventh 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2023 season Saturday, Aug. 5 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 5, 2023 – Twelve years after collecting his first Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car championship, Ben Schmidt of Plymouth continued his quest for a second division crown by racking up his seventh Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2023 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 5.

Justin Pearson of Horicon tallied his second 25-lap Oostburg Auto Grand National A-main triumph of the 2023 campaign.

In the 25-lap Next Step Insurance B Mod main event, Malone’s Tim Warner earned his fourth A-main victory of the 2023 PDTR season.

Mark Heinert of Oak Creek notched his second IRA Lightning Sprints A-main triumph of the 2023 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season and sixth overall 2023 A-main victory by topping the 20-lap 106.5 The Buzz guest division main event.

Outside front row starter Brandon Berth of Cascade outpowered rookie polesitter Hayden Johnson of Campbellsport to grab the lead in turn one of the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main, while sixth starter Ben Schmidt used the extreme outside groove to vault into third in turn two.

On lap 2, T.J. Smith of Greenville spun in turn two to bring out the first of two caution flags. On the restart, Schmidt wasted no time as he blasted his way around Berth in turn two on lap 3 to take over the top spot.

Schmidt built up a solid cushion at the head of the field over the next four laps before catching up to the back of the pack on lap 8, which allowed Berth to reduce the lead gap.

On lap 12, Berth closed to within striking distance of Schmidt, as the leaders weaved their way through thick lapped traffic on the well-manicured, multi-groove track surface. Berth continued to hound Schmidt over the next 12 circuits until the second and final caution flag was displayed on 24 when Chris Flick of Beaver Dam spun to a stop near the turn four wall.

Following a single-file green-white-checkered flag restart, Schmidt bolted away from Berth and the rest of the pack en route to his 22^nd career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, 41^st career MSA 360 Sprint Car triumph, seventh A-main win of the 2023 PDTR 360 Sprint Car season and ninth over MSA main event win of his stellar 2023 campaign.

The win moved Schmidt, who captured the 2011 MSA 360 Sprint Car title, into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory list and into a tie for third on the all-time MSA 360 Sprint A-main win list with four-time MSA champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh.

“Hats off to the track prep crew tonight for giving us a great track to race on,” Schmidt said. “The track was fast and smooth and there was a nice cushion to run tonight.”

Berth wound up second, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen charged up from the 14^th starting spot to finish third, rookie Logan Julien of Oconomowoc placed fourth after starting seventh and fifth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend rounded out the top five.

Outside front row starter Chad Espen of West Bend jumped into the lead in the first turn of the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR Grand National A main. On lap 2, fourth starter Justin Pearson moved up to take over the second spot in turn two.

Justin Pearson of Horicon secured his second 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National main event triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 5. – RC Custom Design photo

One lap later, Pearson used a high move to power his way into the lead along the back stretch. On lap 4, third starter Will Sorce of Franklin engaged in a duel with Espen for second before taking over the runner-up spot in turn two on lap five.

As Pearson controlled the lead, Brian Gilles of Plymouth, a six-time Plymouth track champion in the Super Stock and Grand National divisions, moved up from his sixth starting position to work past Espen to secure third on lap 10.

Sorce caught Pearson on lap 13 and the two ran nose to tail along primarily the high line and middle groove of the third-mile clay oval during the second half of the race. The leaders caught lapped traffic on lap 20, which allowed Sorce to duck under Pearson on a couple of occasions.

However, Pearson was up to the challenge as he held off Sorce over the final five laps en route to his second career PDTR Grand National A-main victory in the caution-free race.

Sorce placed second, Gilles finished third, 2022 PDTR Grand National champ Luke Scholten of Oostburg wound up fourth after starting eighth and Espen rounded out the top five.

Steve Lorier of Sheboygan, who started second, bolted into the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap B Mod A main with fourth starter Barry Maas of Cascade taking second.

On the second go around, Tim Warner maneuvered up from the sixth starting spot to take third. One lap later, Maas moved in to challenge the high-riding Lorier for the lead along the low groove.

Tim Warner of Malone notched his fourth 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod A-main win of the 2023 campaign at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 5. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Over the next four laps, Lorier, Maas and Warner engaged in a heated duel for the top spot before the red flag appeared when the car of Hunter Larson of Oostburg flipped on its side during a three-car incident, which also involved Mark Hoeppner of Rubicon and Jonathan Hitsman of Newton.

On the restart, Warner used the low groove to take over second from Maas on lap 8. Warner challenged Lorier repeatedly for the top spot by working the high and low grooves during the next 11 laps before finally taking over the lead with a low move in turn two on lap 19 with Maas following in second.

Warner built up a huge lead over the final six laps en route to his division-leading 11^th career PDTR B Mod A-main triumph and fourth PDTR B Mod main event victory of the 2023 campaign.

Polesitter Ron Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill. moved into the lead in turn one of the opening lap of the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints main event with outside front row starter Max Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill., who started second, taking second.

On lap 3, Mark Heinert, who started third, used a high move to assume second from Max Brannam. After moving in to challenge for the lead on lap 4, Heinert swept his way into the top spot exiting turn four on lap 5.

Once out front, Heinert switched his pace into overdrive, as he built up a solid cushion before the lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 19 when the second place car of Ron Brannam got tangled up with Jordan Funderburk of Wadsworth, Ill. in turn two.

Following a single-file restart green-white-checkered flag restart, Heinert continued to lead, while the second place car of Max Brannam spun in turn four on the final lap.

In a special appearance from the IRA LIghtning Sprints, Mark Heinert of Oak Creek earned his sixth overall A-main victory of the 2023 season in the 20-lap main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 5. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

Heinert, who won the IRA Lightning Sprints A-main at Plymouth on July 1, went on to notch his second IRA Lightning Sprints main event victory of The Plymouth Dirt Track 2023 campaign and sixth overall 2023 IRA Lightning Sprints A-main triumph.

Third starter Brian Strane Jr. of Paris took second, Derek Fortier of Franksville placed third after starting sixth, Jacob Irwin of Genoa City finished fourth after starting eighth and 13^th starter John Kirk of Johnsburg, Ill. was fifth.

Justin Erickson of Plymouth turned in the fast qualifier award in the Akright PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a top lap of 12.674 seconds.

Mark Heinert was the top qualifier in the 106.5 The Buzz IRA Lightning Sprints division with a lap of 13.440 seconds.

The 12^th event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Racers Hall, drew a total of 68 cars, including 24 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 15 Grand Nationals, 14 B Mods and 15 IRA Lightning Sprints.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, Aug. 12 will feature the sixth and final event of the 2023 Super Six Late Model Series, along with the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods.

The Super Six Late Model Series A main will pay $2,000 to win and $200 to start. In addition, extra money will be added to the PDTR Grand National and B Mod purses courtesy of Judy Deicher and an anonymous donor.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

AKRIGHT AUTO PLYMOUTH DIRT TRACK RACING 360 SPRINT CARS

A Main (25 Laps): 1. 35-Ben Schmidt [6]; 2. 22B-Brandon Berth [2]; 3. 98-Brandon McMullen [14]; 4. 85J-Logan Julien [7]; 5. 63K-Kevin Karnitz [5]; 6. 7-Lance Fassbender [3]; 7. 4-Alex Pokorski [17]; 8. 44-Hayden Johnson [1]; 9. 69-Bill Taylor [4]; 10. 30-Doug Wondra [9]; 11. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach [16]; 12. 66-Nick Daywalt [12]; 13. 11-Tony Wondra [18]; 14. 51-Chris Larson [13]; 15. 66T-Tristan Koenings [19]; 16. 69S-TJ Smith [8]; 17. 12P-JJ Pagel [10]; 18. 54-Randy Post [15]; 19. 21H-TJ Haddy [21]; 20. 88-Chris Flick [11]; 21. 53A-Spyder Akright [20]; 22. 92-Kevin Seidler [22]; 23. (DNS) 53-Shane Wenninger; 24. (DNS) 3-Justin Erickson

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 35-Ben Schmidt [2]; 2. 22B-Brandon Berth [3]; 3. 12P-JJ Pagel [1]; 4. 30-Doug Wondra [4]; 5. 66-Nick Daywalt [6]; 6. 66T-Tristan Koenings [5]; 7. 53A-Spyder Akright [7]; 8. (DNF) 92-Kevin Seidler [8]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 63K-Kevin Karnitz [1]; 2. 85J-Logan Julien [2]; 3. 69S-TJ Smith [4]; 4. 98-Brandon McMullen [3]; 5. 51-Chris Larson [6]; 6. 11-Tony Wondra [5]; 7. 4-Alex Pokorski [8]; 8. 21H-TJ Haddy [7]

Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 69-Bill Taylor [1]; 2. 7-Lance Fassbender [3]; 3. 44-Hayden Johnson [5]; 4. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach [2]; 5. 88-Chris Flick [6]; 6. 54-Randy Post [7]; 7. (DNF) 53-Shane Wenninger [4]; 8. (DNS) 3-Justin Erickson

Qualifying 1: 1. 22B-Brandon Berth, 13.394 [4]; 2. 35-Ben Schmidt, 13.429 [5]; 3. 53A-Spyder Akright, 13.937 [8]; 4. 12P-JJ Pagel, 14.043 [2]; 5. 30-Doug Wondra, 14.189 [7]; 6. 66T-Tristan Koenings, 14.224 [6]; 7. 66-Nick Daywalt, 14.605 [3]; 8. 92-Kevin Seidler, 14.863 [1]

Qualifying 2: 1. 69S-TJ Smith, 12.794 [8]; 2. 98-Brandon McMullen, 12.927 [7]; 3. 85J-Logan Julien, 13.093 [3]; 4. 63K-Kevin Karnitz, 13.105 [4]; 5. 11-Tony Wondra, 13.201 [2]; 6. 51-Chris Larson, 13.215 [6]; 7. 21H-TJ Haddy, 13.294 [1]; 8. 4-Alex Pokorski, 13.294 [5]

Qualifying 3: 1. 3-Justin Erickson, 12.674 [1]; 2. 7-Lance Fassbender, 12.743 [3]; 3. 08-Katelyn Krebsbach, 12.866 [8]; 4. 69-Bill Taylor, 12.893 [4]; 5. 53-Shane Wenninger, 12.988 [5]; 6. 44-Hayden Johnson, 13.000 [7]; 7. 88-Chris Flick, 13.400 [2]; 8. 54-Randy Post, 13.519 [6]

OOSTBURG AUTOMOTIVE GRAND NATIONALS

A Main: 1. E85-Justin Pearson [4]; 2. 14X-Will Sorce [3]; 3. 89-Brian Gilles [6]; 4. 80-Luke Scholten [8]; 5. 72E-Chad Espen [2]; 6. 24K-Tyler Kulow [5]; 7. 95-Donny Kulow [10]; 8. 53W-Dustin Weiss [7]; 9. 54-Matt Yancey [1]; 10. 34-Steven Weber [15]; 11. 23-Matt Loehr [13]; 12. 5R-Nate Ruh [11]; 13. 15-Derek Kaat [14]; 14. 6B-Vince Bartolotta [9]; 15. 6-Dick Hed [12]

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 24K-Tyler Kulow [2]; 2. 54-Matt Yancey [1]; 3. 72E-Chad Espen [5]; 4. 80-Luke Scholten [3]; 5. 53W-Dustin Weiss [8]; 6. 23-Matt Loehr [4]; 7. 6-Dick Hed [7]; 8. 34-Steven Weber [6]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 89-Brian Gilles [3]; 2. 14X-Will Sorce [4]; 3. E85-Justin Pearson [7]; 4. 6B-Vince Bartolotta [1]; 5. 5R-Nate Ruh [2]; 6. 95-Donny Kulow [5]; 7. 15-Derek Kaat [6]

NEXT STEP INSURANCE B MODS

A Main (25 Laps): 1. 03W-Tim Warner [6]; 2. 22M-Barry Maas [4]; 3. 3-Travis Schmidt [8]; 4. 66-Steve Lorier [2]; 5. 17S-Shane Long [7]; 6. 73-Rory Welch [11]; 7. 17-Brandon Knepprath [1]; 8. 84-Mark Hoeppner [3]; 9. 59S-Spencer Long [9]; 10. 19-Parker Glander [13]; 11. 117-Tom Barnharst [14]; 12. 117H-Jonathon Hitsman [5]; 13. 25-Jim Fischer [12]; 14. 9L-Hunter Larson [10]

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 03W-Timothy Warner [4]; 2. 66-Steve Lorier [2]; 3. 84-Mark Hoeppner [6]; 4. 17S-Shane Long [3]; 5. 59S-Spencer Long [5]; 6. 73-Rory Welch [1]; 7. 117-Tom Barnharst [7]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 117H-Jonathan Hitsman [4]; 2. 22M-Barry Maas [6]; 3. 17-Brandon Knepprath [1]; 4. 3-Travis Schmidt [3]; 5. 9L-Hunter Larson [5]; 6. (DNF) 25-Jim Fischer [7]; 7. (DNF) 19-Parker Glander [2]

106.5 THE BUZZ IRA LIGHTNING SPRINTS

A Main (20 Laps): 1. 55H-Mark Heinert [4]; 2. 22S-Brian Strane Jr. [3]; 3. 11-Derek Fortier [6]; 4. 63-Jacob Irwin [8]; 5. 9-John Kirk [13]; 6. 6-Jeff Schmidt [5]; 7. 3-Ron Curasi [7]; 8. 55X-Xander York [11]; 9. 33-David Powers [10]; 10. 74M-Max Brannam [2]; 11. (DNF) 21T-Mitchell Reich [14]; 12. (DNF) 23-Dominick Swierad [15]; 13. (DNF) 01-Ron Brannam [1]; 14. (DNF) 17-Jordan Funderburk [12]; 15. (DNF) 74-Tim Brannam [9]

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 55H-Mark Heinert [4]; 2. 3-Ron Curasi [1]; 3. 74M-Max Brannam [3]; 4. 6-Jeff Schmidt [2]; 5. 74-Tim Brannam [5]; 6. 9-John Kirk [8]; 7. 21T-Mitchell Reich [7]; 8. 17-Jordan Funderburk [6]

Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 11-Derek Fortier [2]; 2. 63-Jacob Irwin [1]; 3. 22S-Brian Strane Jr. [4]; 4. 01-Ron Brannam [3]; 5. 33-David Powers [6]; 6. 55X-Xander York [5]; 7. 23-Dominick Swierad [7]

Qualifying: 1. 55H-Mark Heinert, 13.440 [2]; 2. 22S-Brian Strane Jr, 13.585 [9]; 3. 74M-Max Brannam, 13.592 [13]; 4. 01-Ron Brannam, 13.667[ 6]; 5. 6-Jeff Schmidt, 13.897 [4]; 6. 11-Derek Fortier, 13.997 [15]; 7. 3-Ron Curasi, 14.063 [5]; 8. 63-Jacob Irwin, 14.133 [11]; 9. 74-Tim Brannam, 14.206 [3]; 10. 55X-Xander York, 14.556 [8]; 11. 17-Jordan Funderburk, 14.803 [1]; 12. 33-David Powers, 14.923 [14]; 13. 21T-Mitchell Reich, 15.336 [12]; 14. 23-Dominick Swierad, 15.336 [10]; 15. 9-John Kirk, 15.336 [7]

August 6, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Hartmann completes challenging IRA doubleheader, looks forward to 2023 season stretch run

Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann competed in a pair of Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events last weekend, including the third annual Road America Challenge at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, July 28 and the Founder’s Night race at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, July 29. – Shawn Mueller Photography

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 2, 2023 – One week after turning in one of their most complete efforts of the 2023 season in weekly 410 Sprint Car action at Butler Motor Speedway in Quincy, Mich., Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team showcased plenty of speed, which did not translate to the results column, during a Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association doubleheader weekend featuring the third annual Road America Challenge at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, July 28 and the annual Founder’s Night racing program at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, July 29.

Hartmann opened the Road America Challenge event at The Plymouth Dirt Track by recording the 22^nd fastest qualifying lap in the 27-car field with a lap of 14.477 seconds on an exceedingly dry and dusty track surface.

The Plymouth, Wis. driver started the first eight-lap IRA heat race from the eighth position and moved up one spot to finish seventh to just miss out on a top-six A-main transfer spot.

The 2020 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association Rookie of the Year Award winner rolled off fourth in the 10-lap IRA B Main and finished fourth to advance to the 30-lap main event.

After extensive track work during intermission, the track proved to feature multiple grooves in the 30-lap IRA headliner, which saw Hartmann start from the 22^nd position.

Hartmann worked the high line through much of the race and was running around the 21^st spot when he made contact with the backstretch wall and flipped on the white flag lap of the race, which was won by Greg Wilson. Hartmann was scored with a 22^nd place showing.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team returned to action one night later at Wilmot Raceway for Founder’s Night. The event got off to a solid start for Hartmann, who registered the 15^th fastest overall qualifying lap in the 38-car field and seventh quickest lap among the 19 Group B qualifiers by touring the three-eighths mile semi-banked oval in 13.091 seconds.

After starting on the pole of the third IRA eight-lap heat race, Hartmann secured a fourth place finish to earn a spot in the 25-lap main event and a berth in the second IRA dash.

Hartmann started fourth in the second four-lap IRA dash and came home fifth to earn the 10^th starting position in the 25-lap main event. Hartmann was running in the 15^th position when a caution flag was displayed for a spin involving race leader Bill Balog on lap 22.

After another caution flag slowed the pace on lap 29 when Jordan Goldesberry spun in turn two, Hartmann crossed the finish line in 19^th place in a race won by Brenham Crouch.

With the IRA idle during the next two weekends to allow competitors to compete in and attend the Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa, the Austin Hartmann and 87A Hartmann Racing team will return to action with the Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Car Series for the annual Kenosha County Fair Night-Roger Illes Tribute Night racing program at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19.

One night later, the team will visit Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. with the IRA for the annual Corn Fest event Presented by Zimbrick Chevrolet.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4 p.m., followed by engine heat at 4:45 p.m., hot laps at 5 p.m. and opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.

Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.

The 2023 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Eric Bergschultz, Parker Annis, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham and Kristine Hartmann.

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Competition Specialists

Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team are thrilled to welcome Competition Specialists as a partner for the 2023 season.

Headquartered at 1342 Earl St. in Menasha, Wis., Competition Specialists has been a high-performance race engine builder, specializing in oval track engines, since 1982.

Under the leadership of Steve Blom and Jason Johnson, Competition Specialists aims to carry on the tradition of reliable and powerful racing engines. With Steve’s 40-plus years of engine-building knowledge and Jason’s family tradition of building race-winning engines with his Hall of Fame great grandpa and grandpa, this newly formed partnership forged in 2022 brings proven winning power.

Competition Specialists builds a wide range of race engines for Sprint Cars, Dirt Late Models, Asphalt Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Sportsman and road course cars. In addition, the team of engine builders at Competition Specialists can build marine engines (inboard, small block and big block), hot rod engines (Mopar, Ford and Chevrolet) and other V-8 engines by request.

Competition Specialists features a full-service machine shop where detail is the highest priority from drop off to ready-for-assembly, including the ability to mill heads, blocks and injections. The machine shop also includes lathes to turn cranks and cams. The top-of-the line equipment showcased throughout the shop can also balance cranks, rods and flywheels, while providing the ability to flow cylinder heads for maximum horsepower.

Precision and inspection rank as a top priority for every part that comes through the Competition Specialists machine shop doors. Through a thorough evaluation and examination process, Competition Specialists’ technical staff can find cracks invisible to the eye by closely magnifying every inch of every part.

Contact Competition Specialists by calling 920-725-9384, emailing sales@competitionspecialists.com, visiting www.competitionspecialists.com or checking out the Competition Specialists Facebook page.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Austin Hartmann – 87A Hartmann Racing
2023 Upcoming Schedule

Saturday, Aug. 19 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis. (IRA)
Sunday, Aug. 20 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis. (IRA)
Friday, Aug. 25 – 34 Raceway, West Burlington, Iowa (IRA-MOWA)
Saturday, Aug. 26 – Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway, Pevely, Mo. (IRA)

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 25
IRA Events – 19
World of Outlaws Events – 3
All Star Events – 4
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 6
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 9
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 17
Heat Race Victories – 2
Dash Appearances – 5
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0

August 2, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Hard-charging Arenz blasts to IRA top five finishes at Plymouth, Wilmot

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 2023 rookie Travis Arenz collected a pair of top-five A-main showings at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, July 28 and at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, July 29. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 2, 2023 – Despite being mired in middle-of-the-pack A-main starting positions, Travis Arenz proved to be undaunted during back-to-back Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events last weekend, improving a grand total of 16 spots en route to a pair of fifth place showings in the third annual Road America Challenge at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, July 28 and annual Founder’s Night event at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, July 29.

Returning to the familiar confines of The Plymouth Dirt Track where he has claimed three championships in two different divisions over the past 10 years on Friday, July 28, the Sheboygan Falls, Wis. driver opened the Road America Challenge night program by qualifying 18^th in the 27-car IRA field with a lap of 14.265 seconds in very dry and slick track conditions.

Arenz, who captured his first career IRA 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory in his last appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 1, lined up fourth in the third eight-lap IRA heat race before charging past Josh Schneiderman, Scotty Neitzel and Russel Borland to record a third place finish.

The 16^th-year competitor started the 30-lap A main 12^th and moved up steadily during the first half of the race to seize ninth from Dave Uttech on lap 12. Ten laps later, Arenz pulled off an impressive move to work his way past Jack Vanderboom and Jordan Goldesberry and advance into seventh on lap 22…

The lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 29 when Scotty Thiel spun in turn two. After restarting sixth, Arenz gained one more spot during the green-white-checkered flag finish to secure a fifth place showing in a race won by Greg Wilson.

“We actually had a good qualifying draw at Plymouth,” Arenz said. “But with the amount of rain we had received over a couple of days leading to the race, I was pretty surprised with the condition the track was in. We aren’t where we need to be for qualifying, so it’s something we are going to continue to work on. I was pretty happy to be able to finish fifth from the 12^th starting spot in the feature. I’ve been able to move forward in the heat races and feature events, so if we can figure out qualifying, it will be huge.”

On Saturday, July 29, Arenz and the members of the Travis Arenz Motorsports team headed south to the birthplace of the IRA – Wilmot Raceway – for the annual Founder’s Night program.

With a late qualifying draw, Arenz turned in the 31^st fastest qualifying time in the 38-car field with a lap of 13.450 seconds around the three-eighths mile semi-banked clay oval.

Arenz rebounded with a strong run in the third eight-lap IRA heat race to advance seven spots from the ninth starting position to finish second and secure a transfer spot to the 25-lap Founder’s Night A main.

The 2021 and 2022 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champion started 14^th in the main event and mounted a strong run up through the field to advance nine spots and claim a second straight fifth place A-main showing in a race won by Brenham Crouch.

Arenz’s 14^th-to-fifth A-main run netted him the race’s Hard Charger Award for moving up a race-best nine positions.

“At Wilmot, again we qualified horribly, which started us in the back of our heat race,” Arenz said. “I was able to go ninth to second, which was huge. One of my crew members likes to give me ‘motivation speeches’ and told me she doesn’t help B-main cars, so I knew I had to finish in the top five. This set us up for a 14^th starting position in the feature and we were able to earn hard charger, passing nine cars to finish fifth. Overall, we have had decent heat race and feature results in our recent events. We will continue to push every week as we move forward.”

With the IRA taking the next two weekends off to allow teams to participate in the Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa, the Travis Arenz Motorsports team will return to action with the IRA for the annual Kenosha County Fair Night-Roger Illes Tribute Night racing program at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19.

One night later, the team will visit Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. with the IRA for the annual Corn Fest event Presented by Zimbrick Chevrolet.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4 p.m., followed by engine heat at 4:45 p.m., hot laps at 5 p.m. and opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.

All 2023 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events will be streamed live on FloRacing.

The 2023 Travis Arenz Motorsports team consists of pit crew members Greg Piedot, Jerrod Gamb, Emily Stadler, Cameron Fritz, Bobby Bonelli and Trevor Hittman (public relations). ..Additional information on the Travis Arenz Motorsports team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Travis Arenz Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Roth’s Auto Restoration

Travis Arenz Motorsports is pleased to have Roth’s Auto Restoration on board as a sponsorship partner for the team’s rookie season of competition with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series in 2023.

Located at 113 Balsam Road in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., Roth’s Auto Restoration has specialized in collision and auto body repair since 2008, providing exact color matching, paintless dent repair, car and motorcycle painting among many more services. Roth’s Auto Restoration service technicians are ASE certified, Axalta paint certified and PPG paint certified to ensure the best match for all vehicles. In addition to auto body repair, Roth’s Auto Restoration also offers base mechanical services such as brake work, tires, wheel balances and oil changes, along with free estimates and insurance work.

To contact or learn more about Roth’s Auto Restoration, call 920-980-0098, email tompainter1@yahoo.com or visit www.rothsautorestoration.com.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Travis Arenz Motorsports
Upcoming 2023 Schedule

Saturday, August 19 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis. (IRA)
Sunday, August 20 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis. (IRA)
Friday, August 25 – 34 Raceway, West Burlington, Iowa (IRA)
Saturday, August 26 – Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway, Pevely, Mo. (IRA-MOWA)

Travis Arenz Motorsports
410 Sprint Car
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 20
IRA Events – 19
All Star Events – 3
A Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 9
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 11
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 14
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 15
Heat Race Victories – 2
B Main Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 4
Dash Victories – 1
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0

Travis Arenz Motorsports
360 Sprint Car
2023 Season
By The Numbers

Total MSA-PDTR Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Heat Race Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0

August 2, 2023 / by Jeff Pederson

Pokorski turns in two MSA top fives in Plymouth, Eagle River doubleheader

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

Alex Pokorski recorded two top-five A-main finishes in Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Series competition with a fifth place finish at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, July 28 and a fourth place showing at Eagle River Speedway in Eagle River, Wis. on Saturday, July 29. – RC Custom Design photo

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 1, 2023 – Another doubleheader weekend of Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Series competition produced two more top-five A-main showings for Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team Friday, July 28 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. and Saturday, July 29 in the MSA series’ debut appearance at Eagle River Speedway in Eagle River, Wis.

Pokorski opened the third annual Road America Challenge Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-MSA 360 Sprint Car event at The Plymouth Dirt Track by recording the second fastest overall qualifying lap in the 25-car field with a time of 13.612 seconds.

After rolling off third in the first eight-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race, Pokorski got pinched low by another car just after the green flag was displayed to the field on the initial start, which caused the fourth-year Sprint Car driver to fall back to seventh in the running order.

However, the West Bend, Wis. competitor battled back by working his way past Bill Taylor, Josh Bilicki, Shane Wenninger and T.J. Smith over the final seven laps of the race to record a third place finish.

After the track crew worked on the very dry and dusty track surface at intermission, Pokorski and his fellow competitors in the large 25-car field were greeted with a vastly different fast and tacky track surface for the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main.

Pokorski started 10^th and moved to seventh by lap 5 before moving into the top five by passing Lance Fassbender with a low move in turn one on lap 16. Chris Clayton relegated Pokorski to sixth on lap 22 before the lone caution flag was displayed to the field when Devan Meyers of Bringhurst, Ind. spun in turn four.

On the restart, Pokorski moved up to the high line to work around T.J. Haddy in the closing three laps and secure a fifth place finish in a race won by Ben Schmidt.

“The heat race was a bit frustrating because I felt there should have been a caution thrown on lap one,” Pokorski said. “That put us behind a bit, but luckily we rebounded to third. The feature was fun going from 10^th to fifth. I was happy to finish in the top five.”

Paul Pokorski, who made his fifth start of the 2023 season in the seat of Spyder Akright’s 53A car, qualified 16^th with a lap of 14.392 seconds before starting ninth and finishing seventh in the first eight-lap PDTR-MSA heat race.

The 31-year veteran started the 25-lap main event 17^th and wound up 18^th at the finish.

Paul Pokorski competed for the fifth time during the 2023 season in Spyder Akright’s 53A car, posting an 18th place A-main finish in an Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Series event at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, July 28. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

“The night was a little frustrating,” Paul said. “In group qualifying, I felt I was held up a little bit by another car, which put us in a bad spot. That can sort of set up how your night will go. The car was okay, not bad, but not great all night. We will keep digging and having some fun.”

On Saturday, July 29, Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team headed three hours north for the first-ever full-sized Sprint Car race held at Eagle River Speedway.

Once again, Alex posted the second overall qualifying lap in the 17-car field by touring the D-shaped third-mile clay oval in 12.547 seconds.

After lining up fourth in the third eight-lap MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race, Alex spun in turn four on the opening lap. Following a brief visit to the work area, Alex started fourth in the five-car field for a complete restart.

Alex used a strong outside move shortly after the start to sweep past both Tristan Koenings and Kevin Karnitz to nail down second in turn two. Alex closed the gap on leader T.J. Smith over the final few laps before settling for second.

After starting fourth, Alex drove a steady race mainly along the preferred outside groove of the well-manicured semi slick and ultra smooth racing surface to record a fourth place showing in a race won by Ben Schmidt and presented by RC Custom Design.

The fourth place finish was Alex’s eighth top-five and 15^th top-10 A-main showing of the 2023 MSA campaign in 16 total events.

“I enjoyed visiting Eagle River Speedway and they prepared a nice surface for us to race on,” Alex said. “Qualifying still seems to be taunting me a bit. We finished second overall both nights this past weekend. I felt the A main went well, but I wish I were more aggressive on the initial start. I had thought about going above the cushion right away, but decided against it. Ben [Schmidt] went for it, and it worked very well for him. I’m glad we put on a good show for the fans there. I’d be happy to go back next year.”

The next race for Alex Pokorski at the Akright Auto Racing Team is this Saturday, Aug. 5 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis., which will also feature the PDTR Grand Nationals and B Mods, along with the IRA Lightning Sprints.

In addition, the event will include a kids’ coin and candy drop courtesy of VanDerVaart Concrete.