Pedal Down Promotions

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Alex Pokorski continues speed search at Plymouth Dirt Track  

Alex Pokorski turned in a 17th-place finish in the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 21. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 24, 2022 – With the national touring Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Car Series making its annual visit to The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds along with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team experienced an up-and-down type of night in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car division on Saturday, May 21.

With a solid showing of 31 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars signed in for the all-Sprint Car two-division program, Pokorski turned in the 17th-fastest lap in PDTR 360 Sprint Car group qualifying to earn the sixth starting spot in the third 10-lap heat race.

The third-year 360 Sprint Car competitor got the jump on fifth starter Katelyn Krebsbach to seize fifth place in turn one of the opening lap. Pokorski maintained the fifth spot throughout the remaining of the race on a fast and narrow racing surface.

After advancing one position in his heat race, Pokorski collected enough passing points to transfer directly into the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, where he rolled off from the 16th starting position.

With the inside lane serving as the preferred line, Pokorksi stayed low throughout the majority of the race as he moved up to 15th following a caution on lap 15. On the ensuing restart, Pokorski fell back to 18th in the running order after starting on the outside of the eighth row.

Pokorski regrouped to pull off a last-lap pass of Anthony Knierim to secure 17th at the finish of the race, which was won by Justin Erickson.

“The car felt really good for the heat race and I was happy to make the A-main directly out of the heat race,” Pokorski said. “The car was a bit of a handful in the A main. The track was also very one-lane around the bottom, so it was difficult to gain spots. I had moved up a few spots and then lost a couple spots restarting on the outside. I think we have a better sense of how to set up this car now, so hopefully we can be faster moving forward.”

Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team will return to action with the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Cars this Saturday, May 28 on Military Night with all members of the U.S. Military gaining free admission with valid identification.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with PDTR 360 Sprint Car hot laps/group qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

Alex Pokorski – Akright Auto Racing Team supporter Pedal Down Promotions will be the trophy sponsor for the May 28 PDTR program.

Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2022 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

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

 

Alex Pokorski

Akright Auto Racing Team

2022 Season

By The Numbers 

Total Events – 4

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 0

Top Five A Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1

Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2

Heat Race Victories – 0

Alex Pokorski

Akright Auto Racing Team

2022 Upcoming Races

Saturday, May 28 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, June 4 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, June 11 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

May 24, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Balog bags another Plymouth All Stars-IRA Shootout victory, Erickson collects first career PDTR 360 Sprint Car win

10-time Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association champion Bill Balog of Hartland earned his third career Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions A-main victory and 133rd career Bumper to Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series main event triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 21. – Jared Burba photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 21, 2022 – With the touring stars of the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions in town for the series’ fifth annual appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis., a contingent of Wisconsin-based drivers used their local knowledge to steal the spotlight with 10-time Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association champion Bill Balog of Hartland leading the way en route to his third career All-Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Car Series main event victory in the All Stars-IRA Shootout Saturday, May 21.

Balog, who earned his first career All Star Circuit of Champions A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track last year, led a Wisconsin sweep of all three podium positions in the 30-lap All Stars-IRA Shootout A main, as Danny Schlafer of Sussex placed second and Sheboygan’s Scotty Thiel finished third.

In the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main, Justin Erickson of Plymouth notched his first career main event triumph.

The initial start of the 30-lap All Stars-IRA Shootout main event was negated after Brandon Spithaler of Renfrew, Penn. hit the wall in turn three. After a complete restart, Bill Balog jumped into the lead from the pole position as Danny Schlafer, who started on the outside of the front row, slipped into second and fourth starter Parker Price-Miller of Kokomo, Ind. moved up into third.

By lap five, Balog caught the rear of the field and began to negotiate his way through lapped traffic, which allowed Schlafer to cut the lead considerably. The second and final caution flag flew on lap 10 when Blake Nimee of Oswego, Ill. spun against the turn two wall.

10-time Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series champion Bill Balog (17B) of Hartland duels with two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Danny Schlafer of Sussex, during the 30-lap All Stars-IRA Shootout A-main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 21. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Scotty Thiel, who started third, dove underneath Schlafer to briefly take over second place before the two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion regained the runner-up spot several laps later.

Balog, who is in his second season as full-time competitor with the All Star Circuit of Champions, had to deal with dense lapped traffic on the lightning fast and relatively narrow track surface over the final 10 laps of the event, but he skillfully sliced his way through the gaggle of slower cars to extend his lead over Schlafer in the closing laps en route to his third career All Star Circuit of Champions A-main victory, 133rd career IRA main event triumph and fifth straight A-main victory in his last five starts in All Stars and IRA competition at Plymouth.

The victory earned Balog $6,600, including $600 in bonus money courtesy of Newton, Wis.-based Mulch Express of Wisconsin through the Gr8 Challenge, which awarded $100 to the leader of lap 8 of the All Stars-IRA A-main and an additional $500 if the leader on lap 8 went on to win the race.

“This is what we want to do running with the All Stars,” Balog said. “We want to get feature wins and better finishes than we have been getting. We’ve been struggling a bit at some of the tracks we’ve been to with the All Stars this year. For some reason, we were good tonight. I wish the All Stars would come to Wisconsin a little more often. I have to thank all of my guys and supporters for helping to make this happen and all of the great fans here for helping to make us feel so comfortable and welcome the few times we get to race here now.”

With a strong turnout featuring many of the top Winged 410 Sprint Car drivers in the country, Wisconsin drivers swept the podium for the 30-lap Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions-Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association Shootout main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 21. Pictured left to right are Danny Schlafer of Sussex, who finished second; Bill Balog of Hartland, who earned his third career All Star Circuit of Champions A-main victory and Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan, who finished third. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Schlafer, who owns 23 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main victories and has yet to record an IRA A-main win, had to settle for an IRA career-best second-place finish.

“I can’t be too upset to run second to Bill because he’s the king of Wisconsin Sprint Car racing,” Schlafer said. “To run second is a hell of a night for us and to do it with the All Stars is an honor. This place is special to me as I ran a  lot of 360 stuff here over the years. My crew is what puts me here. I may get all the credit as the driver, but they make me look good.”

Thiel placed third, Price-Miller was fourth and Kyle Reinhardt of Neptune City, N.J. finished fifth after starting seventh.

The opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main saw 2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Justin Miller of Plymouth and Justin Erickson, who started fourth, duel side by side over the first two laps before Erickson surged into the lead in turn two on lap 3.

By lap 6, Erickson proceeded to bolt out to a full-straightaway advantage over Miller before encountering lapped traffic for the first time on lap 10.

Two laps later, the first of two caution flags appeared when Chris Larson of Franksville spun in turn two. On the restart, Tim Haddy of Waupun, who started on the pole, used the high groove to turn to surge past Miller into second place,

Miller battled back on lap 15 as Haddy and Miller swapped the runner-up spot back-and-forth over the next five laps before Haddy regained the position on lap 20. One lap later, Larson spun again in turn four to bring out the second and final caution flag of the race.

Justin Erickson of Plymouth notched his first career Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 21. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Erickson controlled the ensuring single-file restart and held on over the final four laps to collect his first career PDTR 360 Sprint A-main victory.

Haddy finished second, Miller wound up third, defending PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls, who started 18th, charged up through the field to place fourth and 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started fifth, rounded out the top five.

Justin Peck of Monrovia, Ind. won the 12-lap All Stars-IRA B main. Two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee won the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

In All Stars-IRA qualifying, Parker Price-Miller led the way by establishing a new PDTR track record with a lap of 10.895 seconds to shatter Scotty Thiel’s previous track record of 11.300 set on July 1, 2021.

2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett earned overall fast qualifier honors in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car division with a lap of 12.696 seconds.

The third PDTR program of the 2022 campaign, which was sponsored by JDL Automotive, drew a strong field of 36 All Stars-IRA 410 Sprint Cars and 31 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars.

This week’s Military Night Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, May 28 will feature free admission for all U.S. Military members with valid identification in honor of Memorial Day weekend.

In addition, Kindred Hearts families will hand out American flags to kids courtesy of B93 Sheboygan’s Country. Kindred Hearts is a non-profit that helps out family members that are taking care of children of other family members who are unable to. For example, grandparents who are raising their own grandchildren.

The trophy sponsor for the racing program on Saturday, May 28 is Pedal Down Promotions.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with 360 Sprint Car hot laps/group qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing to begin at 6 p.m.

The new book “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” by Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, George Baumann of Waupun and Verla Peichl of Sheboygan Falls will be available for purchase at every race during the 2022 PDTR season, as well as at the Sheboygan County Fair office during regular business hours and online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

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.

TEZOS ALL STAR CIRCUIT OF CHAMPIONS – BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION 410 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Parker Price-Miller 10.895 2, Scotty Thiel 10.941 3, Zeb Wise 10.960 4, Justin Peck 11.108 5, Jake Neuman 11.162 6, Danny Schlafer 11.163 7, Bill Balog 11.199 8, Cap Henry 11.238 9, Scott Bogucki 11.258 10, Hunter Schuerenberg 11.272 11, Kyle Reinhardt 11.277 12, Cory Eliason 11.295 13, Steve Meyer 11.318 14, Jordan Goldesberry 11.332 15, Kyle Schuett 11.348 16, Jack Routson 11.359 17, Tyler Courtney 11.360 18, Brandon Spithaler 11.360 19, Jake Blackhurst 11.367 20, Carson Short 11.368 21, Scotty Neitzel 11.381 22, Jeremy Schultz 11.383 23, Kevin Thomas Jr. 11.404 24, Tyler Tischendorf 11.475 25, Chris Windom 11.483 26, Hunter Custer 11.490 27, Sean Rayhall 11.536 28, Austin Hartmann 11.560 29, Blake Nimee 11.561 30, Dave Uttech 11.565 31, Russel Borland 11.574 32, Kris Spitz 11.584 33, Jereme Schroeder 11.729 34, Scott Biertzer 11.747 35, Ion Stear 11.992 36, Scott Conger 11.993.

HEAT 1

1, Cap Henry 2, Jake Neuman 3, Cory Eliason 4, Scotty Thiel 5, Sean Rayhall 6, Scott Biertzer 7, Jereme Schroeder 8, Scott Conger 9, Kris Spitz.

HEAT 2

1, Danny Schlafer 2, Zeb Wise 3, Hunter Schuerenberg 4, Parker Price-Miller 5, Carson Short 6, Steve Meyer 7, Scott Bogucki 8, Hunter Custer 9, Ion Stear.

HEAT 3

1, Tyler Courtney 2, Kyle Schuett 3, Brandon Spithaler 4, Kevin Thomas Jr. 5, Jordan Goldesberry 6, Scott Neitzel 7, Jake Blackhurst 8, Dave Uttech 9, Austin Hartmann.

HEAT 4

1, Bill Balog 2, Kyle Reinhardt 3, Blake Nimee 4, Chris Windom 5, Russel Borland 6, Justin Peck 7, Jack Routson 8, Jeremy Schultz 9, Tyler Tischendorf.

Dash

1, Bill Balog 2, Danny Schlafer 3, Scotty Thiel 4, Parker Price-Thiel 5, Cap Henry 6, Jordan Goldesberry 7, Tyler Courtney.

B MAIN

1, Justin Peck 2, Jake Blackhurst 3, Scott Bogucki 4, Scotty Neitzel 5, Steve Meyer 6, Jeremy Schultz 7, Dave Uttech 8, Scott Biertzer 9, Jack Routson 10, Jeremy Schroeder 11, Hunter Custer 12, Kris Spitz 13, Scott Conger 14, Austin Hartmann 15, Tyler Tischendorf 16, Ion Stear (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Bill Balog 2, Danny Schlafer 3, Scotty Thiel 4, Parker Price-Miller 5, Kyle Reinhardt 6, Hunter Schuerenberg 7, Zeb Wise 8, Justin Peck 9, Cory Eliason 10, Tyler Courtney 11, Cap Henry 12, Kevin Thomas Jr. 13, Carson Short 14, Jordan Goldesberry 15, Blake Nimee 16, Jake Blackhurst 17, Jake Neuman 18, Scott Bogucki 19, Chris Windom 20, Russel Borland 21, Kyle Schuett 22, Sean Rayhall 23, Scotty Neitzel 24, Brandon Spithaler.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANT VIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Lance Fassbender 12.696 2, Anthony Knierim 12.796 3, Brandon McMullen 12.859 4, Bill Taylor 12.860 5, Justin Miller 12.899 6, Andy Rein 12.928 7, Blake Wondra 12.943 8, Tyler Davis 12.983 9, Preston Ruh 13.013 10, Jack Vanderboom 13.059 11, Chris Clayton 13.132 12, Doug Wondra 13.205 13, Justin Erickson 13.210 14, Nick Daywalt 13.336 15, Katelyn Krebsbach 13.503 16, Mike Yurmanovich 13.532 17, Alex Pokorski 13.545 18, Ben Schmidt 13.554 19, Brandon Berth 13.773 20, Kurt Davis 13.776 21, Chris Larson 13.802 22, Tim Haddy 13.839 23, Tyler Brabant 14.119 24, Jordan Paulsen 14.143 25, Dylan Winkel 14.147 26, Spyder Akright 14.161 27, Tommy Colburn 14.349 28, Cole Possi 14.450 29, Travis Arenz 14.511 30, Randy Post 15.986 31, J.J. Pagel 16.682.

HEAT 1

1, Brandon Berth 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Kurt Davis 4, Tim Haddy 5, Tyler Brabant 6, Mike Yurmanovich 7, Dylan Winkel 8, Cole Possi.

HEAT 2

1, Nick Daywalt 2, Justin Erickson 3, Doug Wondra 4, Chris Larson 5, Spyder Akright 6, Tommy Colburn 7, Randy Post 8, Travis Arenz.

HEAT 3

1, Jack Vanderboom 2, Andy Rein 3, Preston Ruh 4, Anthony Knierim 5, Alex Pokorski 6, Katelyn Krebsbach 7, Jordan Paulsen 8, J.J. Pagel.

HEAT 4

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Justin Miller 3, Bill Taylor 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Chris Clayton 6, Tyler Davis 7, Blake Wondra.

B MAIN

1, Kurt Davis 2, Travis Arenz 3, Tyler Brabant 4, Chris Larson 5, Jordan Paulsen 6, Dylan Winkel 7, Mike Yurmanovich 8, Katelyn Krebsbach 9, J.J. Pagel 10, Randy Post 11, Spyder Akright 12, Blake Wondra 13, Cole Possi 14, Tyler Davis 15, Tommy Colburn.

A MAIN

1, Justin Erickson 2, Tim Haddy 3, Justin Miller 4, Travis Arenz 5, Ben Schmidt 6, Doug Wondra 7, Chris Clayton 8, Lance Fassbender 9, Brandon McMullen 10, Tyler Brabant 11, Jack Vanderboom 12, Brandon Berth 13, Nick Daywalt 14, Kurt Davis 15, Andy Rein 16, Dylan Winkel 17, Alex Pokorski 18, Anthony Knierim 19, Bill Taylor 20, Jordan Paulsen 21, Chris Larson 22, Preston Ruh.

May 22, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Schmalz returns with second children’s book ‘What Is Church?’

Lynn Schmalz of Appleton, Wis. has released her second children’s book “What Is Church?” through Pedal Down Promotions.

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 19, 2022 – As a self-described lifelong learner, Lynn Schmalz of Appleton, Wis. has embraced a newfound mission to share her diverse experiences and thirst for knowledge through her enthusiasm for writing and illustrating children’s books.

Schmalz’s latest children’s book “What Is Church?” continues the inquisitive nature of her debut children’s book “What Is School?” released in late 2021.

Published by Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wis., Schmalz’s “What Is Church?” features 31 pages of informative and inspirational messages with Christianity and the word of God serving as the centerpiece of full-color illustrations designed to intrigue and captivate both children and adults alike.

Schmalz, who is a Kaukauna, Wis. native, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and is presently employed as a paraprofessional in the Kimberly Area School District.

“What Is Church?” came to fruition through Schmalz’s desire for learning about complex subjects and sharing the teachings of Jesus Christ.

“I am a lifelong learner,” Schmalz said. “I have always been curious to try and figure out how things work. I love to read to gain insight in answering questions I have. Who is God? Who are we? Why are we here? Why did Jesus come from heaven to earth? What is our goal, mission? What is truth? Socrates said the unexamined life is not worth living. How do we examine our lives? What do we use to do so? Culture? Society? Our emotions? The Bible? What is truth? I believe when you know better, you do better!

“The more I learn, the more questions I have,” she said. “The inspiration for this book is to share the truth of Jesus with others. Come and hear God’s word, go and share his love! Why has the Bible been around as long as it has? It is written, ‘Man does not live on bread alone but on every word from the mouth of God.’ God’s Word is mysterious, intriguing and transforming! Don’t take my word for it…read it yourself and see! Readers will find the main problem of human life and the perfect solution too. It will also give the reader inspiration to truly seek to understand who Jesus is, what he has done and who we are because of him.”

“What Is Church?” has a similar look and feel when compared to “What Is School?,” while clearly establishing its own identity.

“‘What Is School?’ and ‘What Is Church?’ are both passionately written because I believe strongly in the topics as they are both part of everyday life for me,” Schmalz said. “They both give the reader successful strategies to problems faced as a school and as the church. They both highlight the person’s choice to choose to learn or not, and to choose to respect authority or not. The choice chosen will have consequences. Both books need the learner to seek to understand through listening and truly hearing the message and to be motivated to pursue more learning which will profit the learner in many ways. Both show that we are better together…unity and peace and treating others as we would like to be treated.

“The differences between the two are that faith is a gift not a choice, whereas learning is a choice,” she said. “’What Is Church?’ emphasizes what has been done for us whereas ‘What Is School?’ emphasizes our responsibility to make choices and choose to learn from them or not.”

“What Is Church?” is now available for purchase for $10 at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or by contacting Schmalz directly at lynnschmalz@sbcglobal.net.

For more information on Lynn Schmalz  and her “What Is Church?” children’s book, contact Pedal Down Promotions via email at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, by phone at 920-323-7970 or by visiting www.pedaldownpromo.com.

 

 

 

 

May 19, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Mulch Express of Wisconsin to present Gr8 Challenge at Plymouth All Star-IRA Sprint Car event

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(NEWTON, WIS.) May 18, 2022 – With deep roots in the thrilling sport of Sprint Car racing, Mulch Express of Wisconsin has thrown its support behind the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions – Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Shootout dirt track racing event at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. with the Gr8 Challenge presented by Mulch Express of Wisconsin on Saturday, May 21.

The Gr8 Challenge presented by Mulch of Express of Wisconsin will offer a $100 reward to the leader of lap 8 of the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions-Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association Challenge A-main event, along with an additional $500 bonus if the driver that leads lap 8 goes on to win the A-main event.

The fifth appearance of Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions Series at The Plymouth Dirt Track third-mile clay is expected to draw a strong field of top national and regional Sprint Car drivers, including defending All Star champion and current points leader Tyler Courtney of Indianapolis, Ind., current IRA points leader Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan, Wis. and defending race winner and 10-time IRA champion Bill Balog of Hartland, Wis., who is now in his second season as a full-time All Star Circuit of Champions competitor.

“It is exciting for Mulch Express of Wisconsin to be involved in this event, which will bring many of the top Sprint Car drivers in the country and region to our area,” Mulch Express of Wisconsin owner Russ Wetenkamp said. “We have a strong connection to Sprint Car racing after several years of competing locally in the 360 Sprint Car division with the number Gr8 car, so being involved with this big event is really a perfect fit for us. It should be a great night of Sprint Car racing.”

Along with the All Star Circuit of Champions and Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars, the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars will also be on the card for the all-Sprint Car event.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with on-track action slated to begin at 6 p.m.

Advance tickets are available by visiting https://www.irasprints.com/schedules/event/389124.

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.

Founded in 2000 out of the desire to control the cost and efficiency of installing mulch, bark, soil and playground chips, the Newton-based Mulch Express of Wisconsin specialty landscaping company has found its niche as the to-go mulching provider for municipalities, school districts, commercial businesses and residences throughout Northeastern Wisconsin.

To contact or obtain additional information on Mulch Express of Wisconsin, call 920-726-4840, send an email to mulchexpressofwi@gmail.com or visit Mulch Express of Wisconsin on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

May 18, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Alex Pokorski adjusts to new Akright Auto Racing Team surroundings in MSA double dip

Alex Pokorski made his debut in the seat of the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team 360 Sprint Car at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 14. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions 

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 17, 2022 – After forgoing last week’s 2022 season opener to attend to his college master’s degree program obligations at Concordia University of Wisconsin, third-year 360 Sprint Car driver Alex Pokorski spent the majority of a Midwest Sprint Car Association doubleheader weekend of action at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 14 and Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, May 15 searching for comfort and consistency behind the wheel of his new No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team machine.

After his father, Paul, steered Alex’s Akright Auto Racing Team car to a 10th-place showing in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, May 7, it was Alex’s turn to make his debut in the Spyder Akright-owned No. 4 ride with stellar field of 33 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars signed in at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, May 14.

In PDTR 360 Sprint Car group qualifying, Pokorski turned in the 27th fastest time with a lap of 13.935 seconds. After lining up eighth in the second 10-lap 360 Sprint Car heat race, Pokorski moved past Dylan Winkel to take over seventh on the opening lap. Pokorski maintained the position over the remaining nine laps to secure a seventh-place heat race finish.

Needing to finish in the top six to earn a transfer spot to the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, Pokorski started sixth in the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B Main and found himself running fifth following a yellow flag restart on lap 5.

After dueling with Chris Larson two laps, Pokorski maintained fifth in the running order until lap 10 when Larson and Blake Wondra worked past Pokorski, who slipped to seventh, one spot out of an A-main transfer spot.

Pokorski maintained his composure and battled back to work underneath Wondra to steal the sixth and final A-main transfer spot with a nifty move in turn one on the 15th and final circuit. Pokorski held on to place sixth and advance to his first PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main of the 2022 season.

After starting 22nd in the 25-lap main event, Pokorski worked the low groove in the first portion of the race. However, he found passing to be difficult along the inside line. On lap 20, Pokorski ventured up to the high groove to work his way around Preston Ruh into the 21st position, which is where he finished the non-stop race, which was won by Travis Arenz.

“On Saturday at Plymouth, we started pretty far away from what we want the car to do and we got a lot closer as the night went along,” Pokorski said. “The B main was a fun race back and forth for the last few transfer spots. In the A main, starting in the back is always tough. I think I spent too long trying to make the bottom work, but when I moved to the top, I was able to keep pace with the leaders.”

On Sunday, May 16, Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team ventured to Angell Park in Sun Prairie, Wis. for an Akright Auto Parts Midwest Sprint Car Association event, which attracted a 16-car field to the historic venue.

Pokorski started fifth in the first 10-lap MSA heat race before dropping back to seventh on lap 2 when Jack Vanderboom and Travis Arenz slipped past. On lap 5, Pokorski advanced to fifth when Travis Arenz dropped out with a broken axle and race leader Katelyn Krebsbach retired to the pit area with motor issues.

Pokorski went on to finish fifth on the narrow, undulating third-mile clay oval racing surface.

The West Bend driver rolled off ninth in the 25-lap MSA A main and found himself running 11th at the half-way mark of the race. With passing at a premium on the tricky track surface, Pokorski advanced to 10th after ducking underneath Tyler Davis in turn two on lap 19.

However, on the next circuit, Pokorski drifted high in turn four and hit the front stretch wall, which forced him to stop on the track to bring out the race’s lone caution flag. The damage was too extensive for Pokorski to return to the race as he was scored 15th in a race won by Kurt Davis.

“Like Plymouth, I think we had a similar adjustment period at Angell Park, but the car felt good for the feature,” Pokorski said. “That was the roughest track I’ve raced on and it eventually got the better of me when I got out of shape off the cushion in turn four and slapped the wall. We tweaked the Jacob’s ladder and bent the front axle as well.”

Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team will return to action with the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Cars this Saturday, May 21, as part of the fifth-ever appearance of the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Car Series at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. in conjunction with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with on-track action slated to begin at 6 p.m. for the all-Sprint Car event, which will be streamed live on FloRacing.

“This week the goal is to keep our nose clean and hopefully finish a little better using what we learned this past weekend on how to set this car up,” Pokorski said.

Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2022 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

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

 

Alex Pokorski

Akright Auto Racing Team

2022 Season

By The Numbers

Total Events – 3

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 0

Top Five A Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1

Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2

Heat Race Victories – 0

Alex Pokorski

Akright Auto Racing Team

2022 Upcoming Races

Saturday, May 21 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, May 28 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, June 4 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

May 17, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

All-time MSA A-main wins leader Davis shows the way at Angell Park Speedway

Five-time Midwest Sprint Car Association champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee earned his 64th career MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main victory in an Akright Auto MSA main event at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, May 15. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 15, 2022 – As the most experienced driver in the field, five-time Midwest Sprint Car Association champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee successfully displayed that he still has quite a bit left in the tank as he led every lap en route to victory in the 25-lap Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, May 15.

Davis used his pole position starting spot to jump into the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 25-lap MSA main, which was contest on an ultra-fast and correspondingly tricky track surface.

The 37-year veteran stuck tight to the inside groove as outside front row starter Jack Vanderboom of Dousman stayed in Davis’ tire tracks throughout the duration of the race.

Davis caught the rear of the 15-car field on lap 7, which allowed Vanderboom to cut into the lead slightly. With passing at a premium, Davis delicately maneuvered his way through lapped traffic, but he was unable to shake Vanderboom as the two leaders opened up a half-lap cushion over the third-place car of Mike Yurmanovich of Cascade by the half-way point.

The lone caution flag appeared on lap 20 when Alex Pokorski of West Bend slowed to a stop along the backstretch, after making contact with the front stretch wall.

When the race resumed, Davis hit his marks perfectly over the final five laps to secure his MSA-leading 64th career A-main victory and his first MSA 360 Sprint Car victory since scoring a main event win at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on May 8, 2021.

“I’m pretty worn out after that one,” Davis said in victory lane. “Starting from the pole was certainly the place to be on this track tonight. These young guys like Jack [Vanderboom] and several others seem to be getting faster and faster. This is one for the old guys.”

Vanderboom had to settle for second, Yurmanovich, who started third, placed third, 2011 MSA champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth finished fourth after starting fifth and fourth starter Tim Haddy of Waupun rounded out the top five.

Defending MSA champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls, who came into the event as the winner of four of the previous five MSA A mains at Angell Park Speedway and the first two MSA events of the 2022 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track, rallied from a broken axle in the first MSA heat race to place eighth after starting 15th in the main event.

MSA 10-lap heat race victories went to Tim Haddy and Mike Yurmanovich.

The third MSA 360 Sprint Car Series racing event of the 2022 campaign drew a field of 16 entrants to the historic Angell Park Speedway third-mile clay oval.

The MSA 360 Sprint Cars will run in support of the fifth-ever appearance of the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Car Series at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. in conjunction with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with on-track action slated to begin at 6 p.m.

Advance tickets for the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions – Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Shootout event at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, May 21 are available at https://www.irasprints.com/schedules/event/389124.

For more information on the 2022 Midwest Sprint Car Association season, visit http://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

Angell Park Speedway

Sun Prairie, Wis.

May 15, 2022

HEAT 1

1, Tim Haddy 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Jack Vanderboom 4, Dylan Winkel 5, Alex Pokorski 6, Chris Clayton 7, Katelyn Krebsbach 8, Travis Arenz.

HEAT 2

1, Mike Yurmanovich 2, Blake Wondra 3, Kurt Davis 4, Justin Miller 5, Lance Fassbender 6, Tommy Colburn 7, Tyler Davis 8, Bill Taylor.

A MAIN

1, Kurt Davis 2, Jack Vanderboom 3, Mike Yurmanovich 4, Ben Schmidt 5, Tim Haddy 6, Justin Miller 7, Blake Wondra 8, Travis Arenz 9, Lance Fassbender 10, Chris Clayton 11, Tyler Davis 12, Bill Taylor 13, Tommy Colburn 14, Dylan Winkel 15, Alex Pokorski 16, Katelyn Krebsbach (DNS).

May 16, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Arenz, Bongiorno, Loehr, Hitsman tally Plymouth Dirt Track Racing A-main triumphs

Defending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls racked up his 12th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 14. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 14, 2022 – On an unseasonably warm spring evening, a pair of drivers stayed perfect in A-main competition, while two competitors made their first main event trip to victory lane of the 2022 season, during the second Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program of the 2022 campaign Saturday, May 14 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

Defending PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls made it two-for-two on the 2022 season as he rolled to victory in the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty 360 Sprint Car main event victory.

In the 25-lap Sheboygan’s Country B93.7 25-lap Late model A-main, Joe Bongiorno of Milwaukee earned his first career Late Model main event triumph.

2018 PDTR Grand National champion Matt Loehr of Dotyville outdueled Luke Scholten of Oostburg to claim his first 25-lap Oostburg Automotive PDTR Grand National main event victory of the 2022 campaign.

Jonathan Hitsman of Sheboygan racked up his second 25-lap PDTR Next Step Insurance B Mod A-main victory in two attempts in 2022.

Outside front row starter Tim Haddy of Waupun got the jump on polesitter Bill Taylor of Boltonville to lead the opening lap of the 25-lap 360 Sprint Car headliner.

On lap 2, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started third, moved into second along the high groove, with Travis Arenz, who started sixth, trailing into third on lap 3.

Three laps later, Schmidt and Arenz closed the gap on Haddy as the top three drivers raced nose to tail along the preferred outside line of the third-mile clay oval. On lap 8, Arenz pulled off a slide job to seize second from Schmidt in turn four.

The leaders caught the rear of the field on lap 10, which allowed Arenz to close the gap significantly on Haddy. Arenz hounded Haddy over the next three laps as the leaders skillfully weaved their way through lapped traffic.

On lap 13, Arenz bolted past Haddy in turn three with Schmidt in tow as Haddy was shuffled back to third in the running order at the halfway mark of the race.

Six laps later Arenz found himself bottled up in heavy lapped traffic with a group of drivers racing side by side in front of him. However, Arenz dove low in turn one to put three lapped cars between himself and the second-place car of Schmidt on lap 20 and effectively seal the outcome of the race.

Arenz cruised over the final five laps en route to his 12th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 24th overall Midwest Sprint Car Association main event triumph in the caution-free race.

Schmidt had to settle for second, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Kurt Davis of West Allis placed third, after starting eighth, Haddy finished fourth and fourth starter Anthony Knierim of Caledonia rounded out the top five.

Four-time defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland grabbed the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 25-lap Late Model A main from the pole position as rookie Bill Edler of Glenbeulah, who started third, moved into second.

Joe Bongiorno of Milwaukee notched his first career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 14. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Schmidt maintained the lead over Edler before the first of two caution flags appeared on lap 7 for an incident in turn four involving Sawyer Specht of Sheboygan Falls and Turk Letizia of Milwaukee.

On the restart, fifth starter Joe Bongiorno worked the outside groove to pass Edler and slip into second. Seconds later, leader Justin Schmidt slowed to a stop in turn two to bring out the second caution flag on lap 8.

With Schmidt out of the race, Bongiorno assumed the lead on the restart as Kevin Baldry of Omro, who started sixth, used the high line to move into second on lap 9. Seven laps later Baldry closed in on Bongiorno and appeared that he was going mount a challenge for the lead.

However, Bongiorno used the next four laps to open up a full-straightaway cushion over Baldry and he maintained the top spot in the closing laps on the way to his first career PDTR Late Model A-main victory.

Baldry placed second, Jim Schmidt of Cleveland, who started seventh, finished third, Letizia recovered from his early-race incident to finish fourth and Edler took fifth.

Opening night A-main winner Luke Scholten took the lead on the first lap of the 25-lap Grand National main event from the pole. On lap two, 2008 PDTR Grand National champion Matt Yancey of Sheboygan moved into second after starting third.

Matt Loehr of Dotyville notched his 10th career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 14. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

On lap 3, second starter Matt Loehr engaged in a side-by-side duel with Yancey for second along the high line. Two laps later, Loehr charged into second and set his sights on Scholten.

By lap 13, Loehr had cut the gap considerably on Scholten and he moved in to challenge for the top spot on lap 20. The high-riding Loehr and low-running Scholten dueled side-by-side throughout lap 21 before sweeping into the lead utilizing the top groove exiting turn two.

Loehr fended off Scholten over the final three laps to notch his 10th career PDTR Grand National A-main victory in the non-stop race.

Scholten finished second, Yancey wound up third, fifth starter Brad Weiss of Cascade placed fourth and 2019 PDTR Grand National champ Tyler Kulow of Plymouth placed fifth after starting fourth.

Polesitter Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls took the lead on the opening lap of the B Mod A main as sixth starter Jonathan Hitsman bolted into second along the outside groove on the first circuit.

On lap 3, Hitsman cruised around Long in turn two to take over the top spot. From there, Hitsman set sail as he built up a half-lap lead over Long on lap 15.

Jonathan Hitsman of Sheboygan earned his fourth career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod A-main triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 14. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

As Spencer Long’s car began to display smoke, eighth starter Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls moved in to take second on lap 23. With Hitsman enjoying a substantial lead on the final lap, Spencer Long slowed to a stop in turn two with heavy smoke streaming from his car as the race ended under a combined checkered and caution flag.

Hitsman racked up his fourth career PDTR B Mod A-main victory in the caution-less event.

Shane Long finished second, seventh starter Gary Glander of Sheboygan Falls placed third, Jonathon Baumann of Sheboygan finished fourth after starting 10th and second starter Brandon Knepprath of Boltonville rounded out the top five.

Two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Danny Schlafer of Sussex won the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint B main.

Tim Haddy was the overall fast qualifier in PDTR 360 Sprint Car group qualifying with a lap of 12.702.

The second PDTR program of the 2022 season, which featured free admission for all police, fire and emergency medical services personnel, was sponsored by the city of Sheboygan Falls Fire Department.

The next PDTR event will feature the fifth-ever appearance of the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Car Series at The Plymouth Dirt Track in conjunction with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series on Saturday, May 21.

The PDTR 360 Sprint Cars will also be on the card for the all-Sprint Car event.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with on-track action slated to begin at 6 p.m.

Advance tickets for the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions – Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Shootout event at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, May 21 are available at https://www.irasprints.com/schedules/event/389124.

The new book “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” by Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, George Baumann of Waupun and Verla Peichl of Sheboygan Falls will be available for purchase at every race during the 2022 PDTR season, as well as at the Sheboygan County Fair office during regular business hours and online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANT VIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Tim Haddy 12.702 2, Scott Conger 12.896 3, Preston Ruh 12.910 4, Danny Schlafer 12.957 5, Anthony Knierim 12.962 6, Jack Vanderboom 12.962 7, Doug Wondra 12.974 8, Tommy Colburn 13.017 9, Spyder Akright 13.026 10, Travis Arenz 13.041 11, Bill Taylor 13.045 12, Chris Larson 13.140 13, Mike Yurmanovich 13.194 14, Ben Schmidt 13.233 15, Brandon Berth 13.313 16, Nick Daywalt 13.350 17, Al Schlafer 13.358 18, Brandon McMullen 13.380 19, Will Gerrits 13.412 20, Tyler Davis 13.525 21, Kurt Davis 13.591 22, Lance Fassbender 13.644 23, Tony Wondra 13.712 24, Justin Erickson 13.807 25, Dylan Winkel 13.867, 26, Katelyn Krebsbach 13.932 27, Alex Pokorski 13.935 28, Justin Miller 14.691 29, Andy Rein 14.792 30, Tyler Brabant 14.957 31, Blake Wondra no time 32, Chris Clayton no time 33, Randy Post no time.

HEAT 1

1, Tony Wondra 2, Justin Erickson 3, Kurt Davis 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Justin Miller 6, Andy Rein 7, Katelyn Krebsbach 8, Tyler Brabant 9, Randy Post.

HEAT 2

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Nick Daywalt 4, Will Gerrits 5, Al Schlafer 6, Tyler Davis 7, Alex Pokorski 8, Dylan Winkel.

HEAT 3

1, Anthony Knierim 2, Travis Arenz 3, Doug Wondra 4, Scott Conger 5, Danny Schlafer 6, Mike Yurmanovich 7, Blake Wondra 8, Brandon Berth (DNS).

HEAT 4

1, Jack Vanderboom 2, Tim Haddy 3, Bill Taylor 4, Spyder Akright 5, Preston Ruh 6, Tommy Colburn 7, Chris Larson 8, Chris Clayton.

B MAIN

1, Danny Schlafer 2, Tyler Davis 3, Preston Ruh 4, Chris Larson 5, Mike Yurmanovich 6, Alex Pokorski 7, Chris Clayton 8, Blake Wondra 9, Al Schlafer 10, Dylan Winkel 11, Tommy Colburn 12, Randy Post 13, Will Gerrits (DNS) 14, Tony Wondra (DNS) 15, Katelyn Krebsbach (DNS) 16, Brandon Berth (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Travis Arenz 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Kurt Davis 4, Tim Haddy 5, Anthony Knierim 6, Brandon McMullen 7, Danny Schlafer 8, Jack Vanderboom 9, Lance Fassbender 10, Justin Erickson 11, Bill Taylor 12, Scott Conger 13, Nick Daywalt 14, Doug Wondra 15, Justin Miller 16, Chris Larson 17, Tyler Davis 18, Andy Rein 19, Mike Yurmanovich 20, Spyder Akright 21, Alex Pokorski 22, Preston Ruh.

SHEBOYGAN’S COUNTRY B93.7 LATE MODELS

HEAT 1

1, Bill Edler 2, Kevin Baldry 3, Joe Bongiorno 4, Jim Schmidt 5, Charlie Schmidt.

HEAT 2

1, Turk Letizia 2, Justin Schmidt 3, Sawyer Specht 4, Chad Ludwigson 5, Eric Michaels.

A MAIN

1, Joe Bongiorno 2, Kevin Baldry 3, Jim Schmidt 4, Turk Letizia 5, Bill Edler 6, Sawyer Specht 7, Justin Schmidt 8, Charlie Schmidt 9, Chad Ludwigson (DNS) 10, Eric Michaels (DNS).

OOSTBURG AUTOMOTIVE GRAND NATIONALS

HEAT

1, Tyler Kulow 2, Matt Loehr 3, Matt Yancey 4, Luke Scholten 5, Donny Kulow 6, Brad Weiss 7, Steven Weber.

A MAIN

1, Matt Loehr 2, Luke Scholten 3, Matt Yancey 4, Brad Weiss 5, Tyler Kulow 6, Steven Weber 7, Donny Kulow.

NEXT STEP INSURANCE B MODS

HEAT 1

1, Trevor Frank 2, Shane Long 3, Rory Welch 4, Brandon Knepprath 5, James Rautmann 6, Andy Welter.

HEAT 2

1, Jonathan Hitsman 2, Gary Glander 3, Steve Lorier 4, Spencer Long 5, Jonathon Baumann.

A MAIN

1, Jonathan Hitsman 2, Shane Long 3, Gary Glander 4, Jonathon Baumann 5, Brandon Knepprath 6, Andy Welter 7, Steve Lorier 8, James Rautmann 9, Spencer Long 10, Rory Welch 11, Trevor Frank.

May 15, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Austin Hartmann makes strides in IRA’s return to Sycamore Speedway

Austin Hartmann turned in an 18th-place A-main finish in his debut appearance at Sycamore Speedway in Maple Park, Ill. with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series on Saturday, May 7. – Casey Bollig Photography

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 11, 2022 – In just his second-ever event in the seat of a 410 Sprint Car, Austin Hartmann and 87A Hartmann Racing paid a visit to a brand new track for the team, as the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association returned to Sycamore Speedway in Maple Park, Ill. for the first time in 35 years on Saturday, May 7.

Hartmann was among 26 IRA competitors to sign in for the IRA’s first event at the Chicago-area three-eighths mile clay oval since the 1987 season. The Plymouth, Wis. driver opened his maiden Sycamore Speedway voyage by turning in the 23rd fastest qualifying lap in 15.806 seconds.

After rolling off eighth in the second eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann drove a steady race to move up one spot in the running order en route to a seventh-place finish.

Hartmann then fired off from the 21st starting position in the 30-lap IRA main event. The 2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Award winner clicked off consistent laps and avoided potential danger to improve three spots during the A main and claim his second consecutive 18th-place main event finish in the race, which was won by Scotty Thiel.

“Since it was our first time at Sycamore, we basically took a look at the track and compared it to similar tracks we’ve raced at and went from there,” Hartmann said. “I’d say it was like Plymouth, but definitely with different clay for sure though.

“The car performed well throughout the night,” he said. “In qualifying, we weren’t able to keep heat in the engine, so it didn’t run the best. We adjusted and adapted throughout the night with track conditions changing. Overall, I’d say it was a good learning night.”

With no Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car events scheduled this coming weekend, the 87A Hartmann Racing team will take the upcoming weekend off in preparation for a three-race IRA swing in conjunction with the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions Friday, May 20 at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis., Saturday, May 21 at The Plymouth Dirt Track the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. and Sunday, May 22 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis.

“Our next race will be Friday, May 20 at Wilmot Raceway to start our three-race swing with the All Stars, which will be joining forces with the IRA for the weekend,” Hartmann said. “The team and myself are excited about the opportunity to race in these three big events.”

The 87A Hartmann Racing team has assembled a strong group of partners in support of the team’s maiden voyage with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Series, including Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Call Girls Motorsports, Pallet Works LLC, AF Inc., Bennett Transport Inc., SCA Inc., Gretchen Tillman New American Funding, Classic Title Services, CP Services, Cobblestone Landscaping, Jensen Sales & Services, Lee’s Color Studio, Dave’s Fabrication, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Pit Road Apparel, the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Sage Fruit.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham, Caitlin Shaw, Jarrett Neese and Kristine Hartmann.

Those unable to make it to track can follow all of the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action throughout the 2022 campaign via FloRacing by visiting https://www.floracing.com.

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

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty

KRISTINE HARTMANN, REALTOR OF Pleasant View Realty, better known as “Every Race Fans Realtor,” has 24-plus years of experience selling real estate throughout Wisconsin.

Kristine’s passion for the sport of racing connects with her competitive drive and ambition as a Realtor in the community.

Contact Kristine Hartmann with all your real estate needs and ask her for the special Racing Rates!

You can find her on Facebook @ KRISTINE HARTMANN, REALTOR.  Also, she can be found at the 87A trailer at any IRA race and would be happy to chat racing and real estate!

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/PVRKRISTINE, call/text 920-980-5542 or email kristine@pleasantviewrealty.com.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

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

 

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing

2022 Season

By The Numbers

Total Events – 2

IRA Events – 2

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 0

Top Five A Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0

Top 15 A Main Finishes – 0

Top 20 A Main Finishes – 2

Heat Race Victories – 0

Dash Appearances – 0

Dash Victories – 0

 

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing

Upcoming 2022 Schedule

Friday, May 20 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.

Saturday, May 21 – The Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Sunday, May 22 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.

Saturday, May 28 – Rice Lake Speedway, Rice Lake, Wis.

Sunday, May 29 – 141 Speedway, Francis Creek, Wis.

 

May 11, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Paul Pokorski nets top-10 MSA finish in Akright Auto Racing Team guest driving role

In a guest-driving role for his son, Alex, Paul Pokorski steered the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team 360 Sprint Car to a 10th-place finish in the 2022 season opening Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 7. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions  

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 10, 2022 – While regular Akright Auto Racing Team driver Alex Pokorski was tending to his college obligations, 30-year veteran Paul Pokorski made the most of a fill-in opportunity behind the wheel of the No. 4 360 Sprint Car by charging to a top-10 A-main finish in the 2022 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association season opener at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 7.

Pokorski, who was among 27 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car drivers signed in to compete in the 2022 PDTR lid lifter, searched to find his comfort zone in the third 10-lap heat race, as he fell back from his fourth starting spot to finish seventh.

After lining up fourth in the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main, Pokorski worked around Chris Larson on the opening lap to advance to third. On lap 5, Bill Taylor dropped Pokorski to fourth. Pokorski used the outside groove to work his way back into third on lap 9.

The 2014 MSA Masters Series champion moved up to second in the running order when Preston Ruh dropped out of the race on lap 10. Two laps later, Larson powered past Pokorski, as the West Bend driver finished third to earn a spot in the 25-lap A main.

Pokorski rolled off 19th in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car headliner and worked primarily the high line around the multi-groove racing surface in the early going to move into 16th on lap 5. After the red flag appeared on lap 7 for a flip involving Will Gerrits, Pokorski moved up to 15th on the restart.

Another red flag was displayed on lap 17 when Ben Schmidt and Brandon McMullen collided in turn three while racing for the lead. Pokorski restarted 12th and advanced to 10th following a yellow flag on lap 18 for Justin Miller’s spin.

Pokorski held strong over the final seven laps to secure a 10th-place finish in a race won by Travis Arenz.

“This car feels different than our own car, so there was a little bit of a learning curve,” Pokorski said. “We also had a couple of little mechanical issues early on that we needed to sort through. All in all, we kept going in the right direction and by feature time, the car was pretty decent. However, the driver was a little rusty!

“I think we did a decent job of tuning it up and getting it going in the right direction for Alex to take over this weekend,” he said.

Alex Pokorski will make his debut in the seat of the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team car for a doubleheader weekend of Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association action beginning Saturday, May 14 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. and wrapping up on Sunday, May 15 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis.

Saturday, May 14 is police, fire and emergency medical services night at The Plymouth Dirt Track with all police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel gaining free admission with valid identification.

Spectator gates open at 3:30 p.m. with racing scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, May 14.

On Sunday, May 15, spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with on-track action scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at Angell Park Speedway.

Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2022 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

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

Alex Pokorski

Akright Auto Racing Team

2022 Season

By The Numbers 

Total Events – 1

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 0

Top Five A Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1

Top 15 A Main Finishes – 1

Heat Race Victories – 0

Alex Pokorski

Akright Auto Racing Team

2022 Upcoming Races

Saturday, May 14 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Sunday, May 15 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.

Saturday, May 21 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

May 10, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Arenz, Jim Schmidt, Scholten, Hitsman stand tall in 2022 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing opener

Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls claimed his 11th career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 7. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 7, 2022 – With the customary Wisconsin spring evening chill in the air, the 62nd consecutive season of racing competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. opened with plenty of heated action in all four divisions, during the 2022 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season opener on Saturday, May 7.

Defending PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls capitalized on a late-race incident between former PDTR 360 Sprint Car champions Ben Schmidt of Plymouth and Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh to earn the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasantview Realty 360 Sprint Car main event victory.

Jim Schmidt of Cleveland outdueled his son, Justin, to capture the season opening- Sheboygan’s County B93.7 25-lap Late Model A-main.

Luke Scholten of Oostburg rolled to victory in the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National A main and Jonathan Hitsman of Sheboygan used a late-race pass to secure the 25-lap Next Step Insurance B Mod A-main triumph.

After drawing the pole position, Arenz bolted into the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 25-lap 360 Sprint Car headliner as fourth starter Ben Schmidt ducked into second in the running order.

By lap 4, Arenz had caught the rear of the field on the multi-groove racing surface. On lap 7, the red flag was displayed when Will Gerrits of Waupun flipped in turn one.

On the restart, sixth starter Brandon McMullen made a bold move along the low line to sweep past Schmidt into second in turn two. Four laps later, Arenz found himself bogged down by heavy lapped traffic, which allowed McMullen to close the gap significantly.

On lap 11, Arenz made slight contact with a lapped car along the high groove as McMullen bolted into the lead along the low line exiting turn four. McMullen proceeded to power away from Arenz over the next five laps before Schmidt worked past Arenz to take over second on lap 16 and quickly set his sights on McMullen for the lead.

One lap later, Schmidt made a big run on McMullen along the low line entering turn three. However, contact between the two cars sent Schmidt flipping and resulted in damage to McMullen’s car to bring out the second red flag of the race.

With Schmidt out of the race and McMullen relegated to the pit area to make repairs before restarting the race at the rear of the field, Arenz regained the lead on the ensuing restart. Arenz pulled away on the restart before 2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Justin Miller of Plymouth spun in turn three on lap 18 to bring out a yellow flag.

Following the final restart, 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett, who started eighth, and fifth starter Tim Haddy of Waupun waged an epic battle for second in the closing laps.

Fassbender and Haddy, two of the most experienced drivers in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car division, exchanged multiple slide jobs over the final seven circuits before Haddy emerged with the runner-up spot with two laps remaining.

Meanwhile, Arenz shot out to a commanding lead down the stretch en route to his 11th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car and 23rd overall Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main victory.

Haddy finished second, Fassbender was third, Doug Wondra of Oakfield charged from the 14th starting spot to finish fourth and Waldo’s Chris Clayton placed fifth, after starting 16th.

Late Model rookie Bill Edler of Howards Grove outdueled polesitter Kevin Baldry of Omro to lead the opening lap of the 25-lap Late Model main event. On lap 2, the lone caution of the race appeared for an incident in turn three.

Jim Schmidt of Cleveland earned his 17th career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model A-main triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 7.- JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Jim Schmidt of Cleveland, who started fourth, flexed his muscle on the restart to power around Edler and into the top spot utilizing the high groove of the third-mile clay oval. On lap 6, four-time defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt, who started fifth, moved past Baldry and Edler to secure second.

Justin Schmidt ducked low to pressure Jim Schmidt for the lead on lap 7, but was unable to make the pass attempt stick. Five laps later, Jim Schmidt made slight contact with a lapped car, which allowed Justin Schmidt to close the gap significantly.

As Jim Schmidt weaved his way through lapped traffic, Justin Schmidt again ducked low to mount another bid for the lead in turn four on lap 20. However, once again Jim Schmidt successfully fended off his son’ challenge and held on over the final five laps to notch his 17th career PDTR Late Model A-main victory.

Justin Schmidt had to settle for second, sixth starter Justin Ritchie of New London finished third, Charlie Schmidt of Oostburg finished fourth after starting eighth and Baldry rounded out the top five.

Polesitter Steven Ruh of Elkhart Lake powered into the lead in the Bender Racing 89 car on the drop of the green flag in the 25-lap Grand National A main. On lap 2, fourth starter Luke Scholten used the outside groove to challenge Ruh for the lead.

Ruh and Scholten then proceeded to put on a racing clinic over the next 15 laps as they traded the lead back and forth on multiple occasions in an entertaining side-by-side duel.

Luke Scholten of Oostburg locked down his 16th career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 7. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

With Ruh holding strong on the low line, Scholten skillfully worked the high groove to finally gain the top spot for good on lap 16. As Scholten pulled away over the final nine laps, 2019 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth, who started third, slipped past Ruh to take second on lap 23.

Scholten went on to post his 16th career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph, Kulow placed second, Ruh wound up third, 2008 PDTR Grand National champ Matt Yancey of Sheboygan placed fourth after starting fifth and Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake, who started second, placed fifth.

Rory Welch of Grafton grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap B Mod A main from the pole. On lap three, third starter Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls moved under Welch to take the lead in turn four.

By lap 13, Long had built up a full straightaway lead over Welch. Four laps later, the lone caution flag of the race appeared when Welch and Gary Glander of Sheboygan Falls collided exiting turn four.

Following the restart, ninth starter Jon Hitsman of Sheboygan powered into second and quickly closed in on Long for the top spot. On lap 21, Hitsman used the high line to pull even with Long. The two drivers dueled side by side over the next two laps, before Hitsman gained the lead in turn two on lap 23.

Jonathan Hitsman of Sheboygan claimed his third career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B mod A-main win at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 7. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Hitsman held on over the final two laps to rack up his third career PDTR B Mod A-main victory. Shane Long placed second, Jonathan Baumann of Sheboygan, who started fourth, placed third, fifth starter Andy Welter of Hartford placed fourth and Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls finished fifth after starting 10th.

Tony Wondra of Campbellsport won the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint B main.

The first PDTR program of the 2022 season was sponsored by Collins State Bank.

PDTR action featuring 360 Sprint Cars, Late Models, Grand Nationals and B Mods is scheduled to resume with Fire, Police and Emergency Medical Services Night on Saturday, May 14. All firefighters, police officers and emergency medical services personnel will receive free admission with a valid identification.

Spectator gates open at 3:30 p.m. with hot laps at 4:30 p.m. and racing at 5 p.m.

The new book “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” by Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, George Baumann of Waupun and Verla Peichl of Sheboygan Falls will be available for purchase at every race during the 2022 PDTR season, as well as at the Sheboygan County Fair office during regular business hours and online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Cole Possi 2, Will Gerrits 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Katelyn Krebsbach 5, Justin Miller 6, Chris Clayton 7, Blake Wondra 8, Tony Wondra 9, Bill Taylor.

HEAT 2

1, Tim Haddy 2, Anthony Knierim 3, Brandon Berth 4, Doug Wondra 5, Spyder Akright 6, Mike Yurmanovich 7, Dylan Winkel (DNS) 8, Tommy Colburn (DNS) 9, Jack Vanderboom (DNS).

HEAT 3

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Justin Erickson 3, Travis Arenz 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Chris Larson 6, Preston Ruh 7, Paul Pokorski 8, J.J. Pagel 9, Tyler Brabant (DNS).

B MAIN

1, Tony Wondra 2, Chris Larson 3, Paul Pokorski 4, Bill Taylor 5, Blake Wondra 6, Tommy Colburn 7, J.J. Pagel 8, Preston Ruh 9, Jack Vanderboom (DNS) 10, Dylan Winkel (DNS) 11, Tyler Brabant (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Travis Arenz 2, Tim Haddy 3, Lance Fassbender 4, Doug Wondra 5, Chris Clayton 6, Justin Erickson 7, Tony Wondra 8, Anthony Knierim 9, Brandon McMullen 10, Paul Pokorski 11, Cole Possi 12, Mike Yurmanovich 13, Blake Wondra 14, Chris Larson 15, Justin Miller 16, Bill Taylor 17, Spyder Akright 18, Tommy Colburn 19, Katelyn Krebsbach 20, Ben Schmidt 21, Brandon Berth 22, Will Gerrits.

SHEBOYGAN’S COUNTRY B93.7 LATE MODELS

HEAT 1

1, Justin Ritchie 2, Joe Bongiorno 3, Bill Edler 4, Randy Manos Jr., 5, Tony Peterson 6, Chad Ludwigson 7, Eric Michaels (DNS).

HEAT 2

1, Jim Schmidt 2, Justin Schmidt 3, Kevin Baldry 4, Sawyer Specht 5, Charlie Schmidt 6, Turk Letizia.

A MAIN

1, Jim Schmidt 2, Justin Schmidt 3, Justin Ritchie 4, Charlie Schmidt 5, Kevin Baldry 6, Joe Bongiorno 7, Turk Letizia 8, Sawyer Specht 9, Bill Edler 10, Randy Manos Jr., 11, Tony Peterson (DNS) 12, Chad Ludwigson (DNS) 13, Eric Michaels (DNS).

OOSTBURG AUTOMOTIVE GRAND NATIONALS

HEAT

1, Luke Scholten 2, Tyler Kulow 3, Donny Kulow 4, Steven Ruh 5, Matt Yancey 6, Steven Weber.

A MAIN

1, Luke Scholten 2, Tyler Kulow 3, Steven Ruh 4, Matt Yancey 5, Donny Kulow 6, Steven Weber.

NEXT STEP INSURANCE B MODS

HEAT 1

1, Andy Welter 2, Shane Long 3, Brandon Knepprath 4, Rory Welch 5, Patrick Hanson 6, Spencer Long

HEAT 2

1, Jonathon Baumann 2, Gary Glander 3, Jerry Grasse 4, James Rautmann 5, Jonathan Hitsman 6, Michael Strean.

A MAIN

1, Jonathan Hitsman 2, Shane Long 3, Jonathon Baumann 4, Andy Welter 5, Spencer Long 6, Brandon Knepprath 7, Rory Welch 8, Jerry Grasse 9, Gary Glander 10, Patrick Hanson 11, James Rautmann 12, Michael Strean.

May 8, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Austin Hartmann posts rock solid 410 debut in IRA opener at Beaver Dam Raceway  

Austin Hartmann of Plymouth, Wis. turned in an 18th-place finish in the 30-lap A main in his first race behind the wheel of a 410 Winged Sprint Car, as he kicked off his rookie season with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Saturday, April 23 at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. – Casey Bollig Photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 26, 2022 – Third-year Sprint Car competitor Austin Hartmann successfully launched his first season behind the wheel of a 410 Winged Sprint Car in the 2022 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association (IRA) season opener at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, April 23.

Utilizing a calm, cool and collected approach in negotiating a lightning fast and tricky track surface, Hartmann brought his Bennett Transport Inc.-sponsored 87A Hartmann Racing machine home to an 18th-place finish in the first 30-lap A main of his rookie season with the regional touring Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Car Series.

Hartmann, who earned the 2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Awards, opened the night by turning in the 22nd fastest qualifying effort among the 25 drivers signed in for the 2022 IRA season-opening event with a lap of 13.282 seconds.

“We started out the night good in hot laps, as those were my first laps under power with a 410 motor,” Hartmann said. “I learned the speed difference and how it’s going to react. In qualifying, I didn’t intend to, but I burnt my first lap by mess ups. The car handled like I thought it was going to, it just was tricky getting it how I wanted it.”

After lining up eighth in the first eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann pulled into the infield on lap 3 with a power steering issue. After retiring from the event, Hartmann was scored with a ninth-place finish.

“In the heat race, I pulled off due to a power steering line that blew off covering the cockpit and myself with fluid,” Hartmann said. “My team went to work and got it fixed up, cleaned up and ready for the A main.”

Later in the evening, Hartmann returned to the ultra-quick, high-banked, undulating third-mile clay oval to roll off 25th in the 30-lap IRA headliner.

Hartmann stayed smooth and consistent, while steering clear of trouble, as attrition helped the Plymouth, Wisconsin driver move up seven spots throughout the course of the race on the way to an 18th-place showing in a race won by Scotty Thiel.

“The team and myself really had one goal in mind for the feature and that was to keep it in one piece and finish all the laps, which we did,” Hartmann said. “All in all, I’m very happy with how the night went and getting everyone back on course with what they had to do within the team aspect, as well as getting laps and learning the car.”

With the Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Car Series idle, the 87A Hartmann Racing team is planning to compete in a non-IRA points 410 Sprint Car event at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wisconsin this Saturday, April 30.

“The 87A Hartmann Racing team is looking forward to running a non-points event at Wilmot this coming weekend,” Hartmann said. “We can’t wait to build off what we previously learned at Beaver Dam. I can’t thank my team and sponsors enough for this amazing opportunity I have been blessed with.”

The 87A Hartmann Racing team has assembled a strong group of partners in support of the team’s maiden voyage with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Series, including Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Call Girls Motorsports, Pallet Works LLC, AF Inc., Bennett Transport Inc., SCA Inc., Gretchen Tillman New American Funding, Classic Title Services, CP Services, Cobblestone Landscaping, Jensen Sales & Services, Lee’s Color Studio, Dave’s Fabrication, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Pit Road Apparel, the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Sage Fruit.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham, Caitlin Shaw, Jarrett Neese and Kristine Hartmann.

Those unable to make it to track can follow all of the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action throughout the 2022 campaign via FloRacing by visiting https://www.floracing.com.

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

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Bennett Transport Inc.

Based in Manitowoc, Wis., Bennett Transport Inc. provides truck load and LTL service throughout Eastern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and the Chicagoland area.

For more information on Bennett Transport Inc., call 920-860-0962, email beau@benntransinc.com or check out @Bennett Transport Inc on Facebook.

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.

 

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing

2022 Season

By The Numbers

 Total Events – 1

IRA Events – 1

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 0

Top Five A Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0

Top 15 A Main Finishes – 0

Top 20 A Main Finishes – 1

Heat Race Victories – 0

Dash Appearances – 0

Dash Victories – 0

  

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing

Upcoming 2022 Schedule

Saturday, April 30 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.

Saturday, May 7 – Sycamore Speedway, Maple Park, Ill.

Saturday, May 14 – Dirt Oval at Route 66, Joliet, Ill.

Friday, May 20 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.

Saturday, May 21 – The Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Sunday, May 22 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.

April 26, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

‘Racing Recollections’ details stories of Plymouth Dirt Track racers, fans

“Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” by George Baumann, Dennis Darovich and Verla Peichl will be on sale on race nights during the 2022 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. The book can also be purchased at the Sheboygan County Fair Office and online at www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com.

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 14, 2022 – The diverse and intriguing collection of strong personalities, memorable characters and dedicated individuals who have played a role in accentuating the sounds, sights, color and excitement of the sport of dirt track racing over the course of the past 70-plus years at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. serve as the centerpiece of the new motorsports book “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” from Pedal Down Promotions.

After releasing “70 Years of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Covering the 1950 through 2020 Seasons” in 2021, Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Racing Historian Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, Wis. and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Historian George Baumann of Waupun, Wis. have teamed up with former Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car reporter Verla Peichl of Sheboygan Falls, Wis. to showcase the drivers, fans, workers, pit crew members, car owners and racing enthusiasts, who have helped to make dirt track racing a beloved summertime pastime at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. for the past 72 years.

Published by Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wis., “Racing Recollections” features 120 pages of profiles and backstories from each decade of The Plymouth Dirt Track’s history, as well as wide selection of nearly 100 color and black and white photos, which bring the side-by-side racing action to life in vivid detail.

“Readers will find interviews from 1997 through 1999 of drivers at Plymouth, along with interviews conducted between 1999 through 2002,” Darovich said. “Also included are responses from officials, drivers and fans to a 2021 questionnaire. While the majority of the focus is on those that competed at and attended races regularly at Plymouth, there is also information from other area tracks, including 141 Speedway, Cedarburg Speedway, Hales Corners Speedway, Slinger Speedway, Wisconsin International Raceway and other tracks in the Milwaukee area. There are also many new and unique recollections from a wide range of fans, race officials and car builders.

“In addition, a special section of this book covers the Sheboygan Speedway and legends specials at Wisconsin International Raceway,” he said. “Many different drivers were included in ‘Racing Recollections,’ such as John Born, John Kraemer, Dave Deicher, Mark Johnson, Bob Brion, Dean Bares, Rick Van Der Vart and Dick White to name a few. Photos were contributed by John Surges of Vintage Modified Stock Car, RC Custom Design, Frank Motorsports, Bob Diener, Tom ‘T.J.’ Ott, Jerry Giebler, Sheri and Marla Nytes and the book contains an alphabetical listing of driver photographs. Bill Mueller also contributed his typing and proofreading talents to the book, along with writing the foreword.”

Just as it did with last year’s “70 Years of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” book, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing is a strong supporter of the “Racing Recollections” book project with additional backing coming from the family of Tom “T.J.” Ott, Impress Floor Care, Hopf Farms and Doug’s Skip’er Inn.

In addition to being on sale for $15 during 2022 racing events at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis., “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” is also available in e-book and paperback formats on barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com.

“Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” can also be purchased at the Sheboygan County Fair Office, located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. Monday through Friday, during regular business hours.

Additional information on Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and the upcoming 2022 PDTR racing season can be found at www.plymouthdtr.com.

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

April 14, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Tom Kreutz, Team 3K take aim at full 2022 MSA schedule  

Tom Kreutz and the Team 3K 360 Sprint Car racing team are seeking to complete a full season of action with the Midwest Sprint Car Association in 2022. – Team 3K photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 12, 2022 – After competing on a limited basis over a portion of past 10 seasons, Tom Kreutz and the members of his Team 3K 360 Sprint Car racing team are setting their sights on completing the full Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association schedule during the upcoming 2022 campaign.

Kreutz turned in a promising 2021 campaign, which featured his first-ever 360 Sprint Car heat race victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on July 1, as Team 3K entered a total of 11 of 27 MSA and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car points races a year ago.

Team 3K heads into the 2022 campaign with plans to contest all 25 scheduled MSA events, starting with the MSA season-opening Jim Wipperfurth Memorial at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, April 16.

“Our goal is to run the full MSA schedule this year, which would be a first for us,” Kreutz said. “We’ve been competing in the 360 Sprint Car division at The Plymouth Dirt Track and in select MSA events on a very part-time basis since 2012. Last year was our best season so far, as we won our first heat race and had several solid B-main runs.

“We have a brand new motor for the season and have made a few updates to the car that will hopefully help make us a little more consistent,” he said. “We are eager to get the season going.”

As it strives to step up its efforts on the track during its first full MSA campaign, Team 3K has formed additional partnerships with a strong collection of area business supporters in 2022.

“We have a few businesses that have stepped up to help us this year and we want to thank each of them for coming in to help us reach our goal of running a full season,” Kreutz said. “We are still seeking more sponsorship to help keep us on the track and would love to hear from anyone that might be interested in coming on board with us this year.”

Among the 2022 Team 3K sponsors and supporters are Fischer’s Fleet Service, In The Bag, Elegant Rose Photography-Tasha Holst, Steinpreis Trucking LLC, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Those interesting in supporting Tom Kreutz and Team 3K during the 2022 Midwest Sprint Car Association season are encouraged to contact Tom Kreutz at 724-237-1903 or tomkreutz02@gmail.com.

Additional information on Team 3K can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/team3k or by checking out the Team 3K press releases at www.pedaldownpromo.com.

Team 3K Sponsor Showcase – Fischer’s Fleet Service

Located at 2021 North 18th St. in Sheboygan, Wis, Fischer’s Fleet Service has provided Sheboygan County customers with specialized diesel truck, trailer and heavy equipment repair service under the direction of owners  Les and Lou Fischer for the past 27 years.

Les Fischer, a third-generation diesel mechanic who graduated from the NWTC Diesel Mechanic Program in 1982, opened the doors of Fischer’s Fleet Service with his wife, Lou, on March 6, 1995.

As a full-service diesel truck, trailer, and heavy equipment repair facility, Fischer’s Fleet Service is well-equipped to service all makes and models of large and medium duty commercial diesel trucks, as well as heavy equipment, including semi-trucks, trailers, dump trucks, excavating equipment, forklifts, fire trucks, ambulances and much more. The repair shop covers everything from routine maintenance to complete engine overhauls and everything in between.

Additionally, Fischer’s has over 20 years of experience selling, installing, servicing, and repairing all makes and models of snow and ice removal equipment.

Fischer’s Fleet is the authorized BOSS dealer in Sheboygan County with a large in-house inventory of snow plow parts, spreader parts and accessories available to a trained staff of technicians for a variety of installation, service and repair procedures.

When downtime is not an option, call Fischer’s Fleet Service at 920-452-4550 or visit www.fischersfleetservice.com.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

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

 

Tom Kreutz Team 3K

2022 Season

By The Numbers 

Total Events – 0

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 0

Top Five A Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0

Top 15 A Main Finishes – 0

Heat Race Victories – 0

  

Tom Kreutz Team 3K

2022 Schedule

Saturday, April 16 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Saturday, April 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, May 7 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, May 14 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Sunday, May 15 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.

Saturday, May 21 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, May 28 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, June 4 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, June 11 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, June 18 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Thursday, June 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, July 9 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, July 16 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Sunday, July 17 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.

Saturday, July 23 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, July 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, August 6 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, August 13 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, August 20 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Friday, August 26 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, August 27 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.

Friday, September 2 – Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Saturday, September 3 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Friday, September 23 – Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Saturday, September 24 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

April 12, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Alex Pokorski set to make Akright Auto Racing Team debut in 2022 MSA opener

Third-year 360 Sprint Car driver Alex Pokorski is poised to kick off his first season with the Akright Auto Racing Team, during the Midwest Sprint Car Association 2022 season opener Saturday, April 16 at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. – Akright Auto Racing Team photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 5, 2022 – The 2021 racing season was one to remember for Pokorski Motorsports as the team’s main driver Paul Pokorski wrapped up his tenure as a regular on-track competitor after 29 consecutive highly successful seasons behind the wheel of the No. 4 machine.

Pokorski, who claimed 46 A-main victories and racked up a total of four track and series championships in Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Series competition for Pokorski Motorsports, shared the seat of the team’s No. 4 360 Sprint Car with his son, Alex, during the “original” Pokorski Motorsports team’s final go around in 2021.

For the upcoming 2022 season, it will be Alex Pokorski’s turn to take center stage as the driver of the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team 360 Sprint Car in equipment furnished by Spyder Akright of Akright Auto in Sheboygan Falls, Wis.

Pokorski’s new team is scheduled to hit the track for the first time in the 2022 Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association season opener at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. for the annual Jim Wipperfurth Memorial event on Saturday, April 16.

“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to race this car and so many people around me that help to make it possible,” Alex Pokorski said. “Since I’ve never driven the car before, we are hoping to get out to a practice to shake out any bugs that may occur. We will be starting the season off with the MSA opener at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday, April 16. I am currently unsure of how many events we will run. I think the plan is to mainly run Plymouth. We will see about outside shows.

“Some goals I have for the season are to be more consistent and to finish higher in the point standings than we did last year,” he said. “I would like to thank Spyder and Akright Auto for getting me in a car this year. I also am thankful that my parents have helped me to make this possible and for all the work the crew has put in.”

In 29 official Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association events and 27 complete programs in 2021, the Pokorski Motorsports team collected a total of two top-five A-main finishes, seven top-10 A-main showings, one B main victory and three heat race triumphs, while placing 14th in the final MSA standings and 15th in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car point standings.

In 18 events a year ago, Alex tallied two top-five A-main finishes, five top-10 A-main showings and three heat race victories during the 2021 campaign, including a career-best fourth-place showing in the final non-point MSA event of the season on Saturday, Oct. 2 at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis.

“I would say my highlight for the season last year was the last night finishing fourth at Beaver Dam,” Alex said. “The track at Beaver Dam was a lot of fun to race on and the car felt great.”

Paul capped his 29-year driving career with Pokorski Motorsports by earning two top-10 A-main showings and one B-main victory in 11 events.

While his role will mainly consist of behind-the-scenes support during the 2022 season, Paul says he may have a chance to slip into his driver’s suit a few times this year.

“We are incredibly grateful to Spyder for giving Alex the opportunity to keep racing, since he is doing so well and continuing to improve,” Paul Pokorski said. “Helping Alex should keep me busy, and there may be an opportunity for me to drive a couple of nights this year as well. Our team will still be around as the members of our old Pokorski Motorsports crew will continue to prepare and maintain Alex’s car this year. I’m excited to see where Alex can take it in 2022 and maybe beyond.”

Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2022 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

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

 

Alex Pokorski

Akright Auto Racing Team

2022 Season

By The Numbers

Total Events – 0

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 0

Top Five A Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0

Top 15 A Main Finishes – 0

Heat Race Victories – 0

Alex Pokorski

Akright Auto Racing Team

2022 Upcoming Races

Saturday, April 16 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Saturday, April 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, May 7 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis

April 5, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Austin Hartmann, 87A Hartmann Racing to kick off rookie IRA campaign at 34 Raceway

Austin Hartmann of Plymouth, Wis. is set to kick off his rookie season with the Bumper to Bumper 410 Sprint Car Series at the IRA and Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA) co-sanctioned Morning Sun Farm Implement 410 Clash at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions 

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) March 29, 2022 – A busy off-season full of planning, anticipation and excitement is about to come to an end for Austin Hartmann and the members of the Plymouth, Wis.-based 87A Hartmann Racing team as they will begin their quest for the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Sage Fruit-Hepfner Race Products Top Apple IRA Rookie of the Year Award this Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa.

Hartmann, who earned the 2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Awards, is eager to begin his rookie 410 Sprint Car campaign at the IRA and Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA) co-sanctioned Morning Sun Farm Implement 410 Clash, which is expected to draw a strong field of 410 Sprint Car competitors from throughout the Midwest.

The event will mark Hartmann’s first appearance at the 3/8-mile semi-banked 34 Raceway clay oval, as well as his debut behind the wheel of 410 Winged Sprint Car.

“The 87A team is very excited to get the season started out at 34 Raceway,” Hartmann said. “After months of getting a new trailer set up and toter home ready, along with getting cars ready, we are ready to head down to 34 to start our rookie IRA season. The nerves haven’t quite hit yet, but I’m very excited about getting back behind the wheel and experiencing a 410 Sprint Car.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without everyone that is a part of this team,” he said. “I’d like to say a special thanks to my mom, stepdad, and girlfriend, Caitlin, for their hard work doing the behind-the-scenes work. Also, I would like to thank my crew chief, Hunter, for his hard work getting the cars and trailer ready with me. With the learning curve of a 410, I couldn’t do it without the help of Ozzie Weisner. He’s been there to help with any questions I have and his ability to help with the engine is a big plus for our team.”

During the upcoming 29-race 2022 IRA 410 Sprint Car Series season, the 87A Hartmann Racing team is set to compete at 15 different tracks covering a four-state radius, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and North Dakota.

87A Hartmann Racing will be among the contenders for the 2022 Sage Fruit-Hepfner Race Products Top Apple Rookie of the Year Award, which will award $2,500 courtesy of Sage Fruit and a top and nose wing combo from Hepfner Race Products to the top IRA rookie.

In addition, the 2022 IRA Rookie of Year runner-up will receive the Apple Cup, which includes a $1,250 bonus from Sage Fruit and a Hepfner Race Products nose wing.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team has assembled a strong group of partners in support of the team’s maiden voyage with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Series, including Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Call Girls Motorsports, Pallet Works LLC, AF Inc., Bennett Transport Inc., SCA Inc., Gretchen Tillman New American Funding, Classic Title Services, CP Services, Cobblestone Landscaping, Jensen Sales & Services, Lee’s Color Studio, Dave’s Fabrication, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Pit Road Apparel, the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Sage Fruit.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team recently added Bennett Transport Inc. to its growing list of supporters for the 2022 season.

“I am excited to welcome on board another great sponsor, Bennett Transport Inc. of Manitowoc, Wisconsin,” Hartmann said. “We are very excited about this partnership and can’t wait to see where it takes us.”

The 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham, Caitlin Shaw, Jarrett Neese and Kristine Hartmann.

“I have to thank all of the partners, sponsors, supporters and pit crew members that have stepped up to make it possible for us to race with the IRA full time in 2022,” Hartmann said. “A lot goes into putting together a 410 Sprint Car team and running an entire season with a highly competitive series like the IRA. I am greatly appreciative of everyone that stands behind us.”

Those unable to make it to track can follow all of the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action throughout the 2022 campaign via FloRacing by visiting https://www.floracing.com

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

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Shufflebotham Tree Service

Located in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, Shufflebotham Tree Service specializes in tree trimming, tree removal, brush chipping, lot clearing and stump grinding with fully-insured service.

Contact Andrew Shufflebotham and his highly-skilled team for your next tree trimming, removal or clean-up project by calling 920-627-3849 or checking out the Shufflebotham Tree Service Facebook page – https://www.Facebook.com/Shufflebotham-Tree-Service-610730955677101.

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.

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing

2022 Season

By The Numbers

Total Events – 0

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 0

Top Five A Main Finishes – 0

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0

Top 15 A Main Finishes – 0

Heat Race Victories – 0

Dash Appearances – 0

Dash Victories – 0

 

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing

Upcoming 2022 Schedule

Friday, April 1 – 34 Raceway, West Burlington, Iowa

Saturday, April 2 – 34 Raceway, West Burlington, Iowa

Saturday, April 23 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.

March 29, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Rogler adds to Madea’s Fate trilogy with ‘Witch’s Valley’  

Bob Rogler of School Hill, Wis. has released the second book of the Madea’s Fate trilogy, “Witch’s Valley Book Two-Madea’s Fate,” which is the follow up to his debut medieval fantasy adventure novel “Heart of Light Book One-Madea’s Fate,” which was released in 2020.

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) February 20, 2022 – After introducing a  intriguing cast of characters entrenched in a battle of good and evil within the medieval fantasy world of the Northend in his debut novel “Heart of Light Book One-Madea’s Fate,” Bob Rogler returns with another collection of adventures in his highly anticipated new book “Witch’s Valley Book Two-Madea’s Fate.”

Published by Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wis, Rogler’s third novel and second entry in the Madea’s Fate trilogy further expands on the complicated and compelling family themes found in “Heart of Light,” while advancing the boundaries of the fantasy adventure genre.

“‘Witch’s Valley’ picks up where ‘Heart of Light’ leaves off,” Rogler said. “The reader will discover that time does not stand still in the Northrend. Madea has recovered by the grace of the dryads and the Heart of Light, but she must now face the disturbing visions her gift of foresight reveals.

“An unfortunate chain of events was set into motion when Keren and Jolly had an altercation with a handful of trespassers,” he said. “Blood and bitterness ignite the fires of revenge. Unknown to them, the hobgoblyn Gholi, chief of the Rhette-Du, struggles to uncover the fabled goblyn city of Balitte-Ungress lost for a thousand years and what he believes to be the future of his kin. It is only winter, which holds back conflict and inevitability, yet the seasons cannot be halted.”

Rogler says “Witch’s Valley” will include many of the same elements of “Heart of Light,” with a new set of fantasy, adventure themes, twists and turns awaiting readers.

“The cast remains the same, even though there was the loss of both heroes and villains,” Rogler said. “In the Northrend, there are always those who seek dominion over others. The reach of the brotherhood is ever growing.”

Bob Rogler’s third medieval fantasy adventure novel “Witch’s Valley Book Two-Madea’s Fate” is now available for purchase at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com or directly from Rogler at rogler50@yahoo.com.

With his daughter, Gabrielle, serving as the main inspiration for the story’s main character, Rogler wrote “Heart of Light Book One-Madea’s Fate” and now “Witch’s Valley Book Two-Madea’s Fate” with youthful readers in mind.

“The Madea’s Fate trilogy is written for young adults,” Rogler said. “It is set in a medieval world of fantasy, which will appeal to anyone who enjoys magic and adventure. ‘Shadows of Fate Book Three-Madea’s Fate’ will conclude the trilogy and will be available later in 2022.”

Rogler, who is the head custodian at Manitowoc Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, Wis. and a resident of School Hill, Wis. where he lives with his wife, Jennifer, son, Logan, and daughter, Gabrielle, released the adult fantasy novel “Rendered Soul” in 2020.

“Witch’s Valley Book Two-Madea’s Fate,” along with “Heart of Light Book One-Madea’s Fate” and “Rendered Soul,” are now available for purchase for $20 at Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. Autographed copies are available by contacting Bob Rogler directly via email at rogler50@yahoo.com.

“You can follow me on Facebook on the Heart of Light page,” Rogler said. “Also, readers should watch for an upcoming blog and webpage.”

Readers are encouraged to write a review of “Witch’s Valley Book Two-Madea’s Fate” on Amazon.com and Goodreads.

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

February 20, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Austin Hartmann, 87A Hartmann Racing poised to take on full 2022 IRA schedule

2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Austin Hartmann of Plymouth, Wis. is intending to contest the entire 2022 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series schedule and compete for the series’ Sage Fruit-Hepfner Racing Products Top Apple Rookie of the Year Award during the upcoming season. – RC Custom Design graphic

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) February 19, 2022 – After testing the waters in the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series to close out the 2021 season, driver Austin Hartmann and the Plymouth, Wis.-based 87A Hartmann Racing team are gearing up to contest the full 29-race IRA schedule and compete for the series’ Sage Fruit-Hepfner Race Products Top Apple IRA Rookie of the Year Award during the upcoming 2022 campaign.

Hartmann began his Sprint Car racing career in impressive fashion by earning the 2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Awards.

Late in the 2021 season, the Plymouth, Wis. driver pivoted his attention from the 360 Sprint Car to the 410 Sprint Car ranks by entering five IRA events during the months of August and September, during which Hartmann qualified for a pair of IRA A-main events at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Sept. 18 and The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Sept. 25, recording 23rd and 22nd place finishes respectively.

In his third season behind the wheel of a Sprint Car, Hartmann is ready to face off against many of the top 410 Sprint Car competitors in the Midwest as a regular competitor on the 2022 IRA tour, which will see his 87A Hartmann Racing team compete at 15 different tracks covering a four-state radius, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and North Dakota.

“Originally, we were going to only run six to eight IRA shows this year and prepare to go full time with the series in 2023,” Hartmann said. “The more we thought about it, we came to the decision that running the full IRA tour made sense for us this year. The opportunity was there to do it, and we are really looking forward to getting the season started and running for rookie of the year with the IRA.”

Hartmann and his 87A Hartmann Racing team will begin the 2022 IRA season with a pair of Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association versus Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA) 410 Sprint Car Series Clash events at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa on Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2.

“As a team, we are very excited about going to a bunch of new tracks and getting out and doing some traveling this year,” Hartmann said. “It is something I’ve always wanted to do and the crew feels the same way. We updated our trailer and motorhome in the off-season and we are all eager to hit the road.”

87A Hartmann Racing will be among the contenders for the 2022 Sage Fruit-Hepfner Race Products Top Apple Rookie of the Year Award, which will award $2,500 courtesy of Sage Fruit and a top and nose wing combo from Hepfner Race Products to the top IRA rookie.

In addition, the 2022 IRA Rookie of Year runner-up will receive the Apple Cup, which includes a $1,250 bonus from Sage Fruit and a Hepfner Race Products nose wing.

The Hartmann 87A Racing team has assembled a strong group of partners in support of the team’s maiden voyage with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Series, including Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Call Girls Motorsports, Pallet Works LLC, AF Inc., SCA Inc., Gretchen Tillman New American Funding, Classic Title Services, CP Services, Cobblestone Landscaping, Jensen Sales & Services, Lee’s Color Studio, Dave’s Fabrication, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Pit Road Apparel, the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Sage Fruit.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham, Caitlin Shaw, Jarrett Neese and Kristine Hartmann.

“I have to thank all of the partners, sponsors, supporters and pit crew members that have stepped up to make it possible for us to race with the IRA full time in 2022,” Hartmann said. “A lot goes into putting together a 410 Sprint Car team and running an entire season with a highly competitive series like the IRA. I am greatly appreciative of everyone that stands behind us.”

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

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.

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing

2022 Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Car Series

Schedule 

Friday, April 1 – 34 Raceway, West Burlington, Iowa

Saturday, April 2 – 34 Raceway, West Burlington, Iowa

Saturday, April 23 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Saturday, May 7 – Sycamore Speedway, Maple Park, Ill.

Saturday, May 14 – Dirt Oval at Route 66, Joliet, Ill.

Friday, May 20 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.

Saturday, May 21 – The Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Sunday, May 22 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.

Saturday, May 28 – Rice Lake Speedway, Rice Lake, Wis.

Sunday, May 29 – 141 Speedway, Francis Creek, Wis.

Saturday, June 4 – Wilmot Speedway, Wilmot, Wis.

Saturday, June 11 – Fairbury Speedway, Fairbury, Ill.

Sunday, June 12 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.

Thursday, June 30 – The Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Friday, July 15 – River Cities Speedway, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Saturday, July 16 – River Cities Speedway, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Friday, July 22 – Outagamie Speedway, Seymour, Wis.

Saturday, July 23 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.

Friday, July 29 – Langlade County Speedway, Antigo, Wis.

Saturday, July 30 – The Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, Aug. 20 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.

Sunday, Aug. 21 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.

Friday, Sept. 2 – Dodge County Speedway, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Saturday, Sept. 3 – The Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Sunday, Sept. 4 – 141 Speedway, Francis Creek, Wis.

Saturday, Sept. 10 – Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, Wis.

Saturday, Sept. 17 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Friday, Sept. 23 – Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Saturday, Sept. 24 – The Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

February 19, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Schmalz releases first children’s book ‘What Is School?”

Lynn Schmalz of Appleton, Wis. has released her first children’s book “What Is School?”

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) November 22, 2021 – After accumulating a wide variety of experiences as a lifelong learner in her roles a school paraprofessional, nurse, mother and babysitter, Lynn Schmalz of Appleton, Wis. has captured her observations, ideas and lessons related to acceptance, open-minded learning and a diverse educational approach in her debut children’s book “What Is School?”

Published by Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wis., Schmalz’s debut book features 26 pages of encouraging words and thoughtful, full-color illustrations that will easily appeal to children, as well as adults sharing in their child’s reading journey.

A native of Kaukauna, Wis, Schmalz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and is presently employed as a paraprofessional in the Kimberly Area School District.

Schmalz initially got the idea to write and illustrate “What Is School?” after receiving inspiration from another book about school.

“After reading Dr. Ross Greene’s book, ‘Lost At School,’ I was convinced that my way of thinking could be improved,” Schmalz said. “I was compelled to share what I have learned with others by writing this book.”

The theme that resonates throughout “What Is School?” is how open and accepting communication is key among students, staff, parents and community members in forging a successful school learning environment.

“I believe that life is enhanced when we actively take responsibility for our learning through collaboration and communication with others,” Schmalz said. “As a result, we will learn successful strategies to solve problems. The process is worth the effort.

“The main theme of the book is that lifelong learners continue to improve and grow,” she said. “When the going gets tough…collaborate, communicate and celebrate the journey.”

Schmalz hopes “What Is School?” proves to be both enjoyable and usable for young readers.

“I believe that a book like mine would be helpful to all who wish to improve because we can always learn if we are open to it,” Schmalz said.

Lynn Schmalz, a former nurse and current paraprofessional with the Kimberly School District in Kimberly, Wis., has published her first book through Pedal Down Promotions titled “What Is School?”

Schmalz also intends to schedule some community and school events to help launch “What Is School?”

“I would like to do some public events to help share the book with the community,” Schmalz said. “I will look into any library author events and maybe a school event as well.”

“What Is School?” is now available for purchase for $10 at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or by contacting Schmalz directly at lynnschmalz@sbcglobal.net.

For more information on Lynn Schmalz and her “What Is School?” children’s book, contact Pedal Down Promotions via email at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, by phone at 920-323-7970 or by visiting www.pedaldownpromo.com.

 

November 22, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

‘Original’ Pokorski Motorsports team reflects on successful final season with promise for the future

Alex Pokorski collected three heat race victories and two top-five A-main showings during his second year of 360 Sprint Car competition with the Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Cars during the recent 2021 season. – C-Marq Photography

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) November 19, 2021 – The 2021 racing season marked the final go-around for the “original” version of the Pokorski Motorsports team, which was headed up for 29 consecutive seasons by driver Paul Pokorski and his wife, Lynn, since its inception as an Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified team in 1993.

Pokorski, who claimed 46 A-main victories and racked up a total of four track and series championships in Winged Super Modified and MSA 360 Sprint Car Series competition for Pokorski Motorsports, also brought his 29-season run as a regular driver to a close during his second consecutive season sharing the seat of the No. 4 360 Sprint Car with his son, Alex.

In 29 official MSA events and 27 complete programs, the Pokorski Motorsports team collected a total of two top-five A-main finishes, seven top-10 A-main showings, one B main victory and three heat race triumphs, while placing 14th in the final MSA standings and 15th in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car point standings.

Paul opened the 2021 MSA season in the seat of the Pokorski Motorsports car at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, April 17. The 2014 MSA Masters Series champion was running in the top 10 in the A main when a fuel shut off valve issue forced him to retire from the race and relegated him to a 20th-place showing.

One week later, Paul came home 15th in an MSA A main contested in arctic 30-degree weather at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton, Wis. on Saturday, April 24. Paul was running in the top-five of the 2021 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car opener at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 1 when a smoking motor linked to a magneto issue forced him out of the race with a 22nd-place finish.

The Pokorski Motorsports team then earned its first top-10 A-main showing of the 2021 season when Paul steered the No. 4 car to a 10th-place finish at Beaver Dam Raceway on Friday, May 7.

Paul Pokorski (4) ended his 29-year tenure as a driver for the “original” Pokorski Motorsports team earning two top-10 A-main showings in 11 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car events during the 2021 season. – RC Custom Design photo

One night later, Alex made his 2021 debut, which ended with an eighth-place finish in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, May 8.

On Saturday, May 15, Alex and Paul competed on the same night for what proved to be the only time during the 2021 season with Alex in the seat of the Pokorski Motorsports car and Paul behind the wheel of Spyder Akright’s 53A Akright Auto machine at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Alex’s night ended with a seventh-place finish in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main contested on a lightning-fast track surface. Paul brought the Akright Auto car home 15th in the A main before disaster struck shortly after the checkered flag fell.

Seconds after taking the checkered flag, Paul had to take drastic measures to avoid a rapidly slowing car, which resulted in him making heavy impact with the turn one wall and flipping the 53A car. Paul was able to emerge from the severely damaged car under his own power. However, the Akright Auto car, which Paul had planned to drive several more times during the 2021 campaign, proved to be a total loss and remained on the sidelines for the rest of the year.

On Saturday, May 22, Alex wound up ninth in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main at The Plymouth Dirt Track. Alex was on hand for an MSA event at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, May 23. However, rain forced the A main to be cancelled.

Alex advanced to his first A main of the season on Saturday, May 29 at The Plymouth Dirt Track as he came home with a 19th-place main event finish.

One week later, Alex posted his career-best A-main showing after delivering a 16th-place showing in the main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, June 5 held in conjunction with the annual appearance of the national touring FloRacing All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Car Series.

On Saturday, June 12, Alex wound up fifth in the second PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Paul was back behind the wheel of the Pokorski Motorsports car for the annual Hagar Nelson Memorial event at Outagamie Speedway Powered by EWSC Racing in Seymour, Wis. on Friday, June 18. Paul was running in the top 15 in the A main when a smoking engine due to a valve cover gasket failure forced him out of the race en route to a 23rd-place finish.

Alex got on track in a big way on Saturday, June 19 has he advanced 10 spots in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main to advance from his 21st starting spot to a career-best 11th-place finish at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Paul steered the No. 4 car to a 17th-place finish in a special PDTR 360 Sprint Car event on Friday, June 25 at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Alex again turned in an impressive performance during a special event at The Plymouth Dirt Track held in conjunction with the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series weekend at nearby Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. on Thursday, July 1. After starting 22nd in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, Alex stormed up 11 spots to notch his second straight 11th-place main event showing.

On Saturday, July 10, Alex earned his first career heat race victory and a 20th-place finish in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Alex tallied a 16th-place A-main showing in PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main action at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 17. One week later, during the Dave Deicher Tribute Night event at The Plymouth Dirt Track, Alex turned in his first career top-10 A-main showing by notching a career-best ninth place finish in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car headliner on Saturday, July 24.

After starting on the pole of the PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main on July 31, Alex lead the 17 laps of the 25-lap headliner before finishing a career-best fifth to record his first career top-five A-main showing. One night later, Alex returned to Angell Park Speedway where he turned in a strong eighth-place A-main finish on Sunday, Aug. 1.

On Saturday, Aug. 14, Alex came home 19th in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track. Alex’s first appearance of the 2021 season at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 28 proved to be a rough one as a flip on the opening lap of his heat race forced the team to scratch for the remainder of the program.

Paul was back in the driver’s seat for the annual Sheboygan County Fair race at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, Sept. 4, during which he recorded a 12th-place A-main showing.

A mysterious rear-end gear issue hampered Paul throughout the night in PDTR 360 Sprint Car action at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, Sept. 11 as his night ended with an 11th-place finish in the B main.

Alex was back behind the wheel at Gravity Park Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 18 where he posted a sixth-place A-main finish on a rubbered-up track surface.

Paul capped the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season with a 14th-place finish in A-main action on Saturday, Sept. 25 in the final regular points race of the 2021 PDTR and MSA seasons.

Paul closed out his 29-season tenure with the “original” Pokorski Motorsports team by notching a season-best eighth-place showing in a non-points MSA A-main at Beaver Dam Raceway on Friday, Oct. 1.

Alex wrapped up the 2021 season with a career-best fourth-place A-main finish in the final race for the “original” Pokorski Motorsports team at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday, Oct. 2.

In 18 events, Alex tallied two top-five A-main finishes, five top-10 A-main showings and three heat race victories during the 2021 campaign.

“I would say my highlight for the season was the last night finishing fourth at Beaver Dam,” Alex said. “The track at Beaver Dam was a lot of fun to race on and the car felt great.

“If I could have one night back, it would be when I led the first 17 laps of the feature at Plymouth,” he said. “I wish I would’ve been more aggressive with lapped traffic. I think our finishes improved during the course of the season due to me learning to be more consistent with my driving, as well as our set ups getting better. I have to thank my parents for getting me into the car so frequently this season and trusting in my abilities. Our crew and the sponsors were all great. We can’t do it without them and they make race nights more fun. Racing is a big family event for us and I’ve really enjoyed all the support from them and my girlfriend. I think our fan base also grew a bit this year and I enjoyed forming some new relationships with them.”

Paul capped his 29-year driving career with Pokorski Motorsports by earning two top-10 A-main showings and one B-main victory in 11 events.

With the 2022 season just around the corner, Alex and Paul and the rest of the Pokorski Motorsports crew has been hard at work preparing for a new venture with Spyder Akright’s Akright Auto 360 Sprint Car racing team for the 2022 season.

“We are selling part of our equipment to a young man who has never raced anything before, so I plan to try to help him and his father, offering as much help as they want from me to help them along,” Paul said. “Alex has been given a one-year deal to drive for Spyder Akright and Akright Auto for about 75 percent of the MSA races, mostly at Plymouth.

“We [Pokorski Motorsports] will be housing that car, freshening it over the winter and doing the week-to-week maintenance during the season,” he said. “We are incredibly grateful to Spyder for giving Alex the opportunity to keep racing, since he is doing so well and continuing to improve. Those two things should keep me busy, and there may be an opportunity for me to drive a couple of nights next year as well. We will see how much time and energy I have left. Our team will still be around. It will just look pretty different. It was a good last year for ‘the original Pokorski Motorsports.’ I’m excited to see where Alex can take it in 2022 and maybe beyond.”

Alex is also thankful for the opportunity to continue his Sprint Car racing career under the Akright Auto banner in 2022.

“Pokorski Motorsports has been an awesome program that we have shared with family and friends,” Alex said. “I’ve really enjoyed being a part of it. Hopefully, this is just a break and I can start it back up in a few years once I’m out of college.

“Next year I am happy to be partnering up with Spyder [Steve] Akright and the Akright Auto team,” he said. “Our plan is to have two cars. Spyder will run one car and I will run the other. We won’t run every show, but we will try to race as many nights as we can. I would like to thank him for the opportunity and I’m excited to see what we can do next season.”

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

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

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

 

2021 Pokorski Motorsports

Final Statistics 

Total Events – 29

MSA events – 29

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 1

Top Five A Main Finishes – 2

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 7

Heat Race Victories – 3

Final MSA Points Finish – 14th

Final PDTR 360 Sprint Car Points Finish – 15th

November 19, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Midwest Sprint Car Association honors champion Arenz, standout achievements at 2021 banquet

Travis Arenz (middle) of Sheboygan Falls, Wis. and the members of his pit crew celebrated the team’s first Midwest Sprint Car Association championship, during the 2021 MSA Awards Banquet held Saturday, Nov. 13 at The Village at 170 in Kohler, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) November 13, 2021 – After negotiating an unusual, COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, it was back to business as usual for the Akright Auto Parts of Sheboygan Falls Midwest Sprint Car Association as its drivers and teams completed a full 2021 campaign, which drew to an official conclusion with the 23rd annual MSA Awards Banquet held Saturday, Nov. 13 at The Village at 170 in Kohler, Wis.

A total of 149 MSA supporters gathered to honor first-time MSA champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls, along with 18 other point fund-eligible drivers, who competed in at least 85 percent of the 27 points races that comprised the 2021 schedule.

MSA President Sheila Leamer opened the evening’s festivities by providing her reflections on the 2021 MSA season.

“After the shortened season we encountered in 2020 due to COVID-19, I was not sure what to expect in 2021,” Leamer said. “We came into the season with 33 scheduled points races and we wound up losing six to weather to end up with 27 points races. We added two non-points races at the end of the season at Beaver Dam Raceway to bring our total number of the scheduled race nights to 35 for the 2021 season.

“We had 19 drivers compete in 85 percent of the races to earn eligibility for the point fund,” she said. “We also had 11 drivers compete in 100 percent of our 2021 races. We averaged 29 cars per night with a high of 37 cars on May 29th. We had car counts of 30 more in 15 events this season. A total of 10 different drivers earned A-main victories and also as a series, we completed 1,920 green flag laps during the 2021 season. I would like to thank all of the drivers, car owners and crews for their support this year.”

After sharing her memories of longtime MSA flag man Dave Deicher, who passed away in May, Leamer also spoke about the strong support MSA received throughout the 2021 from those behind the scenes.

Katelyn Krebsbach (left) of Cascade, Wis. earned the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Rookie of the Year Award at the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Awards Banquet held Saturday, Nov. 13 at The Village at 170 in Kohler, Wis. Also pictured is Kristine Hartmann of Kristine Hartmann Pleasantview Realty.  – RC Custom Design photo

“We are proud to have one of the strongest Sprint Car groups in the nation thanks to the support of so many people,” Leamer said. “I would like to thank all of the fans for their support, along with the MSA sponsors, board members and safety team. Our 2022 schedule is beginning to take shape as we have started the process of contacting tracks. I would like to congratulate all of the drivers for a season well done. I am looking forward to an awesome 2022 season.”

Leamer announced that the 2022 MSA Board of Directors will remain intact with Sheila Leamer serving as president, Kurt Davis as vice president, along with board members Dan Mayer, Dan Teunissen, Todd Wondra, Tony Wondra and Scott Bader.

MSA Announcer George Baumman, who served as the master of ceremonies during the program, provided some perspective on the evolution of Winged 360 Sprint Car Racing in Southeastern Wisconsin.

“Back in 1995, Gary Schlafer, the owner of Beaver Dam Raceway, came up with the idea for a weekly 360 Sprint Car class,” Baumann said. “He is the reason this class happened in the first place. The first 360 Sprint Car race took place on April 17, 1996 at Beaver Dam Raceway. Dean Erfurth won that very first A main and the first season of 360 Sprint Car racing included a total of 14 nights, including 12 points shows.

“The MSA was formed three years later in 1999 and K.J. Skelton won the first MSA-sanctioned A main, which was held at the Dodge County Fairgrounds,” he said. “The MSA has come a long way since then thanks to the support of many people past and present.”

Baumann then distributed Supporting Company Awards to 2021 MSA Series sponsor Akright Auto, along with R&H Racing Equipment and Mayer Automotive.

Jack Vanderboom of Dousman, Wis. was recognized with the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Most Improved Driver Award at the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Awards Banquet held Saturday, Nov. 13 at The Village at 170 in Kohler, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

The 11 drivers competing in all 27 MSA races in 2021 were recognized with 100 Percent Attendance Awards, including Travis Arenz (first), Ben Schmidt (second), Lance Fassbender (third), Justin Miller (fourth), Will Gerrits (fifth), Tim Haddy (sixth), Adam Miller (ninth), Bill Taylor (12th), Tyler Brabant (13th), Pokorski Motorsports-Alex and Paul Pokorski (14th) and Katelyn Krebsbach (20th).

Also honored were the eight MSA drivers earning 85 percent participation during the 2021 campaign, including Kurt Davis (seventh, 24 races), Justin Erickson (10th, 25 races), Jack Vanderboom (11th, 25 races), Tony Wondra (15th, 25 races), Tyler Tischendorf (16th, 25 races), Matt Rechek (17th, 24 races), Blake Wondra (18th, 25 races) and Preston Ruh (22nd, 23 races).

MSA Competition Driver Scott Bader acknowledge the efforts of 2021 series staff, including officials Fred DeBlaey, John Metzger, Sheila Leamer, Angela Dulmes, Donna Bader, Lee Glomski, Dan Teunissen, Jerry Priesgen, flag men Steve Crass and Alex Gilhart, announcer George Baumann, photographer, videographer and graphic designer Rob Eisentraut of RC Custom Design, race report writer Jeff Pederson of Pedal Down Promotions and the members of the MSA Safety Team.

“In addition to the MSA staff members that I noted, I would also like to recognize and thank the push truck and wrecker drivers for all that they do to support our racing program,” Bader said. “It is very important not to forget the people that work behind the scenes to make the MSA go. It takes all of these people for the MSA to put on a race.”

Bader also thanked each of the tracks on the 2021 MSA schedule, including The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis, Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis., the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis., Outagamie Speedway Powered by EWSC Racing in Seymour, Wis., Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton, Wis. and Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis.

The first of seven special awards went to Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade, who claimed the 2021 MSA Rookie of the Year Award on the strength of a 20th-place finish in the point standings, which included one top-10 A-main finish.

“I would like to thank all of the drivers in the MSA,” Krebsbach said. “It has been great group of drivers to race with and they’ve all taught me a lot. I would like to thank my mom and dad for the opportunity to race and the crew and sponsors for helping to make it happen.”

Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls, Wis. was honored as the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Hard Charger Award winner at the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Awards Banquet held Saturday, Nov. 13 at The Village at 170 in Kohler, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

The Most Improved Driver Award went to Jack Vanderboom, who finished 11th in the MSA point standings, while earning one A-main victory, three top-five and 13 top-10 A-main finishes to go along with five heat race victories in 25 MSA points events. Vanderboom also claimed a non-points MSA A-main victory at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday, Oct. 2.

“We gained a lot of speed toward the end of the year,” Vanderboom said. “Hopefully, we can continue to build on that for next year. Overall, it has been a very good year for us with a lot of good competition.”

Lance Fassbender claimed the Best Appearing Car and Crew Award for a throwback car design in honor of his late father Fuzzy Fassbender. The Hard Luck Award went to Tyler Brabant of Waupun and the Hard Charger Award was claimed by Travis Arenz, who passed the most cars during the 2021 MSA season.

Beth Meyer of BMG Designs presented the Harry Neitzel MSA Mechanic of the Year Award to Rick Vanderboom and Rick Keller of the Jack Vanderboom-Fast Jack Racing team.

“This award took me totally by surprise,” Rick Vanderboom said. “We have been learning a lot as we have gone along. We are three years into this now and without Rick Lemanski and Scotty Neitzel of R&H Racing Equipment, we wouldn’t be where we are now. We put a lot of work into this.”

“It was an interesting season,” Keller said. “I started racing with Jack when he was 10 years ago. He has grown quite a bit since then. I can’t thank Rick and Scotty at R&H enough for all they do to help us. I have to thank everyone with he MSA too. They are a fun bunch of people to race with.”

Lance Fassbender of Burnett,, Wis. was the recipient of the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Best Appearing Car/Crew Award at the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Awards Banquet held Saturday, Nov. 13 at The Village at 170 in Kohler, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

The final award recipient to take to the podium was 2021 MSA champion Travis Arenz.

Arenz turned in a dominating 2021 season by posting 10 A-main victories, 20 top-five and 24 top-10 A-main showings and eight heat race wins in 27 MSA points events en route to his first MSA title by a 144-point margin over runner-up Ben Schmidt of Plymouth. Arenz also won a non-points MSA A-main event at Beaver Dam Raceway on Friday, Oct. 1 to tallying a total of 11 A-main triumphs during the 2021 season.

In just four full seasons of MSA 360 Sprint Car competition, Arenz has amassed 22 A-main victories to stand in a tie for sixth on the all-time main event victory list with Donny Goeden of Kewaskum.

“Our four years of racing 360 Sprint Cars has been very eventful,” Arenz said. “Many hours of work went into this effort and it is a great accomplishment for us to win a title with the MSA organization. This accomplishment was definitely not done alone as so many people have contributed to this.

“I want to thank all of the crew members, sponsors, supporters, friends, family and fans that contributed,” he said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without all of you. It is a dream come true to be racing a Sprint Car and now to become a champion with the MSA.”

MSA 2021 Banquet trophy and award sponsors included Cupcake Wonders, Krebsbach Construction, Bluemound Express, Mayer Automotive, Don and Lynn Kiel, TNT Motorsports, Randy and Sheila Leamer, Pedal Down Promotions, Butch and Janet Hafemann, BMG Designs, Mark’s Tree Service, RC Custom Design, Kristine Hartmann-Pleasantview Realty and Back 40 Synthetics.

Rick Keller (left), Jack Vanderboom (middle) and Rick Vanderboom (right) of Jack Vanderboom-Fast Jack Racing claimed the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Harry Neitzel Mechanic of the Year Award at the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Awards Banquet held Saturday, Nov. 13 at The Village at 170 in Kohler, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

MSA 2021 contingency product sponsors were R& H Racing Equipment, HRP, Behling, Waldo Oil, American Racer Tires, Boubin Tire, Buege High Performance, Super Shox, Vortex Racing Products, PDTR, Torsion Bar Rating, Afco Shocks, M&W Radius Rods, KSE, Karavan Trailers, Maxim Chassis, Winter Products, FK Rod Ends, Bell, Wilwood, XXX Chassis, Schroeder/PAC, Competition Specialists, J&J Auto Racing, Saldana, Pyrotech, DMI, Schoenfeld, Hilborn, Lane Automotive, Velocity Wings, MRI, Racing Optics, Allstar Performance, Corey Oil, Ultrashield, MPD and Race Bumpers.

Tyler Brabant of Waupun, Wis. picked up the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Hard Luck Award at the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association Awards Banquet held Saturday, Nov. 13 at The Village at 170 in Kohler, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

For more information on the Midwest Sprint Car Association, visit www.msasprints.com.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through a diverse array of promotional strategies and methods, including press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

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

 

November 15, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson