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After 17 seasons, Josh Walter-Torque Racing Sprint Car team rides into sunset

Members of the Torque Racing team took advantage of an opportunity to participate in the Fourth of July parade in Elkhart Lake, Wis. in 2019. – Torque Racing photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) November 12, 2021 – A passion-fueled endeavor that started in 2005 as a dream to race a Sprint Car, which later propelled Josh Walter and his Torque Racing team to the heights of the sport at tracks throughout the state of Wisconsin and beyond, has drawn to a bittersweet conclusion for the tight-knit, hard-working collection of Plymouth, Wis.-based Sprint Car racing enthusiasts.

On the heels of one of the team’s best seasons of 410 Sprint Car competition to date, during which Walter posted five top-10 A-main showings and one top-five main event finish in 12 events, Walter has made the decision to discontinue the racing team that he originally formed with his wife, Stephanie, and several friends in 2005.

“It is definitely sad for us to close down the racing team,” Walter said. “It came down to the fact that we don’t have the time needed to devote to it as a team at this point. I thought we were getting to be pretty fast with the 410, so it is unfortunate to have to end it.”

Despite running a very limited schedule of mainly Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events during the 2021 campaign, Walter and the Torque Racing team made the most of their few opportunities to hit the track.

Walter kicked off the 2021 season in IRA action at Wilmot Speedway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, May 1. He was among 28 IRA 410 Sprint Car drivers to register for the evening’s event on the tight and tricky third-mile clay oval located in the far southern part of Wisconsin on the Kenosha County Fairgrounds.

The Plymouth drive rolled off from the 14^th starting spot in the 30-lap A main event and methodically worked his way up through the field to break into the top-10 and find himself running seventh in the closing stages of the race. After a late caution bunched the field, Walter fell back several spots to finish 12^th.

The following weekend saw Walter and the Torque Racing team venture to the western portion of Wisconsin for an IRA event at the famed Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis.

After qualifying 11^thand placing third in his heat race, Walter started 11^th in the 30-lap main event and endured a slew of caution flags to place 13^th.

The highlight of the 2021 campaign came on Saturday, May 22 when Walter equaled his career-best IRA 410 Sprint Car Series A-main finish at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis.

Josh Walter (12W) is pictured dueling with fellow Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series competitor Dave Uttech (68) during the 2021 season-ending Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 25. – RC Custom Design photo

Walter opened the evening by qualifying 12^th before earning his first IRA heat race victory of the season and placing third in the second IRA dash to roll off sixth in the 30-lap main event. Walter ran inside the top-five throughout the majority of the race and as high as third at one point en route to an IRA career-best fourth-place A-main finish.

A home-track appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. saw Walter compete in a FloRacing All Star Circuit of Champions Presented by Mobil 1 and Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series event on Saturday, June 5.

Walter’s up-and-down night against many of the top Sprint Car drivers in the nation ended with an eighth-place finish in the B main.

The next event for the team saw Walter compete with the top Winged Sprint Car touring series in the world for the sixth time in his six-season 410 Sprint Car racing career as the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series made its annual stop at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, June 19.

After placing fifth in his heat race to earn his second World of Outlaws A-main start, Walter came home 22^nd in the 40-lap main event.

One of Josh Walter’s biggest victories in the seat of the 12W Torque Racing Sprint Car came in Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car action on July 13, 2019 when he captured the 30-lap Remembering Randy Tracy Mid-Season Championship A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

The team then returned home on Thursday, July 1 for a special $5,000-to-win IRA event held in conjunction with the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series weekend at nearby Road America.

After starting 12^th in the 30-lap main event, Walter advanced into the top five in the late going before coming home with a sixth-place showing, which is his best career main event finish in 410 Sprint Car competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

The team’s first IRA doubleheader weekend of action took place on Friday, July 23 at Outagamie Speedway Powered by EWSC Racing in Seymour, Wis. followed by another IRA event at Beaver Dam Raceway on July 24.

Walter’s night ended early at Outagamie Speedway after contact while running seventh in the 30-lap A main forced him to retire from the race.

After some quick overnight work, Walter was back in action the following night at Beaver Dam Raceway where he came home with a solid 11^th-place A-main showing after hovering in and around the top-10 throughout the race.

Walter racked up another top-10 showing in IRA action at the Langlade County Speedway in Antigo, Wis. on Friday, July 30 as he came home seventh in the 20-lap A main on the huge, lightning-fast 3/5^th-mile clay oval.

Walter then capped another IRA doubleheader weekend with another strong showing in the 25^th annual Frank Filskov Memorial at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 31.

Josh Walter is pictured in his first full season behind the wheel of a 360 Sprint Car during the 2006 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

Walter qualified ninth in the 22-car field with a lap of 11.582 seconds around the third-mile clay oval and led every lap of the first IRA dash to start on the pole of the 30-lap main event. Walter paced the first eight laps of the A main before coming home with a solid ninth-place finish.

After taking the month of August off from competition, the team’s season hit a snag in the annual IRA event held during the Sheboygan County Fair at the Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, Sept. 4 as a broken rocker arm ended Walter’s night early in heat race action.

The rocker arm issue forced the team to miss several events during the month of September before it finally returned to action one last time at The Plymouth Dirt Track for the 2021 IRA season finale as part of the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships on Saturday, Sept. 25.

The Torque Racing team closed out its 17-season run by recording a ninth-place finish in the 30-lap IRA headliner.

In all, Walter and the Torque Racing team capped the 2021 season with one top-five A-main finish, five top-10 A-main showings, two heat race wins, four IRA dash appearances and one IRA dash victory in 12 races, including 11 IRA events, on the way to a 17^th-place finish in the final IRA point standings.

Even though the Torque Racing team’s run may be coming to an end, Walter still has the will and desire to compete and would welcome a chance to continue his career behind the wheel of a race car.

“I’d be more than happy with a full or part-time opportunity to drive in any type of race car,” Walter said. “I’m always looking for a new experience and opportunity. I’d love to get back in a 410 or 360 Sprint Car and would love to get an opportunity in a Midget.”

During his highly successful 12-season Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car career, Walter collected six A-main victories, including a career-best third-place finish in the 2018 MSA point standings, along with a third-place showing in the 2014 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car points race.

One of the standout memories of Walter’s 410 Sprint Car career was the team’s entry in the Knoxville Nationals at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa in 2017.

Josh Walter can be reached by email at sprint.racer12w@gmail.com or via the Torque Racing Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TorqueRacing12w.

The members of Walter’s Torque Racing team are Stephanie Walter (car owner), Tiffany Vorpagel (team manager), Chad DeKarske (crew chief), Justin Vorpagel (car chief) and mechanics Andy Rieth, Noah Koepke and Scott Allmann.

The Torque Racing sponsors for the 2021 season are Dlapa Construction, Brittany’s School of Dance, Sheboygan by Owner, SCA Inc., Cow Pies, Full Throttle Ink, Lakehouse Bar & Grill, Home Transitions, Oostburg Concrete Products, 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 Josh Walter-Torque Racing

Final Statistics

Total Events – 12

IRA events – 11

World of Outlaws events – 1

All Star events – 1

A-Main Victories – 0

B-Main Victories – 0

Top Five A-Main Finishes – 1

Top 10 A-Main Finishes – 5

Heat Race Victories – 2

Dash Victories – 1

Dash Appearances – 4

IRA Points Finish – 17^th

November 12, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Book cover revealed for Verdegan’s new book ‘5-10-32 – McBride, Parker, Anvelink’

Pedal Down Promotions’ 12th book publication ‘5-10-32 – McBride, Parker, Anvelink’ by Joe Verdegan is set to launch Saturday, Dec. 4 at Lenny’s Tap in Green Bay from noon to 3 p.m.

Pedal Down Promotions to publish 12th book Saturday, Dec. 4

(Dunbar, WI) November 5 – Motorsports author and Green Bay native Joe Verdegan has revealed the cover for his seventh book titled “5-10-32 – McBride, Parker & Anvelink.”

The book features Northeastern Wisconsin dirt late model legends M.J. McBride of Shawano, Pete Parker of Kaukauna and Terry Anvelink of Navarino. The book is being published by Pedal Down Promotions in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and the back and front covers were designed by Kathy Roehrig with assists coming from Bryan “Woody” Wodack from Woody’s Signs and John Deaton and the Toon Factory.

Photo credits on the front cover belong to Andy Springborn and the late Bob Bergeron, a longtime motorsports enthusiast.

The book is currently in production at Seaway Printing in Green Bay. The softcover book contains 160 pages, 32 chapters and includes dozens of color and black and white photos illustrating the colorful careers of the trio of drivers.

Books can be pre-ordered at joeverdegan.com with shipping taking place beginning the week of December 6.

“This will ensure folks can receive their books in time for the holidays,” Verdegan said.

For folks who’d prefer to pick up their copy in person and save on shipping costs, Verdegan will tour Northeastern Wisconsin with six dates in December spread amongst Brown, Shawano and Outagamie Counties.

2021 “5-10-32 MCBRIDE, PARKER & ANVELINK” HOLIDAY BOOK TOUR

Saturday, December 4 Lenny’s Tap, Green Bay, WI noon to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, December 7 Lighthouse Bar & Grill, Shawano, WI 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday December 9 Peppermint Josie’s, Navarino, WI 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 11 Hustle Inn, Seymour, WI noon to 3 p.m.

Thursday, December 16 Club 117, Bonduel, WI 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 18 Bosse’s News Stand, Green Bay, WI 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

November 5, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Girls STEM Day Conference moves to Sheboygan South High School

The Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan County Foundation have announced that the location for the fourth annual Girls STEM Day Conference has moved to Sheboygan South High School on Saturday, Nov. 6.

SHEBOYGAN, WIS. (October 27, 2021) – The Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan County Foundation have shifted the location of the fourth annual Girls STEM Day Conference to Sheboygan South High School on Saturday, Nov. 6.

The event, which is co-chaired annually by Sheboygan Branch AAUW members Dolcye Johnson and Allyson Olivier, is designed to introduce and engage sixth through ninth-grade girls to the wonders of STEM by showcasing the vital and continuously evolving core fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

The conference is still scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. as originally planned and will feature 10 different STEM-inspiring sessions, along with a presentation from keynote speaker UW-Green Bay Resch School of Engineering Professor Dr. Patricia A. Terry from 8:30-9 a.m.

“The UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus recently informed us that we will not be able to hold the event there,” Olivier said. “The Sheboygan Area School District and Superintendent Seth Harvatine have been extremely supportive of this event and arranging the change in venue to Sheboygan South High School.”

In accordance with COVID-19 safety protocols, all Girls STEM Day Conference attendees will be required to wear a mask during the event.

The conference features an impressive list of STEM field experts, including Terry, who is the leader of UW-Green Bay’s Resch College of Engineering, which includes course work in engineering, computer science and mathematics. Terry joined the UW-Green Bay Department of Applied and Natural Sciences faculty for the fall 1995 semester and earned tenure at the university in 2001 before attaining full professor distinction in 2011. In August 2018, Terry earned the UW-Green Bay Founders Award for Institutional Development for her work in creating engineering programs, campus leadership and dedication to shared governance.

Conference participants will have the opportunity to choose three of 11 available 45-minute STEM sessions running between 9:15 a.m. and noon.

“We have a wonderful group of expert presenters, who are working in these STEM fields with many years of experience,” Johnson said. “We have middle school and high school teachers, professors, police officers, veterinarians, engineers, product managers and developers and business owners that will be leading the STEM sessions.”

Two parent sessions will also be featured. Representatives from the Sheboygan Area School District social worker team will present a parent session titled “Impacts of COVID on the Mental Wellness of Middle School Students” from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the other parent session titled “College Prep 101,” which will be led by UW-Green Bay staff, runs from 10:30-12 p.m.

The registration fee is $10 per student, which includes instruction and supplies. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 29.

Sheboygan South High School is located at 1240 Washington Ave. in Sheboygan, Wis.

Sponsors for this year’s event include Benninghaus Family Foundation, Brotz Family Foundation, Grover Family Foundation, Feingold Family Foundation, H.C. Denison, Nemschoff Chairs Inc., Masters Gallery Foods and Polyfab Corp.

In-kind donors are Festival Foods, JoAnn Gadicke, Judy Hangartner, Johnston’s Bakery, Masters Gallery Foods, Old Wisconsin Sausage Co. and Z Spot Expresso & Coffee.

Founded in 1881, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity by empowering women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.

The Sheboygan Branch of AAUW grants scholarships each year to non-traditional women students. In 2021, Sheboygan Branch of AAUW distributed four $2,500 scholarships to local non-traditional women working toward a college degree.

Now in its 43^rd year, the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan County Foundation supports the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus by providing resources to ensure its success and excellence. The foundation works to enhance the university’s image within the community, broaden its base of financial support and communicate to the public its responsiveness to local needs.

To register or for more information on the Girls STEM Day Conference, visit http://urezsignup.com/event/register.php?event_id=491121 or call Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Conference Co-Chair Dolcye Johnson at 920-458-5819.

October 27, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Pokorski Motorsports closes out 29-year run strong at Beaver Dam Raceway, forges future plans

Alex Pokorski posted a career-best fourth-place finish in the 2021 season-ending 25-lap Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, Oct. 2. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) October 5, 2021 – After 29 years of open-wheel racing competition on dirt tracks throughout the state of Wisconsin, the Pokorski Motorsports wrapped up its highly successful tenure as a racing team with a pair of strong performances, during a non-points Midwest Sprint Car Association doubleheader weekend of action at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. Friday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 2.

The first half of the two-night event, which was contested as part of the Wingless Nationals featuring the Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint Car Series, saw 29-year veteran Paul Pokorski step into the seat of the No. 4 Pokorski Motorsports car with an impressive field of 28 MSA 360 Sprint Cars on hand.

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, opened the night by qualifying 10^th with a lap of 13.348 seconds.

Pokorski was scheduled to start from the pole of the first 10-lap MSA heat race. However, the team was penalized to the rear of the field at the start after being late to the staging area.

After starting seventh, Pokorski worked his way past Josh Teunissen on lap 8 and Tyler Brabant on the final lap to finish fifth and earn a spot in the A main based on the MSA’s heat race passing points formula.

Pokorski lined up 13^th in the 25-lap MSA A main and rode in the 13^th spot on the fast and tacky track surface until a caution flag appeared on lap 11 when Tyler Tischendorf and Bill Taylor collided along the front stretch.

On the restart, Lance Fassbender flipped in turn two after contact with Matt Rechek and Tyler Davis. During the incident, Pokorski made contact with Tim Haddy, which resulted in a flat right rear tire on Pokorski’s car.

After going to the work area to change the flat tire, Pokorski restarted 12^th as the final car on the lead lap. The West Bend driver went to work over the final 14 laps to move past Jason Johnson for 11^th on lap 13 before working around Scott Conger, Nick Daywalt and Katelyn Krebsbach in the closing laps en route to a personal season-best eighth-place A-main finish in a race won by Travis Arenz.

Paul Pokorski closed out his 29-year tenure as a driver for Pokorski Motorsports with a personal season-best eighth-place finish in the 2021 season-ending 25-lap Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Oct. 1. – RC Custom Design photo

“Friday night was okay,” Pokorski said. “The car was a little tight, and we kept working on it. I was reasonably happy with the eighth-place result given we had to make a trip to the work area with the flat right rear. We made some pretty significant changes overnight to try and help Alex on Saturday and the changes seemed to work.”

On Saturday, Oct. 2, Alex Pokorski took another turn at the wheel of the Pokorski Motorsports car to close out the 2021 MSA campaign.

With 21 MSA 360 Sprint Cars on hand, Alex qualified fourth with a lap of 13.273 seconds before lining up second in the second 10-lap MSA heat race. Alex settled into second place on the opening lap and mainly rode the cushion of the well-manicured track surface en route to a second-place showing.

After starting fifth in the season-ending 25-lap A main, Alex fell back to seventh in the early going. On lap 5, Alex worked the high line to move past Donny Goeden to take sixth.

One lap later, Alex powered around Jordan Paulsen with a high move in turn two to take over fifth. After a red flag appeared on lap 8 for a flip involving Tim Haddy, Alex restarted fourth and he held the fourth position throughout the final 17 laps to record his career-best MSA finish and second top-five A-main showing of the 2021 season in a race won by Jack Vanderboom.

“The crew did a great job to make the car fast the whole night and I was able to search around and find what lines worked best,” Alex said. “The track in the feature was a lot of fun to race on and I’m happy to close off the year on a high.”

Paul was also pleased with Alex’s performance on Saturday night.

“We are very proud of Alex and how well he did all year and to finish the year with a career-best finish is pretty fantastic,” Paul said. “It was a great last weekend for racing. We had great weather and good results for us.”

Although Pokorski Motorsports may be ending in its original form, that doesn’t mean Alex, Paul and the members of the Pokorski Motorsports crew won’t be actively engaged in 360 Sprint Car racing in 2022.

“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 very 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.”

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

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

Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Novak’s Service Center

Pokorski Motorsports would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 49^th year in business in 2021.

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

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

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

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

For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

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 – 14^th

Final PDTR 360 Sprint Car Points Finish – 15^th

October 4, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Girls STEM Day Conference to return to UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus

The fourth annual Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan County Foundation Girls STEM Day Conference is set to take place Saturday, Nov. 6, at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus, located at 1 University Drive in Sheboygan, Wis.

SHEBOYGAN, WIS. (October 4, 2021) – After a one-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has once again teamed up with the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan County Foundation to hold the fourth annual Girls STEM Day Conference Saturday, Nov. 6, at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus, located at 1 University Drive in Sheboygan, Wis.

The popular event, which is co-chaired annually by Sheboygan Branch AAUW members Dolcye Johnson and Allyson Olivier, is designed to introduce and engage sixth through ninth-grade girls to the wonders of STEM by showcasing the vital and continuously evolving core fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

The conference, which runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., features 11 different STEM-inspiring sessions, along with a presentation from keynote speaker UW-Green Bay Resch School of Engineering Professor Dr. Patricia A. Terry from 8:30-9 a.m.

In accordance with COVID-19 safety protocols, all Girls STEM Day Conference attendees will be required to wear a mask during the event.

The Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has once again teamed up with the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan County Foundation for the fourth annual Girls STEM Day Conference Saturday, Nov. 6, at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus, located at 1 University Drive in Sheboygan, Wis.

“Our goal with the Girls STEM Day Conference is to encourage young girls to discover, explore and learn from STEM field experts in a wide range of specialty areas related to careers in science, technology, engineering and math,” Johnson said. “Since 2006, AAUW has taken on an initiative to empower girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. This initiative has taken several forms on a national level. Here in Sheboygan County, we are doing it through this conference.

“We started the Girls STEM Day Conference four years ago in 2017 and 94 girls attended our last event in 2019,” Olivier said. “Our goal is 100 girls this year. This year we will again offer a keynote speech and the girls can choose three out of 11 hands-on STEM-based sessions.”

UW-Green Bay Resch School of Engineering Professor Dr. Patricia A. Terry will serve as the keynote speaker during the fourth annual Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women and University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan County Foundation Girls STEM Day Conference at the UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus in Sheboygan, Wis. on Saturday, Nov. 6.

Conference participants will have the opportunity to choose three of 11 available 45-minute STEM sessions running between 9:15 a.m. and noon.

The STEM sessions over a diverse range of topics including architectural design (Architecture – Design Slam presented by Kurt Davis of Abacus Architects, Emma Gill and Tonya Dittman of Performa Inc.), computer software design (Hello World presented by Laura Lienau, software engineer manager), drone photography (Drone Photography and product development presented by Michael Olivier, professional drone photographer), robotics (Robotics Challenge presented by John Papenheim, owner of roboticsisfun.com), veterinary science (A Look Inside the Biovine Hide presented by Dr. Ellen Hooker, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture veterinarian), forensic science (Forensic Science presented by Sheboygan Police Officer Kehoe), DNA science (What is DNA? presented by Gina Macek of MilliporeSigma), applied chemistry (Chem Demons presented by UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan County Professor James Kabrhal), food science (Favor the Flavor presented by R&D Associate Scientist Becca Stayner and Jane Kettler, Johnsonville environmental leader), the science of color and appearance (The Science of Color presented by Kohler Co. staff members Jennifer Tarplee, Stephanie Soendker, Rachel Feldmann and Katerina Revelis) and hydroponic gardens (Hydroponics presented by Plymouth High School agriscience teacher Tracy Heinbuch).

“The presenters are genuinely happy to teach these sessions and the girls are so eager to learn,” she said. “It is fun to witness all the excitement that these sessions generate. The best thing is that they are all hands-on too. The girls actually get to experience what it is like to do these types of careers. Four of the sessions covering Architecture – Design Slam, Hydroponics, The Science of Color and Favor the Flavor – are new for this year.”

The fourth annual Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women and University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Foundation Girls STEM Day Conference is slated to take place at the UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus in Sheboygan, Wis. on Saturday, Nov. 6.

The registration fee is $10 per student, which includes instruction and supplies. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 29.

Sponsors for this year’s event include Benninghaus Family Foundation, Grover Family Foundation, Feingold Family Foundation, H.C. Denison, Nemschoff Chairs Inc., Masters Gallery Foods and Polyfab Corp.

In-kind donors are JoAnn Gadicke, Judy Hangartner, Johnston’s Bakery, Masters Gallery Foods, Old Wisconsin Sausage Co. and Z Spot Expresso & Coffee.

Founded in 1881, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity by empowering women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.

October 4, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Vanderboom closes 2021 MSA campaign with Beaver Dam Raceway triumph

Jack Vanderboom of Dousman held off 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls to claim his second MSA A-main victory in the 25-lap season-ending headliner at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, Oct. 2. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) October 2, 2021 – The 2021 Akright Auto Parts of Sheboygan Falls Midwest Sprint Car Association season fittingly ended very much like it began with a thrilling duel for the lead in heavy lapped traffic in the closing laps of the 25-lap A main at the birthplace of Winged 360 Sprint Car racing in southeastern Wisconsin – Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam. Wis. on Saturday, Oct. 2.

While the 2021 MSA season opener on April 17 saw 2011 series champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth nip 2021 MSA and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls in dense lapped traffic to steal the victory on the final lap, the non-points MSA season finale main event saw Jack Vanderboom of Dousman outduel Arenz in the closing laps to claim his second career 25-lap MSA triumph in the 2021 curtain closer.

Vanderboom, who started on the outside of the front row, outpowered polesitter Tim Haddy of Waupun to grab the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap MSA headliner.

On lap 2, Arenz moved in from his fourth starting spot to seize second in the running order on the well-manicured, multi-grove Beaver Dam Raceway track surface. On lap 6, Vanderboom hit lapped traffic, which allowed Arenz to cut the gap along the high line of the third-mile clay oval.

On lap 7, Arenz dove low to briefly take the lead in turn two. However, Vanderboom fended off Arenz’s charge to retain the lead heading down the back stretch.

One lap later, a red flag appeared when Tim Haddy flipped in turn two. Five-time MSA champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, who started seventh, used a strong restart to slip past Arenz for second on lap 8.

By lap 13, Vanderboom again caught the back of the field and went to work slicing his way through slower traffic. Arenz dialed up his efforts in thick lapped traffic over the final five laps as he regained second from Davis on lap 21 and rapidly closed in on the leader along the cushion.

Arenz advanced to within striking distance on lap 24 and remained close to Vanderboom throughout the final lap, but he was unable to draw near enough to set up a pass attempt as Vanderboom went on to claim his second career MSA A-main triumph and his second main event victory in the span of a week.

Arenz hung on to take second, Davis was third, second-year driver Alex Pokorski of West Bend, who started fifth, recorded a career-best fourth-place showing in the last-ever MSA event for his Pokorski Motorsports team and three-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Donny Goeden of Kewaskum returned to the seat of an MSA Sprint Car for the first time in five years to record a fifth-place finish behind the wheel of the No. 44 car normally driven by Jason Johnson, after starting sixth.

The 27^th full MSA 360 Sprint Car Series racing event of the 2021 campaign, which was held as the second half of the two-day Wingless Nationals event, featured 21 MSA 360 Sprint Cars for the series’ fifth and final appearance of the season at the third-mile Beaver Dam Raceway facility.

Travis Arenz turned in the fastest MSA qualifying lap with a time of 13.026 seconds.

MSA heat race victories went to Jack Vanderboom, Tim Haddy and Travis Arenz.

For updates on the 2022 Midwest Sprint Car Association season, visit www.msasprints.com or check out the Midwest Sprint Car Association Facebook page.

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

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

Midwest Sprint Car Association

Beaver Dam Raceway

Beaver Dam, Wis.

October 2, 2021

QUALIFYING

1, Travis Arenz 13.026 2, Kevin Karnitz 13.077 3, Lance Fassbender 13.150 4, Donny Goeden 13.179 5, Tony Wondra 13.209 6, Alex Pokorski 13.273 7, Tim Haddy 13.283 8, Will Gerrits 13.299 9, Justin Miller 13.354 10, Jack Vanderboom 13.463 11, Kurt Davis 13.469 12, Katelyn Krebsbach 13.488 13, Clayton Rossmann 13.546 14, Bill Taylor 13.555 15, Dylan Winkel 13.621 16, Tyler Davis 13.641 17, Cole Possi 13.678 18, Jordan Paulsen 13.871 19, Josh Teunissen 14.073 20, Jeremy Hunt 14.180 21, Preston Ruh 14.193.

HEAT 1

1, Jack Vanderboom 2, Jordan Paulsen 3, Kurt Davis 4, Katelyn Krebsbach 5, Preston Ruh 6, Josh Teunissen 7, Jeremy Hunt.

HEAT 2

1, Tim Haddy 2, Alex Pokorski 3, Justin Miller 4, Tony Wondra 5, Lance Fassbender 6, Bill Taylor 7, Dylan Winkel.

HEAT 3

1, Travis Arenz 2, Donny Goeden 3, Kevin Karnitz 4, Tyler Davis 5, Clayton Rossmann 6, Will Gerrits 7, Cole Possi.

A MAIN

1, Jack Vanderboom 2, Travis Arenz 3, Kurt Davis 4, Alex Pokorski 5, Donny Goeden 6, Kevin Karnitz 7, Jordan Paulsen 8, Tyler Davis 9, Will Gerrits 10, Justin Miller 11, Tony Wondra 12, Cole Possi 13, Bill Taylor 14, Katelyn Krebsbach 15, Dylan Winkel 16, Lance Fassbender 17, Josh Teunissen 18, Clayton Rossmann 19, Jeremy Hunt 20, Preston Ruh 21, Tim Haddy.

October 3, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Arenz storms to 11th MSA triumph of 2021 campaign

2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls notched his 11th MSA A-main victory of the 2021 campaign and 22nd career MSA triumph in a non-points 25-lap 360 Sprint Car main event at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Oct. 1. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) October 1, 2021 – After wrapping up his first career Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car season points titles last week, Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls continued his dream season by capturing his 11^th A-main victory of the 2021 season in a non-points 25-lap Akright Auto Parts of Sheboygan Falls MSA main event Friday, Oct. 1 at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis.

The 26^th MSA 360 Sprint Car Series racing event of the 2021 campaign, which was held as the first half of the two-day Wingless Nationals event, drew a solid field of 28 MSA 360 Sprint Cars for the series’ fourth appearance of the season at the third-mile Beaver Dam Raceway facility.

Outside front row starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend powered past polesitter Tyler Davis of Franklin to grab the lead on the opening lap of the MSA headliner.

On lap 2, fourth starter Travis Arenz worked the outside groove of the lightning fast and tacky track surface to assume the top spot existing turn two. Arenz wasted no time in building up a half-straightaway lead over Karnitz by lap 5.

One lap later, Arenz caught the back of the field and began the process of slicing his way through slower traffic. As Arenz extended his advantage in dense lapped traffic, the first of two caution flags appeared on lap 11 when Tyler Tischendorf of Waupaca and Bill Taylor of Boltonville collided along the front stretch.

On the restart, Arenz and Karnitz were separated by three lapped cars mixed in between the two front runners before the red flag appeared on the ensuing restart when 2005 MSA champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett flipped in turn two, during an incident which also resulted in damage to the cars of Tyler Davis and Beaver Dam’s Matt Rechek.

The incident also forced 2014 MSA Masters Series champion Paul Pokorski of West Bend and Jason Johnson of Campbellsport to spend time in the work area before returning to the track.

After the restart, it was all smooth sailing for Arenz, who again bolted away from Karnitz en route to his 22^nd career MSA A-main victory to move into a tie for sixth on the all-time MSA victory list with Donny Goeden in just his fourth full season of 360 Sprint Car competition.

The win was also Arenz’s third consecutive MSA A-main triumph at Beaver Dam Raceway.

Karnitz placed second, five-time MSA champion and all-time MSA A-main victory leader Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee placed third, after starting eighth, Will Gerrits of Waupun moved up from his seventh starting spot to take fourth and 16^th starter Tim Haddy of Waupun rounded out the top five.

Nick Daywalt of Hubertus turned in the fastest MSA qualifying lap with a time of 13.060 seconds. Daywalt was also victorious in the 15-lap MSA B main.

MSA heat race victories went to Kurt Davis, Will Gerrits, Justin Miller of Plymouth and Lance Fassbender.

The MSA is scheduled to close out the 2021 season with the second half of the Wingless Nationals doubleheader on Saturday, Oct. 2 at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis.

Spectator gates will open at 4:30 p.m. with racing to begin at 6:30 p.m.

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

Midwest Sprint Car Association

Beaver Dam Raceway

Beaver Dam, Wis.

October 1, 2021

QUALIFYING

1, Nick Daywalt 13.060 2, Matt Rechek 13.087 3, Tyler Tischendorf 13.163 4, Kevin Karnitz 13.225 5, Tyler Davis 13.263 6, Tim Haddy 13.283 7, Kurt Davis 13.307 8, Travis Arenz 13.314 9, Jason Johnson 13.321 10, Paul Pokorski 13.348 11, Will Gerrits 13.359 12, Justin Miller 13.733 13, Jack Vanderboom 13.379 14, Lance Fassbender 13.426 15, Bill Taylor 13.442 16, Tony Wondra 13.466 17, Scott Conger 13.520 18, Cole Possi 13.628 19, Blake Wondra 13.702 20, Mike Decker 13.723 21, Tyler Brabant 13.762 22, Tristan Koenings 13.813 23, Dylan Winkel 13.890 24, Josh Teunissen 13.919 25, Doug Pietz 14.017 26, Katelyn Krebsbach 14.076 27, Chris Larson 14.155 28, Jeremy Hunt 14.439.

HEAT 1

1, Kurt Davis 2, Jason Johnson 3, Tyler Davis 4, Dylan Winkel 5, Paul Pokorski 6, Tyler Brabant 7, Josh Teunissen.

HEAT 2

1, Will Gerrits 2, Bill Taylor 3, Matt Rechek 4, Tim Haddy 5, Scott Conger 6, Blake Wondra 7, Cole Possi.

HEAT 3

1, Justin Miller 2, Jack Vanderboom 3, Tyler Tischendorf 4, Tony Wondra 5, Nick Daywalt 6, Mike Decker 7, Doug Pietz.

HEAT 4

1, Lance Fassbender 2, Travis Arenz 3, Kevin Karnitz 4, Katelyn Krebsbach 5, Chris Larson 6, Jeremy Hunt 7, Tristan Koenings.

B MAIN

1, Nick Daywalt 2, Tyler Brabant 3, Scott Conger 4, Mike Decker 5, Dylan Winkel 6, Josh Teunissen 7, Cole Possi 8, Chris Larson 9, Blake Wondra 10, Jeremy Hunt 11, Doug Pietz 12, Tristan Koenings.

A MAIN

1, Travis Arenz 2, Kevin Karnitz 3, Kurt Davis 4, Will Gerrits 5, Tim Haddy 6, Jack Vanderboom 7, Justin Miller 8, Paul Pokorski 9, Nick Daywalt 10, Katelyn Krebsbach 11, Jason Johnson 12, Scott Conger 13, Tony Wondra 14, Tyler Brabant 15, Mike Decker 16, Josh Teunissen 17, Dylan Winkel 18, Tyler Tischendorf 19, Tyler Davis 20, Matt Rechek 21, Lance Fassbender 22, Bill Taylor.

October 2, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Walter caps 2021 campaign with top-10 IRA showing at Plymouth Dirt Track

Josh Walter closed out the 2021 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series season with a ninth-place showing in the 30-lap IRA main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 29, 2021 – Following an unplanned three-week break to iron out a mechanical issue, Josh Walter and the Torque Racing team returned to action to notch a top-10 A-main showing in the 2021 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series season finale, which was part of the fourth annual Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Walter opened the 2021 IRA curtain closer by turning in the 15^th fastest qualifying lap in the 25-car field with a circuit of 11.484 seconds.

The 17^th-year Sprint Car driver then lined up fifth in the first 10-lap IRA heat race before dropping back to sixth on lap 2 when Hunter Custer slipped past. Walter then battled back to work his way back around Custer in turn three on lap 4 before passing Wayne Modjeski exiting turn four on lap 8 to secure a fourth-place finish.

The heat race finish gave Walter the 14^th starting spot in the 30-lap IRA main event. After moving around Robbie Pribnow into 13^th on lap 2 Walter worked primarily the high groove of the well-manicured third-mile clay oval to power around Wayne Modjeski into 12^th on lap 10.

After the first of two caution flags appeared on lap 16, Walter continued to ride in the 12^th position before moving into 11^th on lap 16 and 10^th on lap 23 when he shot past the slowing car of Blake Nimee.

The second caution came out on lap 28 when Nimee spun to a stop in turn two. Walter used a strong restart to edge past Scotty Neitzel on the final lap en route to a ninth-place finish in a race won by Oklahoma’s Noah Gass.

“We had planned to do a lot of racing in September, but we broke a rocker arm during the last IRA race at Plymouth during the fair,” Walter said. “It took a little longer to get the part, so we had to miss a few races we had planned on running.

“It was good to get back out on the track and put together a pretty decent, clean night to close out the season,” he said. “I have to thank everyone that supported us throughout the season.”

Walter and the Torque Racing team closed the 2021 season with one top-five A-main finish, five top-10 A-main showings, two heat race wins, four IRA dash appearances and one IRA dash victory in 12 races, including 11 IRA events, on the way to a 17^th-place finish in the final IRA point standings

The Torque Racing team had planned to compete in the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Fuzzy Fassbender, Harry Neitzel, Rick Schmidt Tribute event on Friday, Sept. 24 at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. However, heavy rain showers hit the track late during motor heat, which forced the event to be cancelled.

Torque Racing sponsors for the 2021 season include Dlapa Construction, Brittany’s School of Dance, Sheboygan by Owner, SCA Inc., Cow Pies, Full Throttle Ink, Lakehouse Bar & Grill, Home Transitions, Oostburg Concrete Products, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions

Stay tuned to the Torque Racing Facebook and Twitter pages for schedule changes and up-to-date information.

Torque Racing Sponsor Showcase – Dlapa Construction

Josh Walter-Torque Racing is pleased to welcome Dlapa Construction of Cedar Grove, Wis. on board as a sponsor for the 2021 racing season.

Established in 2006, Dlapa Construction provides a wide range of concrete and masonry needs, serving both home and business owners throughout the state of Wisconsin.

Dlapa Construction specializes in driveways, patios, sidewalks, decorative concrete, foundation repair and commercial parking lots and concrete flat work with a staff that provides quality workmanship with over 25 years of experience in the concrete industry.

Dlapa Construction is located at 720 County Road RR in Cedar Grove, Wis.

For a free estimate, call 920-946-7979, visit www.dlapaconstruction.com or check out Dlapa Construction on Facebook.

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

2021 Josh Walter-Torque Racing

Final Statistics

Total Events – 12

IRA events – 11

World of Outlaws events – 1

All Star events – 1

A-Main Victories – 0

B-Main Victories – 0

Top Five A-Main Finishes – 1

Top 10 A-Main Finishes – 5

Heat Race Victories – 2

Dash Victories – 1

Dash Appearances – 4

IRA Points Finish – 17^th

September 30, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Pokorski Motorsports’ final Plymouth go around nets top-15 MSA result

Paul Pokorski posted a 14th-place finish in the 2021 season finale Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 25. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 28, 2021 – Following a long and successful tenure of regular open-wheel racing competition in the Winged Super Modified and 360 Sprint Car divisions, the Pokorski Motorsports team closed the book on its 29-year run at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis., during the fourth annual Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Paul Pokorski, who began his racing career in 1993 in the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified division, has earned a large chunk of his 46 A-main victories and two EWSC Winged Super Modified championships in 2003 and 2004 at the Plymouth track under the Pokorski Motorsports banner.

Saturday’s 2021 Plymouth Dirt Track season finale saw Pokorski behind the wheel of the familiar blue No. 4 Pokorski Motorsports machine as he joined a field of 31 PDTR 360 Sprint Car drivers on hand for the event.

Pokorski started fourth in the third 10-lap 360 Sprint Car heat race and held the position throughout the event on a lightning-fast track surface on the way to a fourth-place showing.

The 2014 Midwest Sprint Car Association Masters Series champion then started second in the 15-lap B main. Pokorski held the second spot in the early going before Kurt Davis slipped past to move the West Bend driver back to third on lap 11. Pokorski held on to finish third and claim a transfer spot to the 25-lap A main.

After lining up 19^th in the 360 Sprint Car main event, Pokorski advanced to 17^th place on lap 9. After a string of four consecutive caution flags, Pokorski restarted 15^th on lap 18.

Pokorski then moved past Chris Clayton in the closing laps to secure a 14^th-place showing in a race won by Jack Vanderboom.

“The car was really tight in hot laps,” Pokorski said. “We made some changes for the heat race and it helped, but it wasn’t enough to make the car fast or comfortable. We made even bigger changes for the B main and got a little closer. The car was just okay for the feature. Overall, it was a very average result for our team, but a great night of racing and good fall weather for the fans.”

The Pokorski Motorsports team was in attendance for a Midwest Sprint Car Association event honoring Fuzzy Fassbender, Harry Neitzel and Rick Schmidt at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 24. However, persistent rain showers hit the track during engine warm ups, forcing the remainder of the event to be cancelled.

Pokorski Motorsports will hit the track for the final time for a pair of non-points Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car events at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. as part of the Wingless Nationals event, along with Wingless Sprint Cars and Legends, on Friday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 2.

Paul Pokorski will take one more turn in the cockpit of the No. 4 Pokorski Motorsports 360 Sprint Car on Friday, Oct. 1 and Alex Pokorski will be behind the wheel as Pokorski Motorsports ends its 29-year run on Saturday, Oct. 2.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with racing to start at 6:30 p.m. both nights.

Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Novak’s Service Center

Pokorski Motorsports would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 49^th year in business in 2021.

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

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

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

For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

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

2021 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers

Total Events – 27

MSA events – 27

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 1

Top Five A Main Finishes – 1

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 5

Heat Race Victories – 3

Final MSA Points Finish – 14^th

Final PDTR 360 Sprint Car Points Finish – 15^th

2021 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule.

Friday, Oct. 1 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Saturday, Oct. 2 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.

September 28, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Gass, Vanderboom, Cox, Neau earn Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships A-main victories

Noah Gass of Mounds, Okla. claimed his second career 30-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 25. – RC Custom Design photo

Arenz secures PDTR 360 Sprint Car title

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 25, 2021 – With four divisions of Sprint Cars basking in the spotlight, the curtain closed on the 2021 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season Saturday, Sept. 25 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

After claiming his first Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory three weeks ago in his IRA debut at The Plymouth Dirt Track, 18-year-old Mounds, Okla. driver made it two-for-two by notching his second career IRA A-main victory, following a late-race duel with Danny Schlafer of Sussex in the 30-lap headliner.

Jack Vanderboom of Dousman racked up his first career 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasantview Realty 360 Sprint Car A-main victory.

Veteran Tim Cox of Park City, Ill. captured the 20-lap Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint Car Series A main and Mike Neau of Pleasant Prairie raced to victory in the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A main.

Jake Blackhurst of Hanna City, Ill. secured his second career Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Car Series championship.

Jake Blackhurst of Hanna City, Ill. wrapped up his second career Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series championship at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 25. – RC Custom Design photo

Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls nailed down his first career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car titles.

Ryan Marshall of Kansasville wrapped up the 2021 Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint Car Series championship and Nick Petska of Spring Grove, Ill. notched the 2021 IRA Lightning Sprints title.

Outside front row starter Noah Gass outpowered polesitter Jake Blackhurst to take the lead in turn one of the opening lap of the 30-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car Series headliner.

Gass rode the cushion with Blackhurst in tow in the early stages of the race before the leaders caught the rear of the field on lap 5. As Gass got boxed in behind two lapped cars racing side by side, Blackhurst closed the lap on lap 8.

However, Gass eventually worked through the dense lapped traffic to extend his advantage in the ensuing laps. On lap 16, the first of two caution flags appeared when Kyle Schuett of Philo, Ill. spun along the backstretch.

On the restart, sixth starter Danny Schlafer pulled off a slide job to take second from Blackhurst. Four laps later, Gass entered lapped traffic again as Schlafer sight his sets firmly on the lead.

The second caution flag appeared on lap 28 when Blake Nimee of Oswego, Ill. stopped in turn two to set up a two-lap dash to the finish. On the restart, Gass bobbled along the cushion in turn two, which allowed Schlafer to shoot into the lead exiting turn four on lap 29.

After Schlafer led lap 29, Gass recovered to mount a furious charge entering turn one to slip past Schlafer as the two drivers drifted high in turn two on the final lap.

Gass held on to notch his second career IRA 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory and second consecutive IRA triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

“I messed up in turns one and two on the final restart and he [Danny Schlafer] got a run on me and slide me in turns three and four near the end,” Gass said. “I heard someone and I could almost feel that it was coming.

“After that, I just had to drive hard into the next corner,” he said. “It was real close there in turn two. I tried to leave enough room and go into the corner without hitting him.”

Schlafer, who is a two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion and third on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory list with 23, had to settle for second.

“Plymouth did a hell of a job tonight on the track,” Schlafer said. “When I saw how the track was coming around, it reminded me of the track surface we had here at Plymouth during all the 360 races I ran at this place over the years. I knew it was going to be in my wheelhouse. I hope the fans enjoyed it.”

Blackhurst secure his second IRA 410 Sprint Car Series title with a third-place finish.

“I have to thank my car owner Mike Urner for the opportunity to drive this car this year and the crew for all they do to make the car fast,” Blackhurst said. “I never dreamed that I would win one IRA championship, let alone two now.”

Third starter and fast qualifier Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan placed fourth and Steve Meyer of Sheboygan Falls rounded out the top five after starting eighth.

Jack Vanderboom of Dousman collected his first career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 25. – RC Custom Design photo

In the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, Will Gerrits of Waupun grabbed the lead on the opening lap from the pole with outside front row starter Jack Vanderboom following in second.

On lap 3, sixth starter Travis Arenz moved his way into third as the lead trio of Gerrits, Vanderboom and Arenz ran in lock-step formation at the front of the field for the next 12 laps before the first of four caution flags was displayed when Matt Rechek of Beaver Dam spun in turn two on lap 15.

On the restart, contact at the front of the field sent Gerrits spinning to a stop in turn two, while Arenz also spun, but continued on, which brought out the second caution period of the race. By rule, Arenz was sent to the rear of the field, along with Gerrits, on the next restart.

With Gerrits restarting at the rear, Vanderboom assumed the lead over third starter Adam Miller of Plymouth following the restart. The third caution of the race was displayed on lap 17 when 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt, 2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Justin Miller of Plymouth and Justin Erickson of Plymouth spun along the backstretch.

Tim Haddy of Waupun, who started eighth, bolted into second on lap 18 with two-time and defending PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh, who started 15^th, following in third.

The fourth and

Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls nailed down his first career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car championships, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 25. – RC Custom Design photo

final caution flag appeared on lap 18 when Cole Possi of Rock, Mich. slowed along the front stretch with a flat tire.

On the restart, McMullen ducked under Haddy to claim second, but he was unable to mount a serious challenge for the lead as Vanderboom pulled ahead to secure his first career PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main victory.

“I’m at a loss for words right now,” Vanderboom said in victory lane. “The car felt amazing and the crew did a great job to make this happen.”

McMullen finished second, Adam Miller placed third, 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett, who started 12^th, finished fourth and Haddy rounded out the top five.

Arenz recovered from his spin on lap 15 to finish ninth and nail down his initial PDTR 360 Sprint Car championship by a 14-point margin over McMullen.

Allen Hafford of Beach Park, Ill. led the opening lap of the 20-lap Wisconsin WingLESS A main as outside front row starter Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, Ill. slipped into second.

On lap three, fourth starter Tim Cox worked the high groove to move past both Sivia and Hafford to sweep into first place. With Cox leading the way, sixth starter Ryan Marshall and fifth starter Ryan Zielski of Oconomowoc, who entered the race first and second in the Wisconsin WingLESS Series points battle, dueled side by side for several laps until Zielski surged head on lap 7.

Four laps later, Zielski moved into second with Marshall following in third. The first of three caution flags appeared on lap when Nathan Crane of Waukegan, Ill. spun in turn two.

Tim Cox of Park City, Ill. raced to victory in the 20-lap Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint Car Series A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 25. – Casey Bollig photo

On the restart, Zielski moved in to pressure Cox for the top spot. Two more cautions slowed the pace on lap 16 when Dennis Spitz of Lewisburg, Kentucky stopped on the track and Derek Crane of Racine slowed on the track.

Cox maintained the lead on the restart before Zielski mounted a spirit charge in turn two on the final lap. However, Cox held on to earn the Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint Car Series A-main victory.

Zielski had to settle for second, Marshall wrapped up the 2021 Wisconsin WingLESS title with a third-place finish, Sivia wound up fourth and third starter Chris Klemko of Bristol rounded out the top five.

Ron Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill. led early in the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A main before second starter Mark Heinert of Oak Creek assumed the top spot on lap 3.

Ryan Marshall of Kansasville secured the 2021 Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint Car Series title at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 25. – Charlie Lancour photo.

One lap later the lone caution flag of the race appeared when Andrew Kiedrowski of Union Grove spun in turn two. On the restart sixth starter Mike Neau flexed his muscle along the high groove to take second on lap 11.

Two later later, Neau bolted past Heinert and into the lead in turn one. Neau held on over the final seven laps to secure the victory.

Heinert was second, Nick Petska, who started fourth, placed third to wrap up the 2021 IRA Lightning Sprints championship, Tim Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill. placed fourth after starting third and 12^th starter John Kirk of Johnsburg, Ill. finished fifth.

Kevin Karnitz of West Bend won the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main. Mike Sullivan of Burlington captured the 12-lap Wisconsin WingLESS B main.

Scotty Thiel earned IRA 410 Sprint Car Series fast qualifier honors with a fast lap of 11.056 seconds.

The 18^th and final PDTR program of the 2021 season, which was sponsored by Josfo Electric, drew 106 total cars, including 25 IRA 410 Sprint Cars, 31 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 33 Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint Cars and 17 IRA Lightning Sprints.

The new book “70 Years of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” by Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan and George Baumann of Waupun, covering every season of racing at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. from 1950 to 2020 will be available for purchase at every race during the 2021 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.

BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION 410 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Scotty Thiel 11.056 2, Scotty Neitzel 11.150 3, Dylan Cisney 11.153 4, Mike Reinke 11.217 5, Blake Nimee 11.252 6, Wayne Modjeski 11.308 7, Noah Gass 11.343 8, Danny Schlafer 11.344 9, Steve Meyer 11.359 10, Jake Blackhurst 11.380 11, Jordan Goldesberry 11.435 12, Dave Uttech 11.448 13, Robbie Pribnow 11.465 14, Kyle Schuett 11.468 15, Josh Walter 11.484 16, Russel Borland 11.516 17, Jeremy Schultz 11.520 18, Hunter Custer 11.610 19, Jack Berger 11.619 20, Kris Spitz 11.645 21, Jereme Schroeder 11.831 22, Ion Stear 11.958 23, Austin Hartmann 12.365 24, Matt Myers 14.552 25, Ryan Irwin (no time).

HEAT 1

1, Jake Blackhurst 2, Noah Gass 3, Scotty Thiel 4, Robbie Pribnow 5, Mike Reinke 6, Jack Berger 7, Russel Borland 8, Ion Stear 9, Ryan Irwin.

HEAT 2

1, Danny Schlafer 2, Scotty Neitzel 3, Jordan Goldesberry 4, Blake Nimee 5, Jeremy Schultz 6, Kris Spitz 7, Kyle Schuett 8, Austin Hartmann.

HEAT 3

1, Steve Meyer 2, Dylan Cisney 3, Dave Uttech 4, Josh Walter 5, Wayne Modjeski 6, Hunter Custer 7, Jereme Schroeder 8, Matt Myers.

DASH 1

1, Jake Blackhurst 2, Scotty Thiel 3, Mike Reinke 4, Scotty Neitzel 5, Dylan Cisney.

DASH 2

1, Noah Gass 2, Blake Nimee 3, Danny Schlafer 4, Steve Meyer 5, Wayne Modjeski.

A MAIN

1, Noah Gass 2, Danny Schlafer 3, Jake Blackhurst 4, Scotty Thiel 5, Steve Meyer 6, Dylan Cisney 7, Mike Reinke 8, Jordan Goldesberry 9, Josh Walter 10, Scotty Neitzel 11, Jeremy Schultz 12, Dave Uttech 13, Russel Borland 14, Robbie Pribnow 15, Kris Spitz 16, Hunter Custer 17, Jack Berger 18, Kyle Schuett 19, Wayne Modjeski 20, Ion Stear 21, Jereme Schroeder 22, Austin Hartmann 23, Blake Nimee 24, Ryan Irwin 25, Matt Myers.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Travis Arenz 2, Tony Wondra 3, Tim Haddy 4, Katelyn Krebsbach 5, Justin Erickson 6, Chris Clayton 7, Tyler Tischendorf 8, Jeremy Hunt.

HEAT 2

1, Tyler Brabant 2, Jack Vanderboom 3, Justin Miller 4, Matt Rechek 5, Kevin Karnitz 6, Dylan Winkel 7, Preston Ruh 8, Anthony Knierim.

HEAT 3

1, Josh Teunissen 2, Cole Possi 3, Lance Fassbender 4, Paul Pokorski 5, Tyler Davis 6, Nick Daywalt 7, Chris Larson 8, Blake Wondra.

HEAT 4

1, Adam Miller 2, Will Gerrits 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Brandon McMullen 5, Kurt Davis 6, Scott Conger 7, Bill Taylor

B MAIN

1, Kevin Karnitz 2, Kurt Davis 3, Paul Pokorski 4, Justin Erickson 5, Chris Clayton 6, Nick Daywalt 7, Bill Taylor 8, Preston Ruh 9, Chris Larson 10, Tyler Tischendorf 11, Blake Wondra 12, Scott Conger 13, Dylan Winkel 14, Jeremy Hunt 15, Anthony Knierim (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Jack Vanderboom 2, Brandon McMullen 3, Adam Miller 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Tim Haddy 6, Kurt Davis 7, Kevin Karnitz 8, Tyler Brabant 9, Travis Arenz 10, Will Gerrits 11, Justin Erickson 12, Josh Teunissen 13, Tyler Davis 14, Paul Pokorski 15, Chris Clayton 16, Cole Possi 17, Nick Daywalt 18, Ben Schmidt 19, Katelyn Krebsbach 20, Tony Wondra 21, Justin Miller 22, Matt Rechek.

WISCONSIN WINGLESS SPRINT CARS

QUALIFIER 1

1, Nathan Crane 2, Tate Hensley 3, Daniel Graumenz 4, Greg Alt 5, Vince Bartolotta 6, Tom Eller 7, Seth Johnson 8, Shawn Swim 9, Daniel Walldan 10, Billy Hafford 11, Samantha Stefan 12, Ralph Jonson (DNS).

QUALIFIER 2

1, Natalie Klemko 2, Jake Kouba 3, Dennis Spitz 4, Trinity Uttech 5, William Huck 6, Lance Thompson 7, Josh Davidson 8, Bryce Andrews 9, Mike Sullivan 10, Zach Hansen 11, George Gaertner III.

LAST CHANCE QUALIFIER

1, Mike Sullivan 2, Shawn Swim 3, Zach Hansen 4, Tom Eller 5, Daniel Wallden 6, George Gaertner III 7, Lance Thompson 8, Josh Davidson 9, Billy Hafford 10, Ralph Johnson 11, Samantha Stefan 12, Bryce Andrews 13, Seth Johnson.

A MAIN

1, Tim Cox 2, Ryan Zielski 3, Ryan Marshall 4, Jimmy Sivia 5, Chris Klemko 6, Jake Kouba 7, Clayton Rossmann 8, Tate Hensley 9, Jordan Paulsen 10, Allen Hafford 11, Natalie Klemko 12, Daniel Graumenz 13, Rusty Egan 14, Trinity Uttech 15, Mike Sullivan 16, Zach Hansen 17, Nathan Crane 18, Greg Alt 19, Vince Bartolotta 20, Shawn Swim 21, Tom Eller 22, William Huck, 23, Derek Crane 24, Dennis Spitz.

INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION LIGHTNING SPRINTS

QUALIFYING

1, Mike Neau 12.786 2, John Kirk 13.225 3, Nick Petska 13.420 4, Tim Brannam 13.485 5, Mark Heinert 13.489 6, Ron Brannam 13.600 7, Mike Unger 13.621 8, Mark Brannam 13.641 9, Nick Sheridan 13.796 10, C.J. Malueg 13.928 11, Andrew Kiedrowski 14.325 12, Kevin Frederiksen 14.325 13, Mitchell Reich 14.893 14, Xander York 15.060 15, Chris Quilman 15.166 16, Carl Sturt (tome time) 17, Jacob Sturt (no time).

HEAT 1

1, Mark Heinert 2, Mike Neau 3, Mike Unger 4, Nick Petska 5, Nick Sheridan 6, Chris Quilman 7, Andrew Kiedrowski 8, Mitchell Reich 9, Carl Sturt.

HEAT 2

1, Tim Brannam 2, John Kirk 3, Max Brannam 4, Ron Brannam 5, Kevin Frederiksen 6, Xander York 7, Jacob Sturt 8, C.J. Malueg.

A MAIN

1, Mike Neau 2, Mark Heinert 3, Nick Petska 4, Tim Brannam 5, John Kirk 6, Mike Unger 7, Ron Brannam 8, Max Brannam 9, Xander York 10, Chris Quilman 11, Andrew Kiedrowski 12, Kevin Frederiksen 13, Mitchell Reich 14, Nick Sheridan 15, C.J. Malueg (DNS), 16, Carl Sturt (DNS) 17, Jacob Sturt.

September 26, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Alex Pokorski racks top-10 MSA run at Gravity Park Speedway

Alex Pokorski posted a sixth-place showing in a 25-lap Midwest Sprint Car Association A main at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 18. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 21, 2021 – After a three-week break from competition, second-year 360 Sprint Car driver Alex Pokorski returned to the cockpit of the No. 4 Pokorski Motorsports machine to post his fourth top-10 A-main showing of the 2021 campaign in an Akright Auto Parts of Sheboygan Falls Midwest Sprint Car Association main event at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 18.

With 18 MSA 360 Sprint Cars signed in for the second event of the 2021 season on the quarter-mile Gravity Park Speedway bullring, Pokorski lined up fourth in the first 10-lap MSA heat race.

Track conditions proved to dictate the evening as the surface began taking rubber early in the event, which was held as part of the annual Chilton Fall Classic featuring competition in eight different divisions over two nights.

Pokorski held tight to the bottom of the rubber-filled track throughout the heat race and was close enough to take advantage when Tony Wondra drifted high and slipped out of the rubber on the final lap. Pokorski ducked underneath Wondra in turn three on the final circuit to claim a third-place finish.

The West Bend native earned the sixth starting spot in the 25-lap MSA A main and maintained his line along the rubber-laden low groove throughout the event and enduring three caution flags en route to a sixth-place showing in a race won by Tony Wondra.

“The track only had one fast groove due to rubber being laid down,” Pokorski said. “My approach was to get down into the groove as quickly as possible and wait for people to make mistakes in front of me. You have to conserve your tires when the track takes rubber, so it’s just about avoiding mistakes and saving tires. I’m happy to finish sixth. I felt I was faster than one or two cars in front of me, but they didn’t make mistakes.”

The Pokorski Motorsports team will close out the 2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association points season with a doubleheader weekend of action starting Friday, Sept. 24 with an MSA 360 Sprint Car event held in memory of Fuzzy Fassbender, Harry Neitzel and Rick Schmidt at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. The Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars and Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint Cars will also be on the card for the all-Sprint Car event.

On-track action will begin at 5:50 p.m. with qualifying and racing to follow.

The team will cap the 2021 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car and MSA points campaigns at the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships on Saturday, Sept. 25 at The Plymouth Dir Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

The Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships will feature the final points races of the season for the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars, Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Cars, Midwest Sprint Car Association Sprint Cars, PDTR 360 Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprints with 2021 champions crowned in all five divisions.

Pit gates open at 1 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4 p.m., followed by hot laps at 5 p.m. with qualifying and racing to follow.

Paul Pokorski will be in the seat of the No. 4 Pokorski Motorsports 360 Sprint Car for both events.

Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Novak’s Service Center

Pokorski Motorsports would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 49^th year in business in 2021.

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

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

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

For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

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

2021 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers

Total Events – 25

MSA events – 25

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 1

Top Five A Main Finishes – 1

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 5

Heat Race Victories – 3

2021 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule.

Friday, Sept. 24 – Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Saturday, Sept. 25 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Plymouth, Wis.

September 21, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Wondra nets wire-to-wire MSA triumph at Gravity Park

Tony Wondra of Campbellsport captured his seventh career 25-lap Akright Auto Parts of Sheboygan Falls Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main victory Saturday, Sept. 18 at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 18, 2021 – As one of the most experienced drivers in the Midwest Sprint Car Association pit area, 29-year open-wheel racing veteran Tony Wondra of Campbellsport drove a smart, smooth and consistent race, while negotiating a tricky track surface en route to his first 25-lap Akright Auto Parts of Sheboygan Falls Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main victory of the 2021 season during the Chilton Fall Classic at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 18.

The 25^th MSA 360 Sprint Car Series racing event of the 2021 campaign drew a field of 18 cars in the series’ second appearance of the season at the Gravity Park Speedway bullring.

Outside front row starter Tony Wondra outpowered polesitter Adam Miller of Plymouth to take the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap MSA main event, which was contested on a rubber-down track surface as one of the final events of the two-day eight-division Chilton Fall Classic.

Wondra held tight to the inside groove of the tight quarter-mile clay oval to secure the top spot over Miller in the early going as the field raced mainly in lock-step formation along the low lane.

On lap 7, Wondra caught the rear of the field, which allowed Miller to close to the gap. However, on the next lap, Miller spun his machine in turn four to bring out the first of three caution flags.

Shortly after the ensuing restart, a three-car incident in turn two saw Justin Erickson of Plymouth, Tyler Tischendorf of Waupaca and Bill Taylor of Boltonville spin in turn two. Tischendorf and Taylor were able to continue, but Erickson was done for the night.

The next restart was held in single-file formation as Wondra again bolted into the lead with fourth starter Will Gerrits of Waupun trailing closely in second. On lap 10, Adam Miller spun again in turn two to bring out the third and final caution flag of the race.

Wondra maintained the lead on the final restart and successfully fended off Gerrits over the final 15 laps on the way to his seventh career MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and his first MSA A-main win since 2018 in his Ford-powered No. 11 360 Sprint Car.

Gerrits came home second, 2011 MSA champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth placed third after starting third, fifth starter Tyler Brabant of Waupun finished fourth and 2005 MSA champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett placed fifth after starting sixth.

MSA heat race victories went to MSA point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls and Justin Erickson.

The MSA is set to close out the 2021 points season with a doubleheader weekend of action starting Friday, Sept. 24 with the Fuzzy Fassbender and Harry Neitzel Tribute Race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. and concluding with the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 25.

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

Midwest Sprint Car Association

Gravity Park Speedway

Chilton, Wis.

September 18, 2021

HEAT 1

1, Travis Arenz 2, Tyler Brabant 3, Alex Pokorski 4, Tony Wondra 5, Ben Schmidt 6, Adam Miller 7, Jack Vanderboom 8, Blake Wondra 9, Justin Miller.

HEAT 2

1, Justin Erickson 2, Bill Taylor 3, Lance Fassbender 4, Tyler Tischendorf 5, Preston Ruh 6, Will Gerrits 7, Tim Haddy 8, Katelyn Krebsbach 9, Jeremy Hunt.

A MAIN

1, Tony Wondra 2, Will Gerrits 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Tyler Brabant 5, Lance Fassbender 6, Alex Pokorski 7, Travis Arenz 8, Preston Ruh 9, Tim Haddy 10, Katelyn Krebsbach 11, Blake Wondra 12, Tyler Tischendorf 13, Justin Miller 14, Bill Taylor 15, Jeremy Hunt 16, Jack Vanderboom 17, Adam Miller 18, Justin Erickson.

September 19, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Perplexing mechanical issue dampens Pokorski’s Plymouth 360 Sprint Car run

Paul Pokorski (4) experienced a rear-end gear issue, which slowed his efforts, during Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 11. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 14, 2021 – Over the course of his 29-year career, Paul Pokorski has seen pretty much everything behind the wheel of an open-wheel race car.

However, the second-to-last Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car event of the 2021 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. brought along a brand new scenario for the 2014 Midwest Sprint Car Association Masters Series champion in the form of a rather mysterious gear and rear-end malfunction, which hampered the Pokorski Motorsports team’s efforts throughout the night.

With 27 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars on hand, Pokorski lined up second in the second 10-lap 360 Sprint Car heat race. Pokorski used a strong start to take the lead from polesitter Justin Erickson with a low move in turn two of the opening lap.

Pokorski proceeded to build up a sizeable lead over the next few laps and appeared headed for a heat race victory and berth in the evening’s 25-lap 360 Sprint Car A-main field.

However, Pokorski’s suddenly slowed on lap 6 when his No. 4 machine slipped out of gear. The car continued to sputter on and off over the final four circuits as the three-time Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified champion limped home to a seventh-place finish.

After the Pokorski Motorsports crew went about addressing the issue in the pit area, Pokorski lined up ninth in the 12-lap 360 Sprint Car B main, needing to finish in the top six to move on to the A main.

Pokorski used a solid start to move into eighth during the opening lap on the lightning-fast third-mile clay oval track surface. However, the gear issue appeared again on lap 7, which forced Pokorski to pull into the infield. Pokorski’s evening ended with an 11^th-place showing in the B main.

“Our car kept popping out of gear, but only once it got warm,” Pokorski said. “The strange part is it would engage on its own when I would slow down. I’ve never had that happen before.

“It turned out to be a disappointing night, but, hey, that’s racing,” Pokorski said. “We went back to work the day after to fix the rear end issue and some minor handling issues.”

The Pokorski Motorsports team will return to action this Saturday, Sept. 18 for a Midwest Sprint Car Association event at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton, Wis. as part of the track’s annual Chilton Fall Classic.

Second-year 360 Sprint Car competitor Alex Pokorski will return to the seat of the No. 4 car for the event.

Racing is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Novak’s Service Center

Pokorski Motorsports would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 49^th year in business in 2021.

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

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

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

For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

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

2021 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers

Total Events – 24

MSA events – 24

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 1

Top Five A Main Finishes – 1

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 4

Heat Race Victories – 3

2021 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule.

Saturday, Sept. 18 – Gravity Park Speedway, Chilton, Wis.

Saturday, Sept. 25 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Plymouth, Wis.

September 14, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Arenz, McDermand, Loehr, Lorier claim PDTR triumphs, Sorce Jr. and Frank secure titles

Current Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls earned his 10th career PDTR 360 Sprint A-main victory in the 25-lap main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 11. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 11, 2021 – The penultimate Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program of the 2021 season saw four drivers make return visits to A-main victory lane and pair of competitors claim division championships, during an incident-plagued evening of action at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 11.

PDTR 360 Sprint Car point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls rolled to his sixth A-main victory of the 2021 campaign in the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasantview Realty 360 Sprint Car main event.

Chase McDermand of Springfield, Ill. nailed down his third consecutive Badger Midget Auto Racing Association by claiming his 10^th BMARA A-main victory of the 2021 season in the 25-lap main event.

2018 PDTR Grand National champion Matt Loehr of Dotyville picked up his third 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National A-main victory of the 2021 season and Sheboygan’s Steve Lorier racked up his second 25-lap Cellcom B Mod A-main triumph of the 2021 campaign.

Veteran Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis secured his third career PDTR Grand National championship and second-year competitor Trevor Frank of Sheboygan secured his first career PDTR B Mod title.

Outside front row starter Brandon Berth of Cascade outdueled polesitter Bill Taylor of Boltonville to lead the opening lap of the 25-lap 360 Sprint Car A main. Berth then proceeded to build up a big lead in the early going on the lightning-fast third-mile clay oval.

As Berth worked the cushion to perfection, sixth starter Travis Arenz moved into fourth on lap four. Berth caught the rear of the field on lap 6 and proceeded to extend his lead to a full straightaway over Adam Miller of Plymouth, who started third.

On lap 11, Arenz worked around Miller to claim the runner-up spot. By lap 17, Berth continued to hold down a full-straightaway cushion over Arenz.

On lap 20, the first of three red flags appeared when two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen and rookie Matt Rechek of Beaver Dam made contact in turn three, which sent Rechek flipping into the third three fence. Rechek emerged uninjured, but the contact resulted in a delay to repair the fence.

The ensuing restart saw the lapped car of Blake Wondra hit the turn two wall before Adam Miller flipped and Cole Possi of Rock, Mich. was collected in the incident.

Berth controlled the restart and led the ensuing two laps before getting out of shape in turn two on lap 22, which allowed Arenz to dive low and take over the top spot as the two drivers raced down the backstretch in close formation.

Berth attempted to move around Arenz along the outside groove in turn three. However, the two cars made contact, which sent Berth head on into the turn four wall. Despite the hard contact, Berth was uninjured in the incident. However, the contact necessitated more fence repair.

Arenz powered away from the field on the final restart and cruised over the final three laps en route to his 10^thMidwest Sprint Car Association A-main victory of the 2021 season, 10^th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main win, third straight MSA victory and 21^st career MSA main event triumph.

2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett, who started fourth, finished second, Will Gerrits of Waupun charged from the 18^th starting spot to place third, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove finished fourth after starting 14^thand Brandon McMullen, who started 15^th, recovered from his lap 20 incident and trip to the pit area for repairs to round out the top five.

Arenz heads into the final PDTR 360 Sprint Car points race of the 2021 season on Saturday, Sept. 25 with a 22-point lead over McMullen.

Polesitter Lamont Critchett of Demotte, Ind. dueled side by side with outside front row starter Ken Hanson of Vinton, Iowa on the opening circuit of the 25-lap Badger Midget A main before Critchett surged ahead along the high groove on lap 2.

Chase McDermand of Springfield, Ill. secured his third consecutive Badger Midget Auto Racing Association championship as he collected his second 25-lap BMARA A-main victory of the 2021 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 11. – Casey Bollig photo

The first caution flag of the race appeared on lap 4 for a three-car incident in turn two. On the restart, fifth starter Zach Boden of Cambridge utilized the low line to pull even with Critchett for the top spot. The two drivers dueled side by side for the next two laps before Boden assumed the top spot on lap 6.

On lap 7, Charles Kunz of Springfield, Ill. hit the back stretch wall and flipped to bring out the red flag. When the race resumed, Critchett regained the lead on lap 11 two a high move in turn two.

Two laps later, eighth starter Chase McDermand pulled off a thrilling three-wide move in turn two to work past Boden and Critchett into the lead. Four laps later, Critchett made hard contact with the turn four wall to bring out another red flag.

McDermand bolted away on the restart and maintained the top spot the rest of the way en route to his second Badger Midget A-main triumph of the 2021 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track after scoring a win in the series’ previous appearance on July 31.

Boden placed second, ninth starter Jeff Zelinski of Joliet, Ill. finished third, Cody Weisensel of Sun Prairie placed fourth after starting sixth and Sun Prairie’s Todd Kluever placed fifth after starting seventh.

Matt Loehr of Dotyville claimed his ninth career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National A-main victory in the 25-lap main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 11. – RC Custom Design photo

Outside front row starter Josh Pierce of Random Lake worked around polesitter Matt Loehr to seize the lead in turn two of the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National A main.

Loehr battled back to challenge Pierce along the low groove on lap 3, but Pierce fended off his advances. The lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 7 when rookie Darren Meyer spun in turn three.

On the restart, Loehr continued to pressure Pierce before fifth starter Dick Hed of Plymouth moved in two challenge Loehr for second on lap 12. Loehr then ventured up to the high groove to close in on the leader.

On lap 17, Loehr powered around Pierce to secure the lead in turn two and he never looked back en route to his ninth career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph.

Pierce placed second, ninth starter Steven Weber of Plymouth finished third, Hed was fourth and seventh starter Luke Scholten of Oostburg placed fifth.

Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis picked up his third career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National champion at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 11. – C-Marq Photography photo

Polesitter Steve Lorier paced the opening laps of the 25-lap B Mod A main with third starter Jesse Cullen of Chilton in hot pursuit. The first of four caution flags appeared on lap 10 when Travis Arenz, who was guest driving for Jonathan Hitsman, spun in turn one on lap 10.

Following the restart, Cullen ducked low on lap 15 to wrestle the lead away from Lorier in turn one. However, Lorier battled back to regain the top spot with high move in turn four on the following lap.

The second caution appeared on lap 18 when Rory Welch of Grafton and Gary Glander of Sheboygan Falls spun in turn four. Another caution flag was displayed on the restart when Jonathon Baumann of Sheboygan spun in turn four.

Steve Lorier of Sheboygan notched his fourth career 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 11. – RC Custom Design photo

On the restart, fifth starter Spencer Long worked his way into second and moved in to pressure Lorier for the lead on lap 19. However, Long brought out the fourth and final caution of the race when he spun in turn four lap 23.

Lorier held down the top spot over the final two laps on the way to his fourth career PDTR B Mod A-main triumph. Kyle Odekirk of Plymouth placed second after starting 10^th, Cullen finished third, 12^th starter Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls placed fourth and Trevor Frank secured his first career PDTR B Mod championship with a fifth-place showing, after starting 13^th.

Blake Wondra of Fond du Lac won the 12-lap PDTR B Mod B Main and R.J. Corson of Markham, Ill. won the 12-lap Badger Midget B Main.

After exiting his car under his own power, Dan Kleven of Marshall was transported to a local hospital as a precautionary measure, following a hard flip in turn four during the 10-lap Badger Midget non-qualifier event.

Second-year driver Trevor Frank of Sheboygan wrapped up his first career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod championship Saturday, Sept. 11 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. -JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

The 17^th PDTR program of the 2021 season, which was sponsored by Hidden Dreams Livestock, drew 88 total cars, including 27 360 Sprint Cars, 27 Badger Midgets, 19 B Mods and 15 Grand Nationals.

The final PDTR event of the 2021 season is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Sept. 25 featuring the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships with season-ending action and season point championships crowned in the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars, IRA Wisconsin WingLESS Sprint Car Series and IRA Lightning Sprints.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with on-track action slated to get under way at 5 p.m. with IRA qualifying and racing to follow.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Dylan Winkel 2, Adam Miller 3, Brandon Berth 4, Justin Miller 5, Chris Larson 6, Tristan Koenings 7, Jeremy Hunt 8, Tony Wondra 9, Kevin Karnitz.

HEAT 2

1, Lance Fassbender 2, Travis Arenz 3, Cole Possi 4, Tim Haddy 5, Doug Wondra 6, Blake Wondra 7, Paul Pokorski 8, Justin Erickson 9, Tyler Brabant.

HEAT 3

1, Bill Taylor 2, Preston Ruh 3, Josh Teunissen 4, Matt Rechek 5, Ben Schmidt 6, Brandon McMullen 7, Will Gerrits 8, Katelyn Krebsbach 9, Chris Clayton.

B MAIN

1, Blake Wondra 2, Chris Larson 3, Will Gerrits 4, Tony Wondra 5, Kevin Karnitz 6, Katelyn Krebsbach 7, Justin Erickson 8, Tyler Brabant 9, Chris Clayton 10, Jeremy Hunt 11, Paul Pokorski.

A MAIN

1, Travis Arenz 2, Lance Fassbender 3, Will Gerrits 4, Ben Schmidt 5, Brandon McMullen 6, Justin Miller 7, Kevin Karnitz 8, Doug Wondra 9, Josh Teunissen 10, Preston Ruh 11, Tony Wondra 12, Chris Larson 13, Katelyn Krebsbach 14, Brandon Berth 15, Tim Haddy 16, Dylan Winkel, 17, Adam Miller 18, Cole Possi 19, Matt Rechek 20, Blake Wondra 21, Bill Taylor DQ – Tristan Koenings.

BADGER MIDGET AUTO RACING ASSOCIATION

QUALIFYING

1, Jeff Zelinski 13.422 2, Chase McDermand 13.642 3, Todd Kluever 13.721 4, Cody Weisensel 13.811 5, Zach Boden 13.827 6, Kyle Stark 13.916 7, Jake Dohner 14.029 8, Kevin Olson 14.040 9, R.J. Corson 14.066 10, Jeremy Douglas 14.112 11, Mike Stroik 14.219 12, Kevin Douglas 14.263 13, Derek Doerr 14.279 14, Ken Hanson 14.353 15, Lamont Critchett 14.556 16, Kyle Koch 14.572 17, Dave Collins Jr. 14.808 18, Charles Kunz 14.913 19, Jake Goeglein 14.922 20, Aaron Muhle 14.948 21, Harrison Kleven 14.948 22, Shay Sassano 15.137 23, Jim Fuerst 15.451 24, Dan Kleven 15.636 25, Denny Smith 16.051 26, Dwight Stefan 16.898 27, Mike Burba 17.092.

NON-QUALIFER

1, Shay Sassano 2, Jim Fuerst 3, Jake Goeglein 4, Denny Smith 5, Harrison Kleven 6, Dwight Stefan 7, Aaron Muhle 8, Dan Kleven.

HEAT 1

1, Chase McDermand 2, Kyle Koch 3, Ken Hanson 4, Jeremy Douglas 5, Cody Weisensel 6, Kyle Stark 7, Kevin Olson 8, Kevin Douglas 9, Charles Kunz.

HEAT 2

1, Lamont Critchett 2, Todd Kluever 3, Jeff Zelinkski 4, Zach Boden 5, Derek Doerr 6, Jake Dohner 7, Mike Stroik 8, R.J. Corson 9, Dave Collins Jr.

B MAIN

1, R.J. Corson 2, Dave Collins Jr. 3, Kevin Douglas 4, Aaron Muhle 5, Charles Kunz 6, Jim Fuerst 7, Harrison Kleven 8, Jake Goeglein 9, Denny Smith 10, Dwight Stefan 11, Shay Sassano 12, Dan Kleven (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Chase McDermand 2, Zach Boden 3, Jeff Zelinski 4, Cody Weisensel 5, Todd Kluever 6, Jeremy Douglas 7, Derek Doerr 8, R.J. Corson 9, Kevin Olson 10, Mike Stroik 11, Aaron Muhle 12, Kevin Douglas 13, Dave Collins Jr. 14, Kyle Koch 15, Harrison Kleven 16, Jake Dohner 17, Jim Fuerst 18, Jake Goeglein 19, Lamont Critchett 20, Ken Hanson 21, Charles Kunz 22, Kyle Stark.

OOSTBURG AUTOMOTIVE GRAND NATIONALS

HEAT 1

1, Tyler Kulow 2, J.J. Pagel 3, Dick Hed 4, Steven Weber 5, Josh Pierce 6, Brad Weiss 7, Mavrick Ruh 8, Derek Kaat.

HEAT 2

1, Luke Scholten 2, Don Sorce Jr. 3, Matt Loehr 4, Donny Kulow 5, Jeff Muehlbauer 6, Matt Yancey 7, Darren Meyer.

A MAIN

1, Matt Loehr, 2, Josh Pierce 3, Steven Weber 4, Dick Hed 5, Luke Scholten 6, J.J. Pagel 7, Don Sorce Jr. 8, Donny Kulow 9, Jeff Muehlbauer 10, Brad Weiss 11, Matt Yancey 12, Mavrick Ruh 13, Darren Meyer 14, Derek Kaat 15, Tyler Kulow.

CELLCOM B MOD

HEAT 1

1, Tom Schneider 2, Gary Glander 3, Jonathon Baumann 4, Rick Kretschmann 5, Shane Long 6, Justin Bauer 7, Travis Arenz.

HEAT 2

1, Kyle Odekirk 2, Rory Welch 3, Patrick Hanson 4, Donny Singer 5, Phil Campanella 6, Christopher Gilson.

HEAT 3

1, Barry Maas 2, Spencer Long 3, Jesse Cullen 4, Steve Lorier 5, Trevor Frank 6, Travis Schmidt (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Steve Lorier 2, Kyle Odekirk 3, Jesse Cullen 4, Shane Long 5, Trevor Frank 6, Justin Bauer 7, Barry Maas 8, Rory Welch 9, Rick Kretschmann 10, Travis Arenz 11, Jonathan Baumann 12, Patrick Hanson 13, Christopher Gilson 14, Spencer Long 15, Tom Schneider 16, Gary Glander 17, Phil Campanella 18, Andy Singer (DNS) 19, Travis Schmidt (DNS).

September 12, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Mechanical setback slows Walter’s Plymouth Fair Night effort

Josh Walter turned in the 11th fastest qualifying lap in the 31-car field in a Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series event, during the 2021 Sheboygan County Fair at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 4. – RC Custom Design photo

Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 8, 2021 – After five weeks away from competition, Josh Walter and the Torque Racing 410 Sprint Car team’s return to action at the team’s home track – The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. ended prematurely due to a mechanical malady, during the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series’ annual appearance at the Sheboygan County Fair on Saturday, Sept. 4.

With a large Fair Night crowd packing the grandstand and a healthy 31-car IRA field on hand, Walter opened the event on a strong note by ripping off the 11^th-fastest time in qualifying with a lap of 12.172 seconds around the third-mile clay oval.

After lining up on the outside front row of the third 10-lap IRA heat race, a pair of false starts pushed Walter and polesitter Russel Borland back a row and relegated the Plymouth driver to the fourth starting spot on the drop of the green flag.

Walter held down the fourth spot in the opening laps of the race along the cushion before the first of consecutive caution flags appeared on lap three for a spin involving Hunter Custer.

On the ensuing restart, Brayton Lynch slowed to bring out another caution. During the caution period, Walter retired to the pit area with an apparent engine-related mechanical issue.

“We broke a rocker arm in the heat race and pulled off during the second caution,” Walter said. “That ended our night as we went about assessing the damage and our plan for how to address the issue. We have the parts ordered, but they were not available for us to race this coming weekend.”

The Torque Racing team was in attendance for the fifth annual Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association Harry Neitzel Tribute race on Friday, Sept. 3 at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. However, heavy rain showers hit the track late in the afternoon, which forced the event to be cancelled.

Stay tuned to the Torque Racing Facebook and Twitter pages for schedule updates and up-to-date information.

Torque Racing Sponsor Showcase – Dlapa Construction

Josh Walter-Torque Racing is pleased to welcome Dlapa Construction of Cedar Grove, Wis. on board as a sponsor for the 2021 racing season.

Established in 2006, Dlapa Construction provides a wide range of concrete and masonry needs, serving both home and business owners throughout the state of Wisconsin.

Dlapa Construction is located at 720 County Road RR in Cedar Grove, Wis.

For a free estimate, call 920-946-7979, visit www.dlapaconstruction.com or check out Dlapa Construction on Facebook.

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

2021 Josh Walter-Torque Racing

By The Numbers

Total Events – 11

IRA events – 10

World of Outlaws events – 1

All Star events – 1

A-Main Victories – 0

B-Main Victories – 0

Top Five A-Main Finishes – 1

Top 10 A-Main Finishes – 4

Heat Race Victories – 2

Dash Victories – 1

Dash Appearances – 4

2021 Josh Walter-Torque Racing

Tentative Upcoming Schedule

(Additional dates to be announced)

TBA

September 8, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Paul Pokorski tallies top-12 showing in PDTR 360 Sprint Car return

Paul Pokorski (4) duels with Tyler Brabant (99) in the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main Saturday, Sept. 4 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 7, 2021 – After over two months away from the driver’s seat, 29-year veteran Paul Pokorski returned to the cockpit of the No. 4 Pokorski Motorsports 360 Sprint Car during the annual Sheboygan County Fair race at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 4.

With 30 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars on hand and a large crowd of spectators in attendance for the Fair Night event, Pokorski started third in the third 10-lap 360 Sprint Car heat race.

After settling into the third spot at the start, the 2014 Midwest Sprint Car Association Masters Series champion ducked low to move past Chris Larson in turn one on lap three.

Pokorski was reeling in the first-place car of Kurt Davis when the caution flag flew for a spin involving Chris Clayton and Justin Miller in turn two on lap 5.

On the restart, Lance Fassbender worked around Pokorski to take over second and move the West Bend driver back to third in the running order, which is where he finished the race.

Pokorski then started 11^th in the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main and utilized the low groove in the early stages of the race to hold down the 11^th spot. After the lone caution flag appeared on lap 7 for debris, Pokorski fell back to 13^th on the restart.

Starting on lap 14, the low-riding Pokorski engaging in a heated duel with the cushion-pounding machine of Tyler Brabant. Pokorski outbattled Brabant in the closing stages of the race to secure the 12^th spot at the conclusion of the race, which was won by Travis Arenz.

“The car was good but not great,” Pokorski said. “The driver was a little rusty. I felt really odd actually. I would have really liked to get out and run on the top, but it seems like the bottom was the way to go most of the night. We’re fighting a little gremlin that makes it difficult to drive at times. We can’t quite figure it out. Alex was struggling with the same thing from time to time.

“I will be in the car again next Saturday and will change some things and see if we can’t figure out our issue,” he said. “I was happy to get through the night with no major issues.”

The Pokorski Motorsports team is set to return to action with Paul Pokorski in the driver’s seat at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Novak’s Service Center

Pokorski Motorsports would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 49^th year in business in 2021.

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

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

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

For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

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

2021 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers

Total Events – 23

MSA events – 23

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 1

Top Five A Main Finishes – 1

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 4

Heat Race Victories – 3

2021 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule.

Saturday, Sept. 11 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Plymouth, Wis.

Saturday, Sept. 18 – Gravity Park Speedway, Chilton, Wis.

Saturday, Sept. 25 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Plymouth, Wis.

September 6, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Gass, Arenz excel in PDTR Fair Night Sprint Car doubleheader

Noah Gass of Mounds, Okla. earned his first career Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory in his debut appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis., which was held during the 2021 Sheboygan County Fair on Saturday, Sept. 4. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 4, 2021 – A surprise 18-year-old 410 Sprint Car entrant from Oklahoma and the hottest 360 Sprint Car driver in the region stood tall in a two-division all-Sprint Car Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program contested before a large crowd during the 2021 Sheboygan County Fair at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 4.

Noah Gass of Mounds, Okla. made his first visit to The Plymouth Dirt Track pay off in a big way as he outdueled Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan in the closing laps to record his first career Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association A-main victory in his initial IRA start in the 30-lap headliner.

Midwest Sprint Car Association point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls earned his fifth Kristine Hartmann Pleasantview Realty Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2021 season in dominating fashion in the 25-lap main event, while also taking over the PDTR 360 Sprint Car division point lead with just two points races remaining in the 2021 campaign.

Polesitter Blake Nimee of Oswego, Ill. outdueled outside front row starter Scotty Thiel to grab the initial lead in turn one of the opening circuit of the IRA 30-lap A main.

Thiel battled back to reel off a slide job in turn three before Nimee dove low to duck under Thiel to maintain the lead at the completion of lap one. Nimee then settled into running the cushion off the third-mile clay oval with Thiel in second and fourth starter Jordan Goldesberry of Springfield, Ill. in third in the early going.

On lap 8, the leaders began to encounter lapped traffic as Noah Gass, who started seventh, worked the low groove to work past Goldesberry into third on lap 9.

The leaders skillfully weaved their way through lapped traffic over the next eight laps before Thiel caught Nimee and dove low to wrestle away the lead exiting turn four on lap 17.

However, Nimee rebounded to trade slide jobs with Thiel over the next four laps. The two hard-charging drivers dueled side by side repeatedly on the smooth and wide track surface before Thiel used the high groove to assume the top spot on lap 23.

One lap later, Gass worked the low groove to move past Nimee into second. Gass was closing on the high-riding Thiel before the first of three caution flags appeared on lap 27 when Mike Reinke of Howards Grove spun in turn two.

Thiel used a big restart to pull away from Gass. However, Gass was not to be denied as he patiently worked the track surface to perfection utilizing the middle to low groove to duck underneath the cushion-pounding Thiel exiting turn four on lap 29.

Thiel attempted to battle back with a low move in turn one. However, Thiel hooked an infield tire and spun in turn two to bring out the second caution flag of the race.

On the ensuing restart, Dave Uttech of Kenosha and Alan Gilbertson of Kasson, Minn. collided exiting turn four to bring out the third caution of the event.

The green, white, checkered flag finish saw Gass pull away as Nimee and 2018 IRA champion and current point leader Jake Blackhurst of Hanna City, Ill., who started fifth, engaging in a heated duel for second.

Gass notched his initial IRA triumph, Nimee held on to finish second, Blackhurst was third, Goldesberry took fourth and Jake Neuman of New Berlin, Ill., who started third, rounded out the top five in his IRA debut at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

“We didn’t really know what to do here set-up wise since we had never raced here before,” Gass said. “I was searching for the best groove to run early in the race and then I tried running the bottom and it felt really good. On that restart, I just about gave it away, but I worked on my corner entry line and opened up my exit and it all worked out for us.”

Despite falling just short of victory lane, Nimee was still pleased with his runner-up showing.

“We had a lot of speed, but we couldn’t quite get it done tonight,” Nimee said. “It is so tough running against these guys with a part-time team like we have. I’m proud of my guys. They do a great job. We’ll take a second-place finish and move on to the next race.”

Blackhurst found it challenging to find the fast way around the track during the A main.

“It was a pretty fun race,” Blackhurst said. “I struggled to find the right place to run. The track actually started to take rubber and it took me a while to find it. I ran the cushion when I maybe should have gone down low sooner, but third is still not too bad.”

2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove grabbed the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 25-lap 360 Sprint Car A main from the pole.

Throughout the early going, the low-riding Schmidt felt heavy pressure from outside frow row starter Tyler Tischendorf of Waupaca, who was running the cushion. By lap six, Travis Arenz, moved into the top five from his seventh starting spot.

The lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 7 for debris along the front stretch. On the restart, Schmidt again bolted into the lead while Tischendorf fell back along the cushion, which allowed third starter Jack Vanderboom of Dousman to take over the runner-up spot, while Arenz moved into third.

Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls collected his fifth Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2021 season in the 25-lap headliner held during the 2021 Sheboygan County Fair at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 4. – RC Custom Design photo

On lap 10, Arenz worked the high groove to move around Vanderboom into second as he quickly closed in on Schmidt for the lead. On lap 12, Arenz utilized the cushion to shoot around Schmidt into the top spot and he quickly proceeded to pull away from the field.

Arenz hit lapped traffic on lap 16, but it didn’t slow him down a bit as he extended his lead over the closing nine laps en route to his ninth career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, 20^th career Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main triumph and ninth MSA main-event win of the 2021 season.

“It was kind of tough going to begin the race, but then during the caution I pulled the wing back and the car was phenomenal in clean and dirty air the rest of the way,” Arenz said. “I have to thank all my crew members and everyone that supports me. Everyone has done a great job this year.”

Schmidt had to settle for second, Vanderboom was third, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee placed fourth after starting fifth and 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Lance Fassbender of Burnett rounded out the top five after starting sixth.

Kyle Schuett of Philo, Ill. captured the 10-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car Series B main.

Adam Miller of Plymouth won the 15-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car B Main.

Scotty Thiel was the IRA fast qualifier with a lap of 11.526 seconds.

The 16^th PDTR program of the 2021 season, which was sponsored by Hopf Farms, drew 61 total cars, including 31 IRA 410 Sprint Cars and 30 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars.

The final regular PDTR program of the 2021 season will take place on Saturday, Sept. 11 with the season championship points programs on tap for the PDTR Grand National and B Mods, a full points show for the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars and a special appearance by the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION 410 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Scotty Thiel 11.526 2, Jake Blackhurst 11.663 3, Jordan Goldesberry 11.794 4, Jake Neuman 11.869 5, Noah Gass 11.879 6, Blake Nimee 11.895 7, Danny Schlafer 11.923 8, Kris Spitz 12.019 9, Dave Uttech 12.079 10, John Fahl 12.101 11, Josh Walter 12.172 12, Jack Berger 12.175 13, Chris Flick 12.231 14, Mike Reinke 12.254 15, Russel Borland 12.266 16, Steve Meyer 12.279 17, Dan McCarron 12.285 18, Caden Englehart 12.290 19, Josh Schneiderman 12.299 20, Jeremy Schultz 12.336 21, Scotty Neitzel 12.351 22, Zach Hansen 12.369 23, Hunter Custer 12.377 24, Kyle Schuett 12.416 25, Alan Gilbertson 12.491 26, Robbie Pribnow 12.517 27, Brayton Lynch 12.568 28, Wayne Modjeski 12.622 29, Jeremy Schroeder 12.689 30, Austin Hartmann 13.393 31, Preston Ruh 13.439.

HEAT 1

1, Scotty Thiel 2, Noah Gass 3, Scotty Neitzel 4, Dan McCarron 5, Dave Uttech 6, Alan Gilbertson 7, Jeremy Schroeder 8, Chris Flick.

HEAT 2

1, Mike Reinke 2, Jake Blackhurst 3, Blake Nimee 4, Robbie Pribnow 5, John Fahl 6, Zach Hansen 7, Austin Hartmann 8, Caden Englehart.

HEAT 3

1, Danny Schlafer 2, Jordan Goldesberry 3, Josh Schneiderman 4, Russel Borland 5, Hunter Custer 6, Preston Ruh 7, Josh Walter 8, Brayton Lynch.

HEAT 4

1, Steve Meyer 2, Kris Spitz 3, Jake Neuman 4, Wayne Modjeski 5, Jeremy Schultz 6, Kyle Schuett 7, Jack Berger.

DASH 1

1, Blake Nimee 2, Jake Neuman 3, Jake Blackhurst 4, Noah Gass 5, Steve Meyer.

DASH 2

1, Scotty Thiel 2, Jordan Goldesberry 3, Danny Schlafer 4, Mike Reinke 5, Kris Spitz.

B MAIN

1, Kyle Schuett 2, Jack Berger 3, Chris Flick 4, Alan Gilbertson 5, Zach Hansen 6, Preston Ruh 7, Austin Hartmann 8, Jereme Schroeder 9, Brayton Lynch 10, Caden Englehart 11, Josh Walter (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Noah Gass 2, Blake Nimee 3, Jake Blackhurst 4, Jordan Goldesberry 5, Jake Neuman 6, Russel Borland 7, Josh Schneiderman 8, Dan McCarron 9, Steve Meyer 10, Scotty Neitzel 11, Robbie Pribnow 12, John Fahl 13, Danny Schlafer 14, Kris Spitz 15, Kyle Schuett 16, Wayne Modjeski 17, Jeremy Schultz 18, Chris Flick 19, Jack Berger 20, Alan Gilbertson 21, Dave Uttech 22, Hunter Custer 23, Scotty Thiel 24, Mike Reinke.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Jack Vanderboom 2, Travis Arenz 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Bill Taylor 5, Tony Wondra 6, Matt Rechek 7, Katelyn Krebsbach 8, Dylan Winkel.

HEAT 2

1, Tyler Tischendorf 2, Blake Wondra 3, Tyler Brabant 4, Anthony Knierim 5, Nick Daywalt 6, Adam Miller 7, Brandon McMullen 8, Brandon Berth.

HEAT 3

1, Kurt Davis 2, Lance Fassbender 3, Paul Pokorski 4, Will Gerrits 5, Justin Miller 6, Chris Larson 7, Chris Clayton.

HEAT 4

1, Justin Erickson 2, Kevin Karnitz 3, Tim Haddy 4, Doug Wondra 5, Jason Johnson 6, Josh Teunissen 7, Scott Conger.

B MAIN

1, Adam Miller 2, Brandon McMullen 3, Tony Wondra 4, Anthony Knierim 5, Scott Conger 6, Nick Daywalt 7, Dylan Winkel 8, Matt Rechek 9, Jason Johnson 10, Josh Teunissen 11, Brandon Berth 12, Katelyn Krebsbach 13, Chris Clayton 14, Chris Larson.

A MAIN

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

September 5, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Unlucky turn spoils Alex Pokorski’s MSA run at Beaver Dam Raceway

Alex Pokorski is pictured during qualifying for a Midwest Sprint Car Association event at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 28. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 31, 2021 – What started as a promising evening of Midwest Sprint Car Association action, turned in an instant for upstart second-year 360 Sprint Car competitor Alex Pokorski, resulting in a significantly damaged race car and an early end to the team’s efforts at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 28.

Pokorski was among 32 MSA 360 Sprint Car drivers to sign in for the series’ third appearance of the 2021 season at high-banked Beaver Dam Raceway third-mile clay oval.

The West Bend driver opened the evening on a strong note by ripping off the eighth-fastest lap in MSA 360 Sprint Car group qualifying with a lap of 13.057 seconds.

However, the third 10-lap MSA heat was not kind to Alex and the Pokorski Motorsports team as the third-starting Pokorski lost control and flipped in turn two on the opening circuit.

Pokorski was uninjured in the incident, and he was scored seventh in the race. However, his No. 4 Petersen Septic Systems-sponsored machine suffered extensive damage, which forced the team to scratch from the remainder of the program.

“The car was a little tight for qualifying, but we were still able to put a good lap in,” Pokorski said. “In the first corner of the heat race, the car just bicycled on me and I couldn’t save it. We wrecked three shocks, the rear end, torque tube, radius rods and of course both wings.”

The team was scheduled to compete in a Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car program on Friday, Aug. 27 in conjunction with the Dirt Kings Late Model Tour with Paul Pokorski behind the wheel. However, that event was cancelled due to rain.

The Pokorski Motorsports team will not compete in the fifth annual Midwest Sprint Car Association Harry Neitzel Tribute Race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 3.

The following night, the team is scheduled to return to action at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. during the Sheboygan County Fair for an all-Sprint Car program also featuring the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series.

Hot laps are scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. with IRA qualifying at 5 p.m.

Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Novak’s Service Center

Pokorski Motorsports would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 49^th year in business in 2021.

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

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

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

For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

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

2021 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers

Total Events – 22

MSA events – 22

A Main Victories – 0

B Main Victories – 1

Top Five A Main Finishes – 1

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 4

Heat Race Victories – 3

2021 Pokorski Motorsports Remaining Schedule.

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

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

Saturday, Sept. 18 – Gravity Park Speedway, Chilton, Wis.

Saturday, Sept. 25 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

September 1, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Arenz bests Beaver Dam Raceway foes for eighth MSA triumph of 2021

Midwest Sprint Car Association point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls collected his 19th career MSA A-main victory in the 25-lap main event at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 28. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 28, 2021 – Akright Auto Parts of Sheboygan Falls Midwest Sprint Car Association point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls proved to be the clear class of the field, turning in a near flawless performance on an ultra-fast and tacky track surface on the way to his eighth MSA A-main victory of the 2021 campaign in the 25-lap headliner at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 28.

The 21st MSA 360 Sprint Car Series racing event of the 2021 season saw a strong field of 32 cars sign in for series’ third appearance of the year at the Beaver Dam Raceway high-banked third-mile clay oval.

Third-year MSA competitor Tyler Davis of Franklin outdueled outside front row starter Tyler Brabant of Waupun to grab the lead of the 25-lap main event in turn three of the opening lap.

As Davis paced the field in the early going on the lightning-fast track surface, the first of three stoppages occurred on lap 4 when a yellow flag appeared after Tim Haddy of Waupun hit in the turn four wall.

Following the restart, eighth starter Travis Arenz, who captured the MSA’s most recent event at Beaver Dam Raceway on May 7, swept into fourth place while Davis built up a quarter-straightaway cushion on the field. As Brabant and fourth starter Blake Wondra of Fond du Lac dueled side by side for second place, Arenz worked his way into third on lap 8.

One lap later, Brabant hit the back stretch wall and exited the track shortly after, which allowed Arenz to take over second place in the running order. Arenz quickly reeled in Davis, who was closing in the rear of the field, before using the high groove to power into the lead exiting turn four on lap 12.

On lap 13, Austin Hartmann of Sheboygan Falls collided with the front stretch wall to bring out the second caution flag of the race. On the restart, five-time MSA champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, who started seventh, slipped into third on lap 14 and quickly closed the gap on his son, Tyler. Four laps later, Kurt Davis moved passed Tyler Davis to assume second.

Just as Arenz had built up a full straightaway lead over Kurt Davis, the red flag appeared on lap 19 after Tyler Davis flipped in turn four.

Arenz controlled the restart and cruised over the final six laps en route to his 19th career MSA main event victory and second straight MSA triumph at Beaver Dam Raceway.

Kurt Davis finished second, two-time MSA champion Danny Schlafer of Sussex finished third, after starting 10th, in just his second MSA start of the 2021 season, 2011 MSA champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove placed fourth after starting sixth and Blake Wondra rounded out the top five.

Jack Vanderboom of Dousman won the 15-lap MSA B main. MSA heat race victories went to Brandon Berth of Cascade, Travis Arenz, Bill Taylor of Boltonville and Kurt Davis.

Tim Haddy earned the MSA fast qualifier honors with a new Beaver Dam Raceway 360 Sprint Car track record lap of 12.945 seconds.

The MSA will return to action in conjunction with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Modifieds for the fifth annual Harry Neitzel Tribute Race on Friday, Sept. 3 at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis.

Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with engine warm ups at 6 p.m. and hot laps and qualifying to follow. Opening ceremonies are slated for 7:30 p.m.

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

Midwest Sprint Car Association
Beaver Dam Raceway
Beaver Dam, Wis.
August 28, 2021

QUALIFYING
1, Tim Haddy 12.945 2, Tyler Tischendorf 12.967 3, Adam Miller 12.974 4, Travis Arenz 13.017 5, Lance Fassbender 13.021 6, Justin Miller 13.025 7, Austin Hartmann 13.028 8, Alex Pokorski 13.057 9, Tyler Davis 13.102 10, Tony Wondra 13.104 11, Ben Schmidt 13.120 12, Jack Vanderboom 13.150 13, Kurt Davis 13.168 14, Matt Rechek 13.182 15, Danny Schlafer 13.194 16, Doug Wondra 13.214 17, Scott Conger 13.224 18, Bill Taylor 13.247 19, Justin Erickson 13.248 20, Will Gerrits 13.258 21, Brandon Berth 13.265 22, Tyler Brabant 13.318 23, Blake Wondra 13.340 24, Mike Decker 13.377 25, Cole Possi 13.409 26, Preston Ruh 13.465 27, Katelyn Krebsbach 13.524 28, Dylan Winkel 13.559 29, Alex Crimmings 13.570 30, Tristan Koenings 13.859 31, Tommy Colburn no time 32, Chance Ciskowski no time.

HEAT 1
1, Brandon Berth 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Tyler Brabant 4, Justin Erickson 5, Dylan Winkel 6, Doug Wondra 7, Alex Crimmings 8, Preston Ruh.

HEAT 2
1, Travis Arenz 2, Austin Hartmann 3, Justin Miller 4, Adam Miller 5, Jack Vanderboom 6, Tony Wondra 7, Scott Conger 8, Matt Rechek.

HEAT 3
1, Bill Taylor 2, Tyler Davis 3, Blake Wondra 4, Tyler Tischendorf 5, Katelyn Krebsbach 6, Will Gerrits 7, Alex Pokorski 8, Tommy Colburn.

HEAT 4
1, Kurt Davis 2, Danny Schlafer 3, Lance Fassbender 4, Tim Haddy 5, Cole Possi 6, Mike Decker 7, Tristan Koenings 8, Chance Ciskowski.

B MAIN
1, Jack Vanderboom 2, Tim Haddy 3, Justin Erickson 4, Tony Wondra 5, Cole Possi 6, Scott Conger 7, Alex Crimmings 8, Will Gerrits 9, Matt Rechek 10, Mike Decker 11, Doug Wondra 12, Preston Ruh 13, Tristan Koenings 14, Chance Ciskowski 15, Tommy Colburn 16, Alex Pokorski (DNS).

A MAIN
1, Travis Arenz 2, Kurt Davis 3, Danny Schlafer 4, Ben Schmidt 5, Blake Wondra 6, Tyler Tischendorf 7, Lance Fassbender 8, Justin Miller 9, Justin Erickson 10, Adam Miller 11, Jack Vanderboom 12, Tony Wondra 13, Dylan Winkel 14, Katelyn Krebsbach 15, Cole Possi 16, Tyler Davis 17, Bill Taylor 18, Scott Conger 19, Brandon Berth 20, Austin Hartmann 21, Tyler Brabant 22, Tim Haddy.

August 29, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson

Pedal Down Promotions author Verdegan announces ‘5-10-32 – McBride, Parker & Anvelink’ holiday book tour

Verdegan’s seventh book tour hosts dates in Shawano, Outagamie ad Brown Counties

(Dunbar, WI) August 26, 2021 – Motorsports author and Green Bay, Wis. native Joe Verdegan has announced a six-date book tour in December 2021 to promote his seventh book titled “5-10-32 – McBride, Parker & Anvelink,” which will feature the trio of Northeast Wisconsin dirt late model icons.

Those icons featured in the book are M.J. McBride from Shawano, Pete Parker from Kaukauna and Terry Anvelink from Navarino.

“5-10-32 – McBride, Parker & Anvelink” will be the fourth book Verdegan has penned with Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wis. The book launch is set for Saturday, Dec. 4 from noon to 3 p.m. at Lenny’s Tap in Green Bay, Wis.

From there the book tour travels through a handful of communities in Shawano and Outagamie Counties. On Tuesday, Dec. 7, the tour stops at the Lighthouse Bar & Grill in Shawano, Wis. (one of McBride’s longtime sponsors) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Two nights later, Thursday Dec. 9 the tour swings into Anvelink’s hometown of Navarino for a stop at Peppermint Josie’s from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Peppermint Josie’s is formerly Walt’s Bar, which was a longtime sponsor of Anvelink’s.

On Saturday, Dec. 11, Hustle Inn in Seymour, Wis. will host a signing from noon to 3 p.m. The local watering hole has always been a longtime favorite of Seymour race fans and drivers alike.

The tour’s fifth stop is set for Club 117 in Bonduel, Wis. Thursday, December 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Club 117 is a supporter of local racing including both Shawano Speedway and second-generation racer Nick Anvelink.

The six-date tour wraps up where it started in Green Bay Saturday, Dec. 18 at Bosse’s News Stand from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

VERDEGAN’S PRIOR TITLES

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

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

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

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

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

Publisher – M and B Global Solutions

2018 – “The Bird & The Bear”

Publisher – Pedal Down Promotions

2019 – “Racing In The 906”

Publisher – Pedal Down Promotions

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

Publisher – Pedal Down Promotions

August 27, 2021 / by Jeff Pederson