By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 18, 2023 – Despite facing a few bumps in the road, Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team continued their focused, even-keel approach to the 2023 season by tallying two more top-10 A-main showings, during an Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Series doubleheader weekend of competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 15 and Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, July 16.
On Saturday, July 15, a stout field of 27 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-MSA 360 Sprint Cars signed in for Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Night at The Plymouth Dirt Track. Pokorski opened the proceedings by clicking off the second-fastest group qualifying lap of 12.818 seconds, to end up just .001 of a second behind fast qualifier Kurt Davis.
The fourth-year 360 Sprint Car competitor then lined up third in the first 10-lap PDTR-MSA heat race and fell back to fourth when Kurt Davis moved by on the opening circuit. Pokorski held on the rest of the way to collect a fourth place showing.
After the passing points and inversion draw was completed, Pokorski began the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main from the 14th starting position. The West Bend, Wis. driver attempted to utilize the high and wide cushion in the early going, which saw him get crossed up in turn three on lap 2 to briefly fall back to 17th in the running order.
Pokorski had passed Doug Wondra and J.J. Pagel to move up to 15th when he lost control of his No. 4 machine in turn two, resulting in the car flipping on its side to bring out a red flag on lap 12. Following a trip to the work area, Pokorski returned at the rear of the field to roll off 21st on the following restart.
Pokorski passed Bill Taylor and Katelyn Krebsbach to move up to 19th before a string of four consecutive caution flags ground the race to a screeching halt on lap 19. The lengthy race was then ruled complete due to the 25-lap minute time limit when the fourth attempt to restart the race ended with a six-car incident in turn two.
When the scoring was sorting out from the four late-race mishaps, Pokorski was credited with a 10th place showing in a race won by Kevin Karnitz.
“Plymouth was a bit of a wild night,” Pokorski said. “Luckily, tipping the car didn’t do too much damage, and we could keep racing. We managed to salvage a 10th place finish out of a bad night.”
The Alex Pokorski Akright Auto Racing Team then turned their attention to an MSA event during Bryan Gapinski Tribute Night at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, July 16 where a total of 21 MSA 360 Sprint Cars were on hand.
The heat race draw format saw Pokorski start seventh in the first 10-lap MSA heat race. He managed to move up one spot by passing Eric Wilke on lap 2 to gain a sixth place finish.
Pokorski rolled off 14th in the 20-lap MSA main event and found himself up to ninth, following a pair of cautions on lap 2 for rookie T.J Haddy’s turn four spin and lap 7 when Clayton Rossmann spun in turn two in Nick Daywalt’s No. 66 car.
On the restart, Pokorski moved past Ben Schmidt on lap 8 to advance to eighth before Tommy Colburn hit the turn two wall to bring out a caution flag. After restarting seventh, Pokorski drove around Kurt Davis with a high move on lap 9 to gain sixth before Bill Taylor flipped on the front stretch to bring out the fourth stoppage period of the race on lap 10.
Pokorski fell back to seventh on the next restart and held the spot until lap 17 when rookie Logan Julien flipped in turn two. The final three laps saw Pokorski engage in a tight duel with rookie T.J. Smith for sixth with Pokorski edging out Smith by a half car length at the finish line to secure a sixth place finish in a race won by Brandon Berth.
The sixth place showing marked Pokorski’s 13th top-10 A-main finish in 14 MSA races during the 2023 season.
“On Sunday, we ran really well and made nice adjustments for the A main,” Pokorski said. “Our car was much better than last time at Angel Park. I think it was the best track we have had all year. It was a little rough, but it had multiple fast lanes, which made for good racing. I hope we can have more racing surfaces like that.”
Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team will return to PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car action this Saturday, July 22 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. with the Super Six Late Model Series, Grand Nationals and B Mods also on the card.
Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.
Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2023 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Mulch Express of Wisconsin, Countryside Designs, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, Homestead Auto, Cedar Valley Hunt Club, Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.
Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Goeden Auto Body
Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are pleased to have Goeden Auto Body as a returning sponsor for the 2023 racing season.
Located at 2417 Highway 28 East in Kewaskum, Wis., Goeden Auto Body has been in business since 1971. In 2015, David “Dusty” Goeden took over ownership of the family-owned business.
Goeden Auto Body specializes in quality, top-notch auto body repair, with a focus on collision work. Goeden also offers classic vehicle restoration and rust repair. In addition, it will work with all insurance companies. Goeden Auto Body uses PPG paints and clear coats, offers towing services and a locked fenced storage area. Continuing the Goeden Auto Body tradition, free loaner cars are also available.
“At Goeden Auto Body, we were born to perform,” Dave “Dusty” Goeden, Goeden Auto Body owner said. “With over 50 years of doing business and our racing involvement on and off the track, we know how to treat our customers like winners. With every job, we push ourselves to improve our performance and deliver a winning product. We work with all insurance companies, provide free computerized estimates and loaner vehicles while we repair your vehicle. Give us a call when you need a tow or some auto body work. Remember you, not your insurance company, have the right to choose where to take your vehicle for repairs.”
For more information on Goeden Auto Body, call 262-334-2759 or e-mail goedenauto@gmail.com or visit https://goedenauto.com.
Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Akright Auto
Located at 106 North Bluebird Lane in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Akright Auto has served as a reliable source for auto parts since 1940.
With a highly trained staff of auto parts professionals, Akright Auto is well prepared to assist customers with vehicle repair needs with a wide assortment of affordable, high-quality auto parts available on site. If a part is not available, Akright Auto offers next-day delivery services.
In addition, Akright Auto provides full auto salvage services, along with a 90-day standard warranty on all parts purchases.
Contact Akright Auto by phone at 920-467-4201, toll free at 800-400-4201, via email at dakright12@gmail.com or visit www.akrightauto.com.
For more information on Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pokorskimotorsports or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.
Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.
For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.
Alex Pokorski – Akright Auto Racing Team
2023 Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, July 22 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Friday, July 28 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, July 29 – Eagle River Speedway, Eagle River, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 5 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 14
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 6
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 13
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 14
Heat Race Victories – 2
Fast Qualifier Awards – 1
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 4
Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0