Pokorski team eyes silver anniversary season in 2017
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) November 1, 2016 – On the heels of two consecutive rock solid and highly successful campaigns, the recently completed 2016 racing season featured plenty of peaks and valleys for Paul Pokorski and his Pokorski Motorsports 360 sprint car team.
After capturing the Midwest Sprint Car Association Masters Series championship in 2014 and backing that up with a strong runner-up showing in the MSA series standings in 2015, Pokorski elected to park the team’s trusty 2011 J&J in favor of a brand new 2016 Maxim chassis.
The chassis change kept the team on its toes throughout a roller coaster 25-race 2016 campaign.
“Heading into 2016 with the new car, we knew that there would be a learning curve,” Pokorski said. “The learning curve was a little steeper than I thought it would be, but we are pretty happy with what we learned. I am glad that we found some consistency at the end of the year.”
In 21 MSA events, Pokorski posted five top-five finishes in A-main competition, along with 12 top-10 A-main finishes and seven heat race victories. The team also competed in four Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events, highlighted by a 19th-place A-main finish at the Manitowoc Expo Speedway, the team’s home track, on July 1.
The season marked just the third campaign since 1995 in which Pokorski failed to record an A-main victory.
The team’s best A-main finish of the 2016 season was a second-place showing at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam on July 8th.
“The highlight of the season for me was when we ran second at Dodge County,” Pokorski said. “That finish is something I would not have predicted for us at that track. We also had several good runs at Manitowoc. Smooth, dry, slick race tracks have never been my thing, so those nights when we can do well in those conditions are memorable for me. The final night at Plymouth was also a solid night on a slick track.”
The team also found itself in the thick of a championship points battle in the final season of Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car racing action at the Manitowoc Expo Speedway.
Pokorski entered the final race night ever at the Manitowoc Expo Speedway on Sept. 3 just three points behind 2015 MSA champion Brandon McMullen in the chase for the EWSC sprint car title.
After running in close quarters throughout the final A main event, McMullen came home seventh and Pokorski placed ninth, with McMullen prevailing to capture the track championship by a four-point margin over Pokorski.
“I was really happy to have a shot at the Manitowoc track championship, especially since it was the final season of racing there,” Pokorski said. “We had some good runs there leading up to that night, so I felt pretty confident we would go out and run well.
“The heat race was great,” he said. “We had to start 10th in the feature and I was fine with that. It became a little frustrating when I couldn’t go forward during the main. I could see Brandon was just in front of me and I noticed that he was also having trouble making up any ground. The carrot was out there and I just couldn’t grab it. That was frustrating. It still is.”
The 2016 season was also dotted by a handful of disappointments for Pokorski and his team.
“We had a header come loose causing a fire while we were leading a feature at Plymouth,” Pokorski said. “I really think it cost us a win that night. That was definitely the low point of the year.
“We got caught up in a few incidents around the end of July, beginning of August that were really not caused by us, which was a frustrating stretch,” Pokorski said. “When that type of thing happens, I just try to remind myself that when you race there are going to be those periods of bad luck, and it can always be worse. Luckily, we have people and parts in place to deal with a few bumps here and there.”
Despite missing a race at Plymouth to attend a wedding, Pokorski wound up sixth in the final MSA point standings and placed 11th in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing point standings.
Pokorski gave special recognition to his pit crew for their dedication during a challenging season.
“I want to thank Dave Schultz, Randy Leamer, Dan Hoerig and the rest of the crew for their support,” Pokorski said. “They always do a fantastic job.”
Pokorski would like to thank sponsors Goeden’s Auto Body, Goodwin Racing Engines, Jens, Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Services & Crematory, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Novak’s Service Center, Pedal Down Promotions, Christel Sign, Tisler Salvage Inc. and The Cawley Company for their support during the 2016 season.
The 2017 season will mark the 25th silver anniversary season of racing for Pokorski Motorsports.
“I am really looking forward to 2017,” Pokorski said. “It is going to be our 25th season of racing, which is a pretty big milestone. We are hoping to make it special for our fans and sponsors.”
Pokorski Motorsports is seeking sponsorship partners for the 2017 season. For information on how to join the team for its silver anniversary season, contact Paul Pokorski via the Pokorski Motorsports Facebook page or by email at pokorskiracing@sbcglobal.net.
Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Tisler Salvage
For the past 50 years, Tisler Salvage, located at 11530 County Road NN in Reedsville, has been your top source for used and aftermarket auto parts in the Manitowoc County area.
Tisler Salvage, which opened its doors in 1966, also buys scrap iron.
Contact Tisler Salvage by phone at 920-864-7631 or 920-732-3669, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Tisler Salvage can also be reached by email at sales@tislersalvage.com
Paul and the Pokorski Motorsports team would like to thank Gary and the folks at Tisler Salvage for their support over the years.
The Pokorski Motorsports sponsors for the 2016 season include: Goeden’s Auto Body, Goodwin Racing Engines, Jens, Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Services & Crematory, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Novak’s Service Center, Pedal Down Promotions, Christel Sign, Tisler Salvage Inc. and The Cawley Company.
For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromotions.com
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2016 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers
Total Events – 25
MSA events – 21
IRA events – 4
A Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 5
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 12
Heat Race Victories – 7