Pokorski Motorsports makes headway in MSA double shot
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 10, 2016 – As the 2016 racing season turns the corner and builds momentum toward the home stretch, Paul Pokorski and his Pokorski Motorsports team continue to search for the right combination to be a consistent threat at the front of the field.
Last week’s Midwest Sprint Association doubleheader at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam on Friday, Aug. 5 and The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, Aug. 6, saw the team make progress in certain areas, which it hopes will carry over during a busy August schedule.
On Friday, Aug. 5, Pokorski Motorsports was among 20 MSA sprint car teams that checked in to do battle at the high-speed horsepower half mile. After posting a season-best second place finish in the MSA’s last appearance at the Dodge County half mile, Pokorski drew the eighth starting spot in the second sprint car heat race. Following a good start, Pokorski passed Samantha Portschy and Dick Kaiser before the entrance to turn one on the opening lap.
On the second lap, Pokorski powered past Andrew Westphal in turn two to move into fifth place. As cars then began to spread out on the mammoth half-mile track, Pokorski held strong en route to a fifth place showing.
After starting fourth in the MSA A main, Pokorski stumbled a bit on the start, which allowed Tim Haddy to sneak by along on the frontstrech on the opening lap of the race.
Several laps later, Doug Pietz backed his car into the turn one outside wall to bring out the first caution of the event.
Luck was not on the team’s side on the ensuing restart, as two lapped cars restarted just in front of Pokorski along the low groove. In turn, this allowed Kurt Davis and Wayne Modjeski to work their way past Pokorski using the outside groove.
After a series of cautions and restarts, Pokorski held on to post an eighth-place showing in the final rundown behind race winner Tony Wondra.
“We did not run the same set up as when we finished second a month ago,” Pokorski Motorsports Crew Chief Dave Schultz said. “We had an eighth to 10th-place car in July, but with the crash on the frontstretch that took our two or three of the frontrunners, we got in the mix at the front of the field.
“Paul was not comfortable with the car that night and that is why we decided to run what we had brought there last fall in the J&J car,” he said. “They are two totally different cars, so that is why we needed to change other things as well. Paul tried everything to keep the car from darting back and forth in the corners, but was not really successful. We will bring a whole new set up to Dodge County in the fall.”
On Saturday night, the team headed back to the Plymouth Dirt Track where it hoped to improve on the previous week when it failed to earn a spot the main event.
Pokorski started sixth in the third MSA heat race and due in part to very dry, slick track conditions he was not able to make up any positions and wound up in sixth place.
Due to a healthy contingent of 34 MSA cars in the pit area, a two B main formula was used to determine the final six qualifiers for the A main.
Needing to finish third or better to qualify for the A main, Pokorski found himself starting in the fourth place in the second B main. In the opening laps, Pokorski was passed by Chris Clayton to fall to fifth place.
On lap four, Pokorski swooped up to the thick, high cushion where we quickly found his rhythm.
He passed Clayton for fourth on lap 5 and two laps later bolted around Jason Johnson to seize the all-important third place A main transfer position. Pokorski didn’t stop there though as he moved in to duel with Nich Melis for second. The two drivers battled side by side in the closing laps before Pokorski pulled ahead to secure a second-place finish.
After starting the A main deep in the pack from the 20th position, Pokorski again found the treacherous cushion to his liking. In the early stages of the race, Pokorski worked up five spots to grab 15th.
On lap 11, the ever-changing track surface started to take rubber on the bottom, which prompted Pokorski to fall in line down low. As the field ran in freight train formation during the second half of the race, Pokorski was relegated to running low.
With two laps to go in the 25-lap race, Pokorski moved into 12th place when Josh Teunissen briefly slipped out of the tacky rubber.
Pokorski held on to finish 12th, while Donny Goeden cruised to his fifth victory of the season at Plymouth.
This weekend brings another MSA doubleheader starting with the Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday night, which will feature Autograph Night and an extra $600 for the winner of the MSA A main.
On Sunday night, the MSA will make its first appearance at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie in eight years.
“We have only run at Angell Park once in 2008 for the ‘Wingless at the Prairie’ event in 2008,” Schultz said. “The feature was cut short just after halfway that night due to so many cautions.
“Many cars, including our car, did not finish that night,” he said. “Our frame was pretty much junk after missing the cushion in turns 3 and 4. Despite the trouble we had the last time we were there, I am optimistic going into Sun Prairie because I think Paul adjusts well to new tracks.”
Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday with racing to follow at 6 p.m. at the Plymouth Dirt Track. Saturday night is autograph night at the Plymouth Dirt Track and all kids are invited to stop in the Pokorski Motorsports pit area to pick up a signed Pedal Down Promotions Fast Track picture card and other goodies.
This Sunday at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing to follow.
Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Goeden’s Auto Body
| Goeden’s Auto Body, located at 2417 Highway 28 East in Kewaskum, has been in business since 1971. In 2015, David “Dusty” Goeden took over ownership of the family-owned business.
Goeden’s Auto Body specializes in quality, top-notch auto body repair, with a focus on collision work. Goeden’s also offer classic vehicle restoration and rust repair, and will work with all insurance companies. Goeden’s Auto Body uses PPG paints and clear coats, offers towing services and a locked fenced storage area. Continuing the Goeden’s Auto Body tradition, free loaner cars are also available. “At Goeden’s Auto Body, we were born to perform. 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.” – Dave “Dusty” Goeden, Goeden’s Auto Body owner. For more information on Goeden’s Auto Body, call 262-334-2759 or e-mail goedenauto@gmail.com. |
Pokorski Motorsports would like to direct special recognition to R&H Enterprises, Goeden’s Auto Body, Christel Sign and Goodwin Racing Engines for helping to get the team’s new 2016 Maxim on the track this season.
Goeden’s Auto Body and Christel Sign for making it look great, Goodwin Competition for the horsepower!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
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.pedaldownpromotions.com or call 920-323-7970.
2016 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, August 13 – Plymouth Dirt Track (MSA)
Sunday, August 14 – Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie (MSA)
Saturday, August 20 – Plymouth Dirt Track (MSA)
Wednesday, August 24 – Manitowoc Speedway (MSA)
Saturday, August 27 – Plymouth Dirt Track (MSA)
2016 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers
Total Events – 19
MSA events – 16
IRA events – 3
A Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 4
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 9
Heat Race Victories – 4