By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 4, 2019 – Paul Pokorski and his Pokorski Motorsports team turned the first doubleheader weekend of Midwest Sprint Car Association racing action of the 2019 season into a pair of solid top-10 A-main finishes at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, June 1 and Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, June 2.
On Saturday, June 1, the Pokorski Motorsports team was among 35 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car entries registered to do battle on the well-manicured third-mile clay oval.
The evening began with Pokorski starting fifth in the third PDTR 360 Sprint Car heat race. On the drop of the green flag, Pokorski passed Brandon Berth to move into fourth on the opening lap. On lap 4, Pokorski slipped past Tony Wondra to move into third. Two laps later, Pokorski was closing in on the second-place car of Spyder Akright when the first caution of the event appeared on lap 7 for Akright’s stalled car in turn two.
After restarting second, used a low move to wrestle the top spot away from Josh Teunissen in turn two on lap 8 en route to his first heat race victory of the 2019 season.
Pokorski rolled out for the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main from the eighth starting spot. After maintaining his eighth position throughout the first 14 laps of the event, Pokorski moved into seventh on lap 15 when Lance Fassbender dropped out of the event.
Following a caution period on lap 18 for Travis Arenz’ stalled car, Pokorski had his hands full over the final seven laps as he slipped back two spots to end up ninth at the finish line in a race won by Kevin Karnitz.
“Saturday night went pretty well,” Pokorski said. “The heat race was great. The car worked awesome. Unfortunately, we were not able to get it to repeat for the A main. We made very few changes, but the car wasn’t the same. We still ended up okay though.”
Pokorski ventured to the first of three scheduled 2019 MSA events at the Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie on Sunday, June 2 with 31 cars signed in for the evening.
A poor pill draw put Pokorski in the eighth starting spot in the second MSA heat race. After passing Tyler Davis to move into seventh on lap 1 Pokorski worked the low groove to pressure Bill Taylor for sixth starting on lap 6. On the following circuit, Pokorski pulled off a slide job entering turn one to briefly take sixth. However, Taylor and Pokorski made contact in turn two, which resulted in Taylor flipping to bring out the red flag.
After heading to the work area, Pokorski restarted the race in seventh before passing Tyler Davis again on lap 8 to secure sixth in the event and a spot in the evening’s B main.
Pokorski started second next to polesitter Danny Schlafer in the 15-lap B Main. The 2014 MSA Masters Series champion maintained the runner-up spot throughout the event to nail down the 18th starting spot in the A main.
A bold move in the first turn of the 25-lap main event vaulted Pokorski to 13th at the completion of lap 1 in the caution-plagued race. After running just outside the top 10 for most of the event, Pokorski passed Will Gerrits, Chris Clayton and Tim Haddy to move into eighth.
The fourth and final caution flag on lap 19 for Josh Walter’s spin in turn two resulted in one more restart, which saw Pokorski lose ground to Ben Schmidt in Randy Sippel’s 39s car and Tim Haddy in the closing laps on the way to a 10th-place finish in a race won by Travis Arenz.
“Sunday night at Angell Park was a struggle,” Pokorski said. “I love the history of Angel Park Speedway, but hate the results we’ve had there over the years. It’s a pretty tight little place and stuff happens quickly. That resulted in issues in the heat race and the A main. Despite all of that, we finished pretty well for starting 18th.”
According to Pokorski Motorsports Crew Chief Dave Schultz, the top-10 finish in the A main would likely not have been possible without the assistance of a fellow racing team.
“We are thankful for the generosity of Lloyd Dykstra and the No. 21 and No. 99 NAPA MSA teams for fixing a shock mount on our car between the B Main and the A main,” Schultz said. “Their efforts are greatly appreciated.”
The Pokorski Motorsports team will return to action this Saturday, June 8, at The Plymouth Dirt Track in an all open wheel show featuring the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, PDTR 360 Sprint Cars and Badger Midgets. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Sponsors for the 2019 Pokorski Motorsports team are Hopf Farms, Petersen Septic Systems, Gasroots Project, Quest Engineering Inc., Acme Armature Works Inc., Goeden’s Auto Body, Goodwin Racing Engines, Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Novak’s Service Center, Pedal Down Promotions, Tisler Salvage Inc., Allied Bearing Corporation and The Cawley Company.
For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.
Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Goeden’s Auto Body
As one of Pokorski Motorsports’ longest-running and most-valued sponsors, 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 offers classic vehicle restoration and rust repair. In addition, it 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 Auto Body tradition, free loaner cars are also available.
“At Goeden’s Auto Body, we were born to perform,” Dave “Dusty” Goeden, Goeden’s 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’s Auto Body, call 262-334-2759 or e-mail goedenauto@gmail.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.
2019 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule.
Saturday, June 8 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, June 15 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Friday, June 21 – Spring Lake Speedway, Unity, Wis.
Saturday, June 22 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Friday, June 28 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
2019 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers
Total Events – 6
MSA events – 5
IRA events – 1
A Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 4
Heat Race Victories – 1