Pokorski Motorsports rides rollercoaster in MSA twinbill

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 3, 2016 – Paul Pokorski and his Pokorski Motorsports team lived on opposite sides of the success spectrum in Midwest Sprint Car Association doubleheader action last weekend at the Manitowoc Speedway and the Plymouth Dirt Track.

After rain washed out the previous week’s action at the Plymouth Dirt Track, the Pokorski Motorsports team was eager to get back in the groove for the fourth of six scheduled Midwest Sprint Car Association events in the final season of racing at the Manitowoc Speedway on Friday, July 29.

With 20 cars in the MSA pit area, the evening got off to a fast start for Pokorski, who started on the pole of the third Sprint Car heat race. Pokorski, who grew up in Manitowoc, bolted into the lead on the drop of the green flag and wasted no time in building up a half straight lead before a caution flag appeared on lap 5 for the stalled car of Samantha Portschy.

On the restart, found Manitowoc Speedway Sprint Car point leader Kurt Davis on his tail tank with Donny Schlafer in tow. With the top two winningest drivers in MSA history lurking behind him, Pokorski was up to challenge as he pulled away over the final three laps to post his fourth heat race victory of the season.

After rolling off from the sixth spot in the 20-lap Sprint Car A main event, Pokorski dropped back to seventh in the early going before his car roared to life on the dry-slick track surface on the way to the front of the field.

On lap 3, Pokorski worked past Kurt Davis and Doug Wondra with a strong move along the preferred high groove. Pokorski held strong in the fifth position until lap 16, when he powered past Danny Schlafer with a well-executed slide job in turn two to move into fourth place.

Pokorski was not done yet as he worked the low line to slip past Anthony Knierim in turn four on lap 18. The 2014 MSA Masters Series champ cruised over the final two laps to notch a solid third place finish behind runner-up Justin Miller and race winner Lance Fassbender.

The team entered action on Saturday, July 30 at the Plymouth Dirt Track hoping to duplicate the success of the previous night at Manitowoc. However, that was not to be as things went sour quite quickly.

With a stout field of 32 MSA Sprint Cars signed in, Pokorski started sixth in the fourth Sprint Car heat race. At the halfway mark of the race, Al Schlafer flipped his car going into turn three. A delayed caution flag, several cars were forced to check up quickly as the leaders approached the accident scene.

As a result, Pokorski was unable to avoid contact with Kevin Karnitz, who had to get on the brakes hard as the field approached Schlafer’s disabled car. The contact resulted in a broken shock mount and bent radius rods on Pokorski’s car, which forced him to retire from the race. He was credited with a sixth-place finish.

“We were running just before the halfway mark and Al Schlafer flipped going into turn 3,” Pokorski Motorsports Crew Chief Dave Schultz said. “A very delayed red flag was called well after the leaders had gone through the start/finish line and were around turns one and two. Some drivers had to stomp on the brakes to keep from passing the red.

“Unfortunately, when that happened Paul got into Kevin Karnitz, which resulted in some damage,” he said. “A big ‘thank you’ should go out to Lance Fassbender for helping us make repairs and for welding the left front shock mount.” The tough luck in the heat race forced Pokorski to start 12th in the 16-car B main field. Pokorski managed to move up to finish ninth in the race, three spots out of a transfer position. “Paul had to check up for a number of cars in the B main,” Schultz said. “The field just got too stretched out to make the ground back up that was necessary. “It was certainly a tough night, but we will bounce back,” he said. “We’ve done it before.” Another doubleheader weekend of MSA action is scheduled to kick off this Friday, Aug. 4 at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam. On Saturday night, the team will return to the Plymouth Dirt Track. Both nights will also feature the Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series.

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

Friday, August 5 – Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam (MSA)

Saturday, August 6 – Plymouth Dirt Track (MSA)

Saturday, August 13 – Plymouth Dirt Track (MSA)

Sunday, August 14 – Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie (MSA)

Saturday, August 20 – Plymouth Dirt Track (MSA)

2016 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers

Total Events – 17

MSA events – 14

IRA events – 3

A Main Victories – 0

Top Five A Main Finishes – 4

Top 10 A Main Finishes – 8

Heat Race Victories – 4