Promising night headed off for Pokorski Motorsports

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 5, 2016 – For the second weekend in a row, Paul Pokorski and his Pokorski Motorsports team did the double by entering back-to-back events at Manitowoc Speedway and The Plymouth Dirt Track Friday, July1 and Saturday, July 2.

On Friday night, Pokorski Motorsports took part in the final ever 410 Sprint Car race Manitowoc Speedway, as the Interstate Racing Association (IRA) Sprint Car Series rolled into town for the second and final Harbor Town Showdown.

Pokorski, who is a Manitowoc native, was the lone 360 Sprint Car entered in the 27-car IRA field at the Manitowoc Speedway, which will be demolished at the end of the season to make way for a grocery store. However, Pokorski held his own against the high-horsepower competition throughout the night.

After qualifying 25th, Pokorski started ninth and finished ninth in the first IRA heat race of the evening. Due to attrition during hot laps, qualifying and heat race action, Pokorski took the green flag for the 30-lap IRA A main event from the 24th starting position.

Pokorski got off to a strong start in the opening laps as he used the high groove to pass Scott Uttech on lap 1 and pressured Russel Borland for position on lap 2. The West Bend racer nearly got past Johnny Fahl along the low line on lap 5 before race leader Brandon Wimmer swept past to put the familiar blue No. 4 Maxim one lap down.

On lap 9, the first yellow flag of the event appeared when Kris Spitz stopped on the track. On the restart, Pokorski started directly behind the leaders in the running order with Uttech one spot back.

After another caution for Mike Reinke’s spin on lap 13, Uttech snuck past Pokorski on lap 19. Pokorski held solid over the final 11 laps to post a respectable 19th place finish.

“Friday night was great,” Pokorski said. “We tried some different set-up ideas that really seemed to work well. We were as competitive as we could expect to be against the IRA cars.”

On Saturday night, the team returned to The Plymouth Dirt Track for PDTR Sprint Car action, which drew a stout field of 32 Sprint Cars.

Pokorski started third and placed second behind Spyder Akright in the fourth Sprint Car heat race to earn a spot in the 22-car A main field.

What looked to be a banner night, turned quickly into disappointment for team in the A main.

Pokorski rolled off third in the scheduled 25-lap Sprint Car A main and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the early going. After working past polesitter Anthony Knierum on lap 3, Pokorski set sail for leader Al Schlafer, who had separated himself from the rest of the field from his outside front row starting spot.

Pokorski closed the gap quickly before diving low on lap 9 to slip underneath Schlafer along the frontstretch. However, seconds later Schlafer made contact with the lapped car of Nich Melis in turn one, which sent Schlafer flipping to bring out a red flag.

Set to restart in the lead, disaster struck for Pokorski when the cars were pushed off under caution. A header gasket failure caused a fire to erupt on the right side of the engine of Pokorski’s machine. He pulled the car into the infield and was able to exit the car unscathed. However, his bid for victory had vanished in the flames.

Left to watch the remainder of the race from the infield, Pokorski was credited with a 21st place finish in the shortened 17-lap race, which ended early due to the 25-minute time limit with Tim Haddy notching the victory.

“Saturday night was going well right up until the restart of the A main,” Pokorski said. “I could hear the exhaust leak as soon as we pushed off for the feature, but obviously had no idea how bad it was. The fire damaged the hood, some plug wires, gauges and the air cleaner.”

While the fire looked scary to spectators, Pokorski downplayed the severity of the incident.

“I’ve had a few flash fires before, and this one really wasn’t too bad either,” Pokorski said. “Luckily, I was out of the car in plenty of time.”

This Friday night July 8, the Pokorski Motorsports team will compete in a Midwest Sprint Car Association Sprint Car event at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam. However, the team will not be in action on Saturday night at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

“We will be ready for Friday night and are looking forward to going to Dodge County,” Pokorski said. “Saturday my niece is getting married, so we will not be at Plymouth. I’ll be praying for rain!”

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 Signs and Goodwin Racing Engines for helping to get the team’s new 2016 Maxim on the track this season.

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 Signs and Tisler Salvage Inc.

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, July 8 – Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway-Beaver Dam (MSA)
Friday, July 15 – Manitowoc Speedway (MSA)
Saturday, July 16 – Plymouth Dirt Track (MSA)
Saturday, July 23 – Plymouth Dirt Track (MSA)

2016 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers
Events – 12
A Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 2
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 5
Heat Race Victories – 3