Alex Pokorski posts 10thtop-10 showing of 2023 MSA campaign
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 4, 2023 – While negotiating the challenges of an uncharacteristically fast and uneven track surface, Alex Pokorski steered the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team car to a solid sixth place showing in the 25-lap Scott Semmelmann Memorial Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 1.
Pokorski opened the night with another strong qualifying effort as he turned in the second fastest overall lap in the 25-car field, which clocked in at 12.412 seconds around the third-mile semi-banked clay oval.
The fourth-year 360 Sprint Car competitor then lined up fourth in the third 10-lap PDTR-MSA heat race and worked his way past Tristan Koenings with a low move in turn four on lap 8 to secure a third place finish.
The West Bend, Wis. driver started third in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA headliner and fell back to fifth on the opening lap as Logan Julien and Brandon McMullen snuck past. After a caution flag appeared on lap 2 for an incident involving Ryan Sawusch, Pokorski dropped to sixth when Robbie Pribnow moved by on lap 5.
After another caution flag was displayed on lap 11 when Tommy Colburn stopped on the backstretch. Pokorski advanced to fifth by passing T.J. Haddy on lap 12. The restart saw Pokorski drop back to seventh when Shane Wenninger and Kurt Davis moved past.
However, Pokorski rebounded to work underneath Davis to regain sixth on lap 23. The recent MSA Dodge County Fairgrounds A-main winner held on to claim a sixth place finish and secure his 10th top-10 main event showing in 11 2023 MSA events in a race won by Ben Schmidt.
“It was a bit frustrating to be second quick again in qualifying,” Pokorski said. “Maybe we can get that $75 one of these weeks. The car was good in the open track, but needs to be more maneuverable when racing near others. We will have to make some changes to our heavy track set up to find something that works for us.
“I think we can be in the top five every week, so I’m aiming to be back there next week,” he said.
Paul Pokorski also entered his fourth PDTR-MSA event of the 2023 season in the seat of Spyder Akright’s 53A car. The 31-year veteran opened the night by qualifying sixth overall with a lap of 12.455 seconds.
The 2014 MSA Masters Series champion started second in the first 10-lap PDTR-MSA heat race and fell back to fourth as Robbie Pribnow and Ben Schmidt advanced past. On the final lap of the race, the rear end assembly of the West Bend, Wis. driver’s car failed, resulting in a sixth place finish before his car rolled to a stop on the back stretch following the checkered flag.
The Akright Auto Racing Team pit crew worked to replace the rear end in time for the 25-lap PDTR-MSA A main, but they were unable to complete the needed repairs in time for Pokorski to join the main event field.
“I was reasonably happy with the car and qualifying,” Paul Pokorski said. “We had made some significant set-up changes and tweaked some driver comfort things over the past week, and it all seemed to be going in the right direction. The heat race was going okay, until the rear end broke when something in the ring pinion broke loose. It broke suddenly, and I had no idea that it was coming. That ended our run.
“The crew made an attempt to get a change, but we had a couple of snags with the swap and we were about five minutes short of making it,” he said. “I appreciate all their hard work and effort in the heat to try and get me back out, but it wasn’t meant to be. We’ll be back at it next week.”
Both Alex and Paul Pokorski will again be in action with the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars this Saturday, July 8 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. with the Grand Nationals, B Mods and Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series also on the card.
Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.
Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2023 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Mulch Express of Wisconsin, Countryside Designs, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, Homestead Auto, Cedar Valley Hunt Club, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.
Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase –
Goeden Auto Body
Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are pleased to have Goeden Auto Body as a returning sponsor for the 2023 racing season.
Located at 2417 Highway 28 East in Kewaskum, Wis., Goeden Auto Body has been in business since 1971. In 2015, David “Dusty” Goeden took over ownership of the family-owned business.
Goeden Auto Body specializes in quality, top-notch auto body repair, with a focus on collision work. Goeden also offers classic vehicle restoration and rust repair. In addition, it will work with all insurance companies. Goeden 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 Auto Body, we were born to perform,” Dave “Dusty” Goeden, Goeden 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 Auto Body, call 262-334-2759 or e-mail goedenauto@gmail.comor visit https://goedenauto.com.
Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Akright Auto
Located at 106 North Bluebird Lane in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Akright Auto has served as a reliable source for auto parts since 1940.
With a highly trained staff of auto parts professionals, Akright Auto is well prepared to assist customers with vehicle repair needs with a wide assortment of affordable, high-quality auto parts available on site. If a part is not available, Akright Auto offers next-day delivery services.
In addition, Akright Auto provides full auto salvage services, along with a 90-day standard warranty on all parts purchases.
Contact Akright Auto by phone at 920-467-4201, toll free at 800-400-4201, via email at dakright12@gmail.com or visit www.akrightauto.com.
For more information on Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pokorskimotorsports or visit www.pedaldownpromo.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.
Alex Pokorski – Akright Auto Racing Team
2023 Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, July 8 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, July 15 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Sunday, July 16 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.
Saturday, July 22 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 11
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 6
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 10
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 11
Heat Race Victories – 2
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 4
Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
