Alex Pokorski posts Plymouth-best runner-up showing in Cole Possi tribute race
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 27, 2023 – For the second straight week, Alex Pokorski kept his No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team machine locked at the front of the field on the way to a second place finish in the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association Cole’s Last Lap Tribute main event Saturday, June 24 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.
The evening honored the memory of PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car driver Cole Possi, who passed away in March. Members of the Upper Michigan-based Possi Racing team, family members, friends and supporters gathered at The Plymouth Dirt Track for the special event. In addition, Cole’s father, Earl, a former 360 Sprint Car competitor, strapped into Cole’s No. 39 to compete in the 22-car PDTR-MSA field.
Pokorski, who earned a third place podium finish in the June 17 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main at Plymouth, opened the night by qualifying eighth overall and fourth in his heat race group with a lap of 13.137 seconds.
After the West Bend, Wis. driver started on the pole of the second 10-lap PDTR-MSA heat race, outside front row starter Lance Fassbender used the preferred outside lane to power into the lead in turn two of the opening lap. Pokorski recovered in the closing stages of the race to move within striking distance of Fassbender before settling for a second place finish.
After the heat passing points were tallied and the inversion draw was completed, Pokorski rolled off from the pole position in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA A main. Rookie T.J. Haddy got the initial jump from his outside front row starting spot to relegate Pokorski to second on the first lap.
Following a lap 2 caution, Ben Schmidt maneuvered past Pokorski to push the fourth-year 360 Sprint Car competitor to third. Through the ebb and flow of three more caution flags, Pokorski dueled back and forth with Brandon Berth for second place before finally seizing the runner-up spot for good on lap 17 when Berth pushed high in turn two.
Pokorski reeled in Schmidt in the closing laps as the leaders worked through slower traffic. However, Pokorski was unable to mount a serious challenge for the top spot as he posted a Plymouth Dirt Track-best second place finish, which marked his fourth podium showing, sixth top-five and ninth top-10 finish of the 2023 campaign.
“We had another solid night all around,” Pokorski said. “It would’ve been nice to start on the outside lane for the start and a number of restarts in the feature. If we had maybe one or two more laps in the A main, I may have had a shot at winning. Regardless, I’m happy to be on the podium for two weeks running!”
Pokorski’s father, Paul, also entered his third PDTR-MSA event of the 2023 season behind the wheel of Spyder Akright’s 53A car. Paul opened the night strong by qualifying fourth overall and first in the second heat race grouping with a lap of 12.913 seconds.
After starting and finishing fourth in the second 10-lap PDTR-MSA heat race, Paul started from the 10th position in the 25-lap main event. The 31-year veteran endured four caution flags and the demands of a challenging, undulating track surface to post a 14th place A-main finish.
“The car was pretty good in qualifying,” Paul Pokorski said. “The last lap felt really good and I was very pleased with the result. We didn’t free the car up enough for the heat or the feature and it was a little bit of a handful. We’ll keep working at it this week and see if we can strike a better balance when I get back in the car this Saturday at Plymouth.”
Both Alex and Paul Pokorski will be in action with the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars this Saturday, July 1 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. for an all-open wheel program featuring the third 2023 Plymouth Dirt Track appearance of the 2023 season from the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, along with the IRA Lightning Sprints.
Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. hot laps set at 5:30 p.m. racing to follow.
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 –
Mulch Express of Wisconsin
The Alex Pokorski – Akright Auto Racing Team is excited to welcome Mulch Express of Wisconsin as a brand new sponsorship partner for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Based in Newton, Wis., Mulch Express of Wisconsin was founded in 2000 out of a desire to help control the cost and efficiency of installing mulch, bark, soil and playground chips. Over the course of the past 23 years, the specialty landscaping company has found its niche as the to-go mulching provider for municipalities, school districts, commercial businesses and residences throughout Northeastern Wisconsin. In addition, Mulch Express of Wisconsin has proudly served one of the top motorsports facilities in the world as the official mulch provider of Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. over the past two seasons.
As a former Wisconsin-based 360 Sprint Car competitor, Mulch Express of Wisconsin owner Russ Wetenkamp is thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team for the remainder of the 2023 Sprint Car campaign.
“We have a strong connection to Sprint Car racing after several years of competing in the 360 Sprint Car division with the number Gr8 car,” Wetenkamp said. “We feel Alex Pokorski is a good, up-and-coming 360 Sprint Car driver and a great individual to represent our Wisconsin-based specialty landscaping company.”
To contact or obtain additional information on Mulch Express of Wisconsin, call 920-726-4840, send an email to mulchexpressofwi@gmail.com or visit Mulch Express of Wisconsin on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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 1 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
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.
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 10
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 6
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 9
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 10
Heat Race Victories – 2
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 3
A 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
