(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 15, 2023 – Paul and Alex Pokorski enjoyed the type of night that will live long in the memories of family, friends team members, supporters and fans, as the father-son racing duo steered their Spyder Akright-owned 360 Sprint Cars to top-five showings in Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing - Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 12.
With 24 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars on hand, Alex Pokorski reeled off the fourth fastest qualifying time with a lap of 12.808 seconds around the third-mile semi-banked clay oval.
After lining up third in the second 10-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race, Alex dove low to pass front row starters Tony Wondra and Logan Julien and seize the early lead in turn two of the opening lap.
On lap 2, Ben Schmidt used the high groove to relegate Alex to second, which is where he finished the race to gain an A-main starting berth.
Alex rolled off third in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main and moved past outside front row starter T.J. Smith to assume second in turn one on the opening lap to trail his father, Paul, who led the first five laps of the race from the pole.
On lap 4, Brandon McMullen powered around Alex to push the No. 4 Akright Auto car back to third in the running order. On lap 10, Ben Schmidt bolted past Alex to drop the West Bend driver back to fourth.
The first of two caution flags appeared on lap 15 when Justin Erickson spun in turn four. After the restart, T.J. Smith pulled off a slide job to briefly seize fourth from Alex. However, the fourth-year Sprint Car racer battled back to return the slide job favor and regain fourth in turn four on lap 16.
Alex held on through a lap 21 caution and heavy lapped traffic in the closing stages of the race to record a fourth place finish, which marked his ninth top-five and 17th top-10 finish in 18 2023 MSA A-main events.
“Qualifying and the heat race both went well,” Alex said. “When you start a race up front, the initial thought is always to keep yourself in contention for the win. I thought the race went well, but I didn't quite have the edge to beat the guys in front of me, one of them being my dad [Paul Pokorski]. It was fun to race with him and to have both of us finish in the top five. That's not something everyone gets to do. I enjoyed the night, even though he ended up beating me. I'm looking forward to finishing out the season strong with the team.”
In his sixth appearance of the 2023 season in Spyder Akright’s 53A car, Paul Pokorski began the night by qualifying 13th overall with a lap of 13.109 seconds.
After starting fifth in the second 10-lap PDTR-MSA heat race, Paul used a low move on lap 3 to work past Tony Wondra to take fourth. Two laps later, Paul maneuvered around Logan Julien to take third, which is where he finished.
Following the calculation of the heat race passing point formula and subsequent A-main inversion draw, Paul lined up on the pole of the 25-lap main event. The 31-year 360 Sprint Car and Winged Super Modified racing veteran bolted into the lead on the drop of the green flag and paced the first five laps before Brandon McMullen shot past along the outside groove to take over the lead in turn one on lap 6.
Paul maintained the runner-up spot until lap 12 when Ben Schmidt worked his way past to move Pokorski back to third. Paul worked the preferred outside groove to hold strong through a pair of caution flags and thick lapped traffic during the second half of the race on the way to a strong third place podium finish in a race won by Brandon McMullen.
It was Paul’s first top-five A-main finish and second top-10 main event showing in six 2023 appearances in Spyder Akright’s 53A machine.
“I was a little disappointed in my qualifying effort,” Paul said. “I thought the car was just a tick better than that. I was following another car in qualifying and got held up just a little bit on the entry to a corner or two and I think that probably cost us a little. In the end, it worked out as we passed a few cars in the heat race. The car felt pretty good. I think I’m finally starting to get comfortable with this car.
“When the invert put me on the pole for the A main, I got a little nervous,” he said. “I haven’t been nervous in a while. We made a fair amount of changes and I wasn’t sure it would be comfortable in the feature, so I was a little tentative at the start. Once we got a couple of laps in and the car felt good, the nerves certainly went away, and I had a good time. Even though I thought I was holding my own, I was pretty certain that Alex [Pokorski] would go past at some point. I knew from the scoreboard he was right behind me. You always want your kid to do good, but every once in a while, it’s nice to beat them too, so we’ll take it as a victory for the old guys. We’re both happy we could give Spyder [Akright] and the Akright Auto team a nice solid night for both of us. Needless to say, there were lots of smiles around the pit area after the race. When you had a good week and you’re looking forward to next week, it makes the work week go faster too.”
The next race for Alex Pokorski at the Akright Auto Racing Team is this Saturday, Aug. 19 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis., which will also feature the PDTR Grand Nationals and B Mods, along with an appearance from the Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series.
Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying set 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, Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.
Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase –
Petersen Septic Systems
Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are pleased to have Petersen Septic Systems on board as a returning sponsor for the 2023 racing season.
Since opening its doors in Valders, Wis. in 2012, Petersen Septic Systems LLC has provided premier septic tank service and the most reliable septic system installation and repair in Manitowoc and Two Rivers and the surrounding Lakeshore area.
“We offer our services to industrial, institutional, residential, new construction, commercial and municipal accounts,” Petersen Septic Systems Owner David Petersen said. “Customer service is our utmost priority. We do every job as it was in our own homes. Our experience is second to none in the area. Prior to opening the business, I worked for Tuschl Septic Systems from 2004 until owner Chuck Tuschl retired.”
The list of regular services Petersen Septic Systems offers includes septic pump repairs, test drilling/test boring, sewage treatment systems, septic tank removal, septic tank installation, water line repair, oil testing and perc testing.
“We provide all of these services in Manitowoc County and the surrounding areas,” Petersen said. “We are OSHA certified and are licensed MPRS/CST966051.”
Petersen Septic Systems is located at 7334 Nagel Road in Valders, Wis. For more information, call 920-323-2640, email petersenseptic@gmail.com or visit www.petersensepticsystems.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 Remaining Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 19 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Friday, Aug. 25 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 26 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.
Friday, Sept. 1 – Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, Beaver Dam, Wis.
Saturday, Sept. 2 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Sept. 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 18
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 9
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 17
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 18
Heat Race Victories – 2
Fast Qualifier Awards – 1
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 6
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 2
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 3
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Article Credit: Jeff Pederson - Pedal Down Promotions
- Jeff Pederson on Aug 16, 2023
- Article Date: 8/16/2023