(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 30, 2022 – Over the years, Wilmot Raceway has built a reputation as a somewhat acquired taste, and as a track where proven veterans often have a distinct advantage over relative newcomers.
However, third-year 360 Sprint Car driver Alex Pokorski certainly flipped that script by ripping off his best career Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main finish in his first-ever appearance at the third-mile clay oval in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 27, during the second half of a MSA doubleheader weekend of action.
Pokorski was quick right out of the gate behind the wheel of the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team 360 Sprint Car as he registered the fourth fastest overall time among the 29-car MSA group qualifying field with a lap of 14.068 seconds.
The West Bend driver rolled off from the pole position of the fourth eight-lap MSA heat race and bolted into the lead on the drop of the green flag and quickly built up a half-straightaway lead over defending MSA champion and current point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan. Pokorski held strong throughout the eight-lap event en route to his first heat race victory of the 2022 season.
On the strength of his strong performance in qualifying and heat race action, Pokorski started the 25-lap MSA A main presented by Adonnis Waterproofing and Foundation Repair of Caledonia, Wis. from the fourth starting spot. After holding the fourth spot in the early going, Brandon McMullen moved around Pokorski on lap 4 to drop him to fifth in the running order.
After a pair of cautions appeared on lap 5 and lap 14, Pokorski worked his way past Shane Wenninger and into fourth on lap 16. Over the final nine laps, Pokorski held strong in fourth despite feeling pressure at times from 2011 MSA champ Ben Schmidt and Tim Haddy in the closing stages of the race.
Pokorski went on to secure a fourth place showing to equal his previous career-best A Main showing, in a race won by Brandon McMullen. Pokorski’s previous best A-main finish was a fourth-place finish in a non-points MSA A-main event at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Oct. 2, 2021.
“The track was a nice change of pace,” Pokorski said. “The corners are a bit tighter and the straightaways are a little longer than Plymouth. The car was good all night. Starting on the front of a heat race always helps because you have clean air and track ahead of you.
“The A main was a fun race because the track had multiple lines to race on and we had a couple of restarts, which kept the field tightened up,” he said. “This season has been challenging and I’ve felt a bit unlucky at times. It felt like we got the monkey off our back a bit with a good finish, finally.”
One night earlier, Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team were in action with the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. for a special Friday night program on Friday, Aug. 26.
Pokorski opened the night by qualifying 22nd in the 24-car field with a lap of 13.841. After starting seventh in the first 10-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car heat race, Pokorski advanced past Doug Wondra in turn four on lap 3 and held on to finish sixth.
In the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, Pokorski rolled off from the 15th starting position and spent the majority of the race keeping up with the frantic pace set on the lightning fast and undulating track surface.
Pokorski held his own throughout the caution-free race en route to a 16th-place finish in a race won by Brandon McMullen.
Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are now set to compete in their second-to-last event of the 2022 season as part of an all-Sprint Car program featuring the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Cars and Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series on Saturday, Sept. 3 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. during the annual Sheboygan County Fair.
On-track action is set to begin at 5 p.m.
“We have two races left on our schedule at Plymouth this Saturday during the Sheboygan County Fair and then again at Plymouth on September 24th to close out the season,” Pokorski said. “We are looking forward to building off of the momentum of the good run we had at Wilmot and closing out the season on a strong note.”
Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2022 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak's Service Center, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.
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.
Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Novak Service Center
Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 50th year in business in 2022.
Novak’s Service Center is a locally-owned, second-generation, family-owned, five-bay auto repair center, which has been serving customers in the Lakeshore area since 1972.
Novak’s Service Center offers comprehensive auto repair services, including 4 x 4 services, brakes, car and truck care, domestic cars and trucks, electrical services, electronic services, engine and transmission, engine maintenance, expired warranty care, general service, heating and cooling services, import cars and trucks, quick lube services, tires, towing, transmission and undercar services.
Located at 1320 Washington St. in Manitowoc, Novak’s Service Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To schedule an appointment, call 920-684-5737 or visit www.novaks1320.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 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 12
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 5
Heat Race Victories – 1
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A/Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 2
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
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Upcoming Races
Saturday, September 3 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, September 24 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Plymouth, Wis.