Paul Pokorski makes 2023 season debut
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 23, 2023 – It was a case of what might have been for Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team as what was shaping up to be a career-best A-main run ended up being derailed by a mid-race mishap in Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car main event competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 20.
An all-open wheel racing program, which also featured the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association and Badger Midgets, drew a field of 27 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars to the venerable third-mile clay oval, including Alex’s father, Paul, who made his first start in nearly a year behind the wheel of Spyder Akright’s 53A 360 Sprint Car.
Alex opened the night by qualifying sixth overall with a lap of 13.540 seconds, while Paul qualified 16th overall in 13.992 seconds.
Both Alex and Paul competed in the third 10-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car heat race with Alex rolling off third and Paul starting second. Alex advanced one spot to place second and Paul finished fourth as both Akright Auto Racing Team competitors earned transfer spots to the 25-lap 360 Sprint Car A main.
After starting fifth in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car main event, Alex used a strong start to move past Kurt Davis into third on lap 3. After a caution on lap 6 for a spin involving Travis Arenz, Alex bolted past Ben Schmidt to take over second on lap 7.
While the track started to lay rubber along the inside groove, Alex reeled in race leader Lance Fassbender as the leaders encountered lapped traffic on lap 12.
Just as Alex began to pressure Fassbender for the top spot, the lapped cars of Chris Larson and T.J. Haddy collided in front of the leaders in turn four. With nowhere to go, Alex was collected in the incident, forcing him to retreat to the work area for repairs.
After returning to the action in 18th place, Alex was able to pick up four spots over the final 10 laps to secure a 14th place finish a race won by Lance Fassbender.
“I think qualifying and the heat race both went well,” Alex said. “Having a good start to the night set us up well for the feature. The strategy for the feature is always to put yourself in a position where you have a chance to win. It was going well. I just got unlucky.
“A lapped car drove into the corner too hard and spun right in front of me,” he said. “I didn’t have any time to avoid the two cars that spun ahead of me, and we ended up wrecking a header and nerf bar. The crew got me back out right away, and I was able to work back past a few cars. It was difficult to pass at that point with the track taking rubber again.”
Paul lined up 15th in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main and came home with an 18th place finish in his first time in the driver’s seat since May 28, 2022.
“I was reasonably happy with qualifying and the heat race,” Paul said. “They went about as well as I would’ve expected after being out of the car for quite some time.
“For the feature, we knew the track would rubber up and that’s not my thing!,” he said. “I don’t have the patience to stay in line and ride and every time I tried to get out of line and make something happen, it just cost me spots. So, I was a little frustrated, but had some fun. I will be back in the car in two weeks on June 3rd for the Rayce Rudeen Foundation event at PDTR.”
The Alex Pokorski - Akright Auto Racing Team is set to travel to Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. for an Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Series event this Saturday, May 27, which will also feature the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Badger Midgets.
Pit gates open at 3 p.m., followed by spectator gates at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 6 p.m.
In his Wilmot Raceway debut during an MSA 360 Sprint Car event last August, Alex recorded a strong fourth place A-main showing.
“With Plymouth being off, we will be headed to Wilmot next week with the MSA,” Alex said. “I’m excited to go back there, after doing well last year.”
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, 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 –
Peterson Septic Systems
The Alex Pokorski - Akright Auto Racing Team is pleased to have Petersen Septic Systems as a returning sponsorship partner 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 Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, May 27 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.
Friday, June 2 – Dodge County Speedway, Beaver Dam, Wis.
Saturday, June 3 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 3
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 2
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 2
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 3
Heat Race Victories – 1
Fast Qualifier Award – 0
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 1
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 0
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0