9/6/2023
Alex Pokorski
Alex Pokorski records two top-five showings, leads laps heading into PDTR, MSA 360 Sprint Car finale
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 5, 2023 – With the end of the 2023 season in sight, Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing team deposited two more top-five showings, including a runner-up showing, while leading a total of 15 laps in the final Midwest Sprint Car Association-Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car doubleheader weekend of the season Friday, Sept. 1 at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. and Saturday, Sept. 2 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.
In addition, Paul Pokorski competed in both MSA events in Spyder Akright’s 53A car, highlighted by a strong top-10 showing at Dodge County.
Alex opened the sixth annual Harry Neitzel Tribute MSA event at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway on Sept. 1 by qualifying third overall in the 19-car field with a time of 19.406 seconds on the sprawling “horsepower half mile.”
After starting third in the second eight-lap MSA heat, Alex finished fourth before rolling off second in the 20-lap main event.
The fourth year competitor outpowered polesitter Brandon Berth to lead the first six laps before Kurt Davis got past on lap 7. After a pair of back-to-back caution flags on lap 12, Brandon Berth and Brandon McMullen worked their way past Pokorski.
Following two more caution flags in the closing three laps, Pokorski battled through the loss of brakes to post a fourth place finish behind third place finisher Scotty Neitzel in Lance Fassbender’s car, McMullen in second and race winner Brandon Berth.
“Our night at Dodge County went very well until I got to lap traffic and found out I had no brakes,” Alex said. “It made it difficult to run the bottom and navigate traffic. Luckily, we got a restart, which helped space things out, and we were able to finish fourth. I think we could've had a chance to win if I had brakes.”
One night later during the Sheboygan County Fair, Alex qualified fourth in the 27-car field with a time of 12.963 seconds before starting and finishing third in the third 10-lap PDTR-MSA heat race to earn a spot in the A main.
After the passing points formula calculation and inversion draw, Alex started on the pole and led the first nine laps before Brandon McMullen used a low move to assume the top spot. Alex held on the rest of the way to earn his sixth podium, 12th top-five and 21st top-10 showing of the 2023 MSA-PDTR season.
“Plymouth was a fun night,” Alex said. “We got to lead some laps in the feature again and ended up second. Brandon [McMullen] was just really good. If I had moved to the bottom a little sooner, I may have led some more laps, but the 98 car was still going to be tough to beat.”
Paul qualified 14th in the Harry Neitzel Tribute race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway on Friday, Sept. 1 in his first start at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in nearly three years with a lap of 19.779 on the half mile.
After starting and finishing seventh in the second eight-lap MSA heat race, Paul started the 20-lap Harry Neitzel Tribute race from the 15th position. The 31 year veteran drove a smooth and consistent race, while enduring four caution periods to advance eight spots to rack up a strong seventh place showing in a race won by Brandon Berth.
“It’s been a while since I did a doubleheader,” Paul said. “Friday night went surprisingly well at Dodge County, after having not been there in a while. We made some changes each time we hit the track and it got better as the night went on. I felt pretty comfortable and had a good time in the feature.”
On Saturday, Sept. 2, the 2014 MSA Masters Series champion qualified 16th among the 27 cars on hand with a time of 13.211 seconds before starting and finishing sixth in the third 10-lap PDTR-MSA heat race, to move on to the B main.
After starting on the pole, Paul led all 12 laps to record his first race victory of the 2023 season in the PDTR-MSA B main. The three-time Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified champion then placed 21st in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA A main, after starting 17th.
“Saturday night was a little bit more of a bumpy road at Plymouth,” Paul said. “We had a really fast group of cars in our qualifying session, so we ended up about where I expected. It was the same for the heat race. The car felt pretty good in the B, so I was optimistic about the feature. I was disappointed with our lack of performance in the feature. We’re still trying to figure out what we missed with regard to set up. It’s hard to believe another year is almost done!”
After three weekends off, Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team will be in action for the 2023 PDTR-MSA season finale as part of the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 30.
The Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars, Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprints will also be on the card for their 2023 season finales.
Pit gates open at 2 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4:30 p.m. and on-track action slated to begin at 5 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.
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.
Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase –
Novak’s 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 51st year in business in 2023.
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.
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.
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, Sept. 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 23
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 12
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 21
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 23
Heat Race Victories – 4
Fast Qualifier Awards – 2
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 10
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 4
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 6
Heat Race Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Article Credit: Jeff Pederson - Pedal Down Promotions
Submitted By: Jeff Pederson
