11/29/2023
Alex Pokorski
Breakthrough 2023 campaign vaults Alex Pokorski to most improved, top-five status
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) November 28, 2023 – In his fourth overall and second full-time season behind the wheel of a 360 Sprint Car, Alex Pokorski firmly established himself as a consistently strong, top-flight competitor in the Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car competition throughout the 2023 campaign.
Following an up-and-down debut season in the seat of the Spyder Akright-owned Akright Auto Racing Team No. 4 car, which saw him place 15th in the final MSA point standings and 14th in the PDTR points race in 2022, the West Bend, Wis. driver showcased his skills out right of the gate with a new Triple X chassis, fresh motor and updated equipment at his disposal in 2023.
While competing in all 24 events during the 2023 MSA-PDTR campaign, Pokorski earned his first career MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main victory at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, June 2, while notching a total of 12 top-five, 21 top-10 and 23 top-15 A-main showings. In addition, Pokorski tallied four heat race victories and two fast qualifier awards during the 2023 season.
After advancing from 14th in 2022 to fourth in the 2023 PDTR 360 Sprint Car point standings and moving up from 15th to fourth in the final 2023 MSA 360 Sprint Car Series points race, Pokorski claimed the 2023 Most Improved Driver Award in both PDTR and MSA competition.
In addition, Pokorski’s father, Paul, who wrapped up his stellar career as a regular full-time competitor at the conclusion of the 2021 season, returned to the cockpit on a limited basis in Spyder Akright’s 53A PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car. The 31-year veteran competed in 11 PDTR-MSA events during the 2023 campaign, posting one top-five, four top-10 and six top-15 A-main finishes to go along with one B main victory.
The highlight of Paul’s 2023 season was a third-place podium A-main finish at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Aug. 12. With Paul sharing driving duties with Spyder Akright, the 53A Akright Auto car finished 14th in the 2023 PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car point standings while competing in all 17 PDTR and 21 of 24 MSA events in 2023.
Alex Pokorski roared out of the gate to record a career-best equaling fifth place showing in the 2023 PDTR 360 Sprint Car season opener at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, May 6.
One week later, Pokorski charged from his 10th starting position to earn his first career A-main podium finish with a third place effort at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, May 13.
On Saturday, May 20, Pokorski was running second in A-main action when he was collected in an incident involving two slower cars. After the crew made repairs in the pit area, the fourth-year 360 Sprint Car racer rebounded to salvage a 14th place finish.
The Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team ventured to Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. for an MSA event on Saturday, May 27, which saw Pokorski pick up a ninth place showing.
The crowning achievement of Pokorski’s Sprint Car racing career thus far came six days later in an MSA event at the sprawling half-mile Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, June 2, as Pokorski led all 20 laps of the A main from the pole to notch his first career MSA A-main triumph.
Pokorski capped off a tripleheader weekend of action with a fifth place A-main showing at Plymouth on June 3 and a 10th place finish at Angell Park Speedway in Angell Park, Wis. on June 4.
After placing seventh in a PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main on June 10, Pokorski led the first 18 laps of the June 17 A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track before settling for a third place finish. He went one spot better on June 24 to record a second-place A-main showing at Plymouth.
Following a sixth place A-main showing at Plymouth on July 1, Pokorski tallied his first career fast qualifier award at Plymouth on July 8 before placing eighth in the main event.
After enduring a flip and several caution flags in A-main action at the Plymouth Dirt Track on July 15, Pokorski rallied to earn a 10th place showing before coming home sixth in MSA competition at Angell Park Speedway on July 16.
Alex then placed fifth at Plymouth on July 28 before recording a fourth place showing in the MSA’s first-ever appearance at Eagle River Speedway in Eagle River, Wis. on July 29.
On Aug. 5, Pokorski improved 10 spots in the main event, advancing from his 17th starting spot to place seventh in PDTR 360 Sprint Car action at The Plymouth Dirt Track.
Both Alex and his father, Paul Pokorski, enjoyed a memorable night on Aug. 12 at Plymouth as Paul led the first five laps from the pole before recording a strong third place A-main finish in Spyder Akright’s 53A car, while Alex followed close behind to finish fourth in the main event.
Paul and Alex recorded a pair of top-10 A-main showings at Plymouth on Aug. 19 with Paul placing ninth and Alex taking 10th. One week later, Alex finished third at Plymouth on Aug. 25 before rebounding from an early incident in the A main to place 14th in MSA A-main action at Wilmot Raceway on Aug. 26.
Alex placed fourth in A-main action at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway on Friday, Sept. 1 before leading the first eight laps and coming home second in A-main competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track during the annual Sheboygan County Fair on Saturday, Sept. 2.
The 2023 PDTR-MSA season came to a close with Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at Plymouth on Saturday, Sept. 30 as contact with the back stretch wall in the early stages of the A main ended Alex’s night early with a 21st place finish. The race marked the only time Alex failed to finish an A-main and his lone time placing outside of the top 15 in MSA 360 Sprint Car main event action during the 2023 campaign.
Alex Pokorski is grateful for the support of the team’s sponsors, crew members, family, friends and fans during the 2023 season.
“The 2023 season was a lot of fun,” Pokorski said. “I feel blessed to have had all the people around me who made it possible. I hope they all enjoyed it as well. We had a big improvement from last year, which got us up to a fourth place finish in MSA points. I will be back racing with Spyder and the Akright Auto Racing Team again in 2024. I’m really excited to have that opportunity again, and I am looking forward to improving further.
“Our plan for the 2024 season is to run the MSA schedule again and do a few 410 races as well,” he said.
After competing in just two 360 Sprint Car events in 2022, Paul Pokorski relished the opportunity to race Spyder Akright’s 53A car in 11 events during the 2023 season.
“The season was a lot of fun,” We all had a good time. The entire Akright Auto Racing and Pokorski Motorsports team is looking forward to 2024.”
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 4
Final 2023 Statistics
Total Events – 24
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
Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Points Finish – 4th
Midwest Sprint Car Association Points Finish – 4th
Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 11
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
PDTR 360 Sprint Car Points Finish co-driving with Spyder Akright – 14th
MSA 360 Sprint Car Points Finish co-driving with Spyder Akright – 14th
Article Credit: Jeff Pederson - Pedal Down Promotions
Submitted By: Jeff Pederson
