(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 6, 2019 – After turning in one of their most consistently strong seasons in 26 years of racing last year, Paul Pokorski and the Pokorski Motorsports team did not skip a beat in the 2019 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car season opener at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 4.
Pokorski jump started his 27th season of racing action in impressive fashion leading the first 16 laps in the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main before registering a strong third-place showing.
“The car was really good all night,” Pokorski said. “I was very happy and it seems like we picked up right where we left off last year. That doesn't always happen.”
With a gigantic field of 39 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars checked in for the season opener, Pokorski drew the fifth starting spot in the fifth heat race. After a caution on lap 2, the 2014 Midwest Sprint Car Association Masters Series champion pulled off a daring slide job in turn three to work his way past Josh Walter and Brandon McMullen into third place on lap 3 of the 10-lap heat race.
After two more caution periods, Pokorski powered around Travis Arenz to secure second place on lap 4 and he held on over the final six circuits to place second behind race winner Jim Melis.
Starting on the outside of the front row, Pokorski utilized the high groove of the wide, smooth and slick track surface to bolt past polesitter Mike Yurmanovich into the lead at the start of the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main. The West Bend resident set a quick pace at the front of field in the opening laps until the first of two caution flags appeared on lap 2 for the stalled car of Nich Melis in turn four.
On the restart, Danny Schlafer, who was running second, spun in turn two to collect Kurt Davis, Al Schlafer, Bill Wenninger and Adam Miller. Extensive damage forced all five drivers to retire from the event.
Pokorski was again strong on the restart as he used the cushion to bolt away from the second-place car of Robbie Pribnow to build up a full-straightaway lead on lap 7. By lap 14, the inside groove of the track began to take rubber, which allowed the second-place car of Kevin Karnitz to make up ground on the high-riding Pokorski.
On lap 16, Karnitz dove low in turn four to seize the lead away from Pokorski along the inside lane. Travis Arenz followed Karnitz into second place on the next lap to relegate Pokorski to third in the running order. Pokorski held on the rest of the way to secure a third-place showing in the season-opening event behind runner-up Travis Arenz and race winner Kevin Karnitz.
“In the A main, the car was excellent and I thought that the top would be the place to be until the rubber came in,” Pokorski said. “I was expecting that, but when you're out front it's hard to figure out when it's the right time to change lanes. Sometimes being in second and chasing is a better place to be.
“About three laps before Kevin Karnitz passed me for the lead, I knew I was beginning to struggle a little bit in turns 3 and 4,” he said. “I should have taken that as a clue and moved down.”
Pokorski was encouraged by the large turnout of 360 Sprint Cars for the 2019 PDTR and Midwest Sprint Car Association season opener.
“The car count was pretty unbelievable and there are a few guys that weren't there on opening night,” Pokorski said. “Some of the guys that were there on opening night, aren't going to run every single night, but nonetheless I believe the car counts are going to be excellent at all of the MSA shows and the MSA rookie of the year battle should be fun to watch all year too.”
This Saturday May 11 the Pokorski Motorsports team will return to action at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. The event will again feature an early start time with spectator gates opening at 3:30 p.m. and racing scheduled to start at 5 p.m.
PDTR will honor police, fire and EMS personnel with free admission for all fans with proper credentials.
Sponsors for the 2019 Pokorski Motorsports team are Hopf Farms, Petersen Septic Systems, Gasroots Project, Quest Engineering Inc., Acme Armature Works Inc., Goeden's Auto Body, Goodwin Racing Engines, Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Novak's Service Center, Pedal Down Promotions, Tisler Salvage Inc., Allied Bearing Corporation and The Cawley Company.
For more information on Pokorski Motorsports throughout the off season, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromotions.com.
Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Goeden’s Auto Body
As one of Pokorski Motorsports’ longest-running and most-valued sponsors, Goeden’s Auto Body, located at 2417 Highway 28 East in Kewaskum, has been in business since 1971. In 2015, David “Dusty” Goeden took over ownership of the family-owned business.
Goeden’s Auto Body specializes in quality, top-notch auto body repair, with a focus on collision work. Goeden’s also offers classic vehicle restoration and rust repair. In addition, it will work with all insurance companies. Goeden’s Auto Body uses PPG paints and clear coats, offers towing services and a locked fenced storage area. Continuing the Goeden Auto Body tradition, free loaner cars are also available.
“At Goeden’s Auto Body, we were born to perform,” Dave “Dusty” Goeden, Goeden’s Auto Body owner said. “With over 50 years of doing business and our racing involvement on and off the track, we know how to treat our customers like winners. With every job, we push ourselves to improve our performance and deliver a winning product. We work with all insurance companies, provide free computerized estimates and loaner vehicles while we repair your vehicle. Give us a call when you need a tow or some auto body work. Remember you, not your insurance company, have the right to choose where to take your vehicle for repairs.”
For more information on Goeden’s Auto Body, call 262-334-2759 or e-mail goedenauto@gmail.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.
2019 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, May 11 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, May 18 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, May 25 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, June 1 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Sunday, June 2 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.
2019 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers
Total Events – 1
MSA events – 1
IRA events - 0
A Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Heat Race Victories – 0