(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 28, 2019 – For the first time in nearly two years, Paul Pokorski and his Pokorski Motorsports team found themselves watching a Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main rather than in the thick of the action on Saturday, May 25 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.
After breezing through a very clean 2018 campaign, during which he completed every lap of every race and qualified for all 23 MSA A-mains, Pokorski failed to qualify for an A-main for the first time since magneto issues forced the Pokorski Motorsports team to scratch from a Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car program at The Plymouth Dirt Track on June 17, 2017.
With 38 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Cars signed in for Pokorski Motorsports sponsor Pedal Down Promotions Night at The Plymouth Dirt Track, the forgettable night began with a unfavorable heat race draw, which saw Pokorski start fifth in the third Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car heat race.
A fast and tacky, but highly treacherous racing surface provided little opportunity for Pokorski to work his way up into an A-main transfer spot as he held on to place sixth in a heat race loaded with a host of top competitors.
Pokorski then lined up seventh in the second PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main needing to finish third to earn a spot in the 25-lap A main. On the opening lap, Pokorski dove low and advanced up several spots before contact with Will Gerrits sent the 27-year veteran spinning to a stop in turn two. The contact produced front-suspension damage, which brought Pokorski’s night to an early conclusion.
“Saturday was a tough night,” Pokorski said. “Competing against 35 to 40 cars a night, means everything has to go your way and the heavy track conditions made it hard to pass. In the B-Main, I just had an error in judgement, I guess. I thought that the 21 car [Will Gerrits] was going to push up off the bottom and open a door to squeeze under him. I realized too late that the opening I saw was closing and couldn't stop quickly enough. I was disappointed in myself as it took away any chance Will Gerrits or I had to make the main. Thankfully, the damage wasn't major. It was shocks and radius rods mostly.”
On Sunday, May 26, Pokorski made a late decision to compete in the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series event at the 141 Speedway in Francis Creek.
Pokorski began the evening by qualifying his 360 Sprint Car 24th in the 25-car IRA field with a lap of 12.581 seconds on the quarter-mile clay oval. The 2014 MSA Masters Series champion started and finished eighth in the second IRA 10-lap heat race to earn the 23rd starting spot in the 30-lap A main.
Pokorski worked the inside groove of the smooth, wide and slick track surface throughout the event to gradually advance his way through the field. After dropping back to 24th on the opening lap, Pokorski slipped past Brian Strane and Hunter Custer to secure 22nd on lap four.
On lap 5, Pokorski worked past Matt Wiese to move into 21st. Following a pair of caution flags, which resulted in Scott Biertzer and Joey Moughan retiring from the race, Pokorski restarted in 19th on lap 15. Pokorski moved up to 18th when Adam Miller left the race on lap 18 and restarted 17th following a caution flag on lap 20.
On lap 22, Pokorski powered past Nick Matuszewski to move into 16th place, which is where he finished in a race won by Bill Balog.
“Sunday night was fun,” Pokorski said. “The car felt really good and we did learn a couple of small things that we may use going forward. It was just a fun night and a great show to be a part of.”
The Pokorski Motorsports team is set to compete in an MSA doubleheader this weekend starting on Saturday, June 1 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. Hot laps will begin at 5:30 p.m. with racing slated to get under way at 6 p.m.
On Sunday, June 2, the team will make its first of three scheduled 2019 MSA appearances at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. with racing to follow.
“I’m looking forward to a better Saturday night at Plymouth this week,” Pokorski said. “I'm also excited to go back to Angel Park. The schedule is about to get hectic.”
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, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromo.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, June 1 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Sunday, June 2 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.
Saturday, June 8 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, June 15 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Friday, June 21 – Spring Lake Speedway, Unity, Wis.
Saturday, June 22 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
2019 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers
Total Events – 4
MSA events – 3
IRA events - 1
A Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0