(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) March 10, 2020 – For the first time in his career, veteran open-wheel competitor Paul Pokorski is set to share driving duties behind the wheel of the familiar blue No. 4 Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car during the upcoming 2020 season.
During his 28th season of competition, Pokorski will split seat time with his 21-year-old son Alex as he prepares to bring the curtain down on his long and successful tenure as an owner-driver at the conclusion of the 2020 season.
“Alex and I will split the season between us,” Pokorski said. “Together, we will race about 90 to 95 percent of the MSA schedule. We will miss a few weeks for family commitments. Since Alex is in college, and because I still want to race, I will start the season off. It will give me a chance to make sure things are in order before he gets in the car. Alex will drive most of June, July and August. I'll drive any races that conflict with his summer work schedule. I plan to run the last four or five races of the season.”
During the 2019 campaign, the West Bend competitor put together a pair of solid top-10 finishes in the Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car point standings.
In all, Pokorski recorded four top-five finishes and 12 top-10 A-main showings to go along with two heat race wins and one B-main triumph in 26 events during the 2019 season. Pokorski wound up fifth in the final MSA point standings and ninth in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car point standings.
Entering what looks to be a year of transition, Pokorski has mixed emotions about his new role with the Pokorski Motorsports team.
“I hope everyone has fun and takes time to soak it all in this season,” Pokorski said. “Unfortunately, I am not a very good fan/crew member. I have trouble watching my kids compete in anything for a couple reasons. As a father, I really want Alex to do well and be happy with the results. As a car owner, I don't want to fix wrecks. Not wanting to rush to fix things is probably why I have been a little more conservative myself in the driver’s seat over the last few years.”
Pokorski, who has a total of 45 career Winged Super Modified and 360 Sprint Car A-main victories to his credit, says off-season preparations have put the team in a position to be successful when it hits the track in 2020.
“We did the usual off-season updates,” Pokorski said. “The chassis and shocks went to R&H Racing to get the imperfections made as good as new. The rear ends went to Kurt Gunderson at Competition Driveline. The steering gear went out to be gone through and so on. We don’t have anything really new. I have been pretty happy with what we have and the people we work with.”
While he admits the drive to wheel a race car still burns bright, Pokorski says it is time to step back a bit from the full-time owner-driver role he has lived for the past 27 years.
“I'm not ready to quit driving,” Pokorski said. “It's just a matter of life circumstances and wanting to give my son an opportunity while we can. If opportunities to drive for someone arise, I'll certainly consider them. If I can't drive, I'll try to stay involved in some way. I believe in fate I guess, so I am keeping myself open to whatever opportunities arise and feel right.”
Pokorski will be behind the wheel when the MSA opens is 2020 campaign at the Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday, April 18.
“I’m looking forward to starting off the season at the MSA opener at Beaver Dam Raceway on April 18th,” Pokorski said. “I'll be in the car that night. We have had some very good results there and some disappointing ones. In 2014. we won the season opener there over Scotty Nietzel and that started our run to the MSA Master Series championship that year. If we win the opener this year, I may have to come up with a plan B and change the plans for the rest of the season!”
Although the exact driver rotation has yet to be determined, there are a few tracks and events where fans are certain to see the elder Pokorski in the driver’s seat during the 2020 season.
“I will be in the seat at the Dodge County Fairgrounds MSA events,” Pokorski said. “I have learned to like the track and won't put my son out there as a rookie. I'll will also drive at Outagamie Speedway in Seymour on June 19 for the Hagar Nelson Memorial. I want to be part of honoring our late friend Dave ‘Hagar’ Nelson, while also saying ‘thank you’ to the staff at Outagamie Speedway Powered by EWSC who are doing a great job with that facility and keeping EWSC viable and contributing to area racing. In addition, I'll be in the car for the first Angel Park event and the last few nights of the season at Plymouth.”
Pokorski, who is a three-time Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified champion, says most of the team’s sponsors will be back on board for the 2020 campaign.
“We have great sponsors,” Pokorski said. “Most have been with us for multiple years. Goeden's Auto Body is taking care of the light blue paint. Quest Engineering, Lakeshore Family Funeral Services, Cawley Company, Novak's Auto Service and Acme Armature are all back. Tisler Auto Salvage of Kellnersville, Al Knepprath and Kettle Moraine Landscaping will be with us and Hopf Farms is on board for another year. Dave Petersen and Petersen Septic Services is also back. Of course, Jeff Pederson and Pedal Down Promotions will be with us documenting the whole ride.”
Sponsors for the 2020 Pokorski Motorsports team are Hopf Farms, Petersen Septic Systems, 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.
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2019 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers
Total Events – 26
MSA events – 25
IRA events - 1
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 4
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 12
Heat Race Victories – 2