8/11/2020
Paul Pokorski
Alex Pokorski experiences highs of first Sprint Car win, lows of nasty wreck at Plymouth
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 11, 2020 – The sport of auto racing can best be described as one of the most rewarding, yet humbling endeavors a person can choose to take part in.
Rookie 360 Sprint Car driver Alex Pokorski can attest to this description as he experienced the joys of visiting victory lane for the very first time behind the wheel of a Sprint Car before feeling the devastating lows of being involved in a hard crash later in the night during a Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 8.
With 30 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars checked in to the pit area, Pokorski opened his seventh night driving the No. 4 Pokorski Motorsports 360 Sprint Car, by lining up fifth in the first PDTR 360 Sprint Car heat race.
After losing a spot on the opening lap, Pokorski moved back up to fifth on lap 2 when Shane Wenninger dropped out of the race while running near the front of the field. Pokorski held down the fifth spot over the remainder of the 10-lap race, which was contested on a lightning fast and tacky racing surface.
“In the heat race the car felt pretty good, but we were lacking a bit of bite from the center of the corner out,” Pokorski said.
Pokorski then lined up second for the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main and quickly jumped into the lead by outpowering polesitter Bill Taylor on the drop of the green flag.
The West Bend, Wis. driver wasted no time in bolting away from the field and skillfully working his way through lapped traffic to post his first career 360 Sprint Car race victory in the B main event and secure the 17th starting spot in the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main.
“The B main was a lot of fun and the car was hooked up really well,” Pokorski said. “The start went very well and then it was just about being smooth until I got to lap traffic. The lap cars were all spaced out enough, so I didn’t get held up at all. It felt good to get the first win and know that I can be fast in a Sprint Car. It’s something I’ve always dreamed about doing, so it was special.”
After lining up 17th in the A main, a string of early-race incidents saw Pokorski move up to 13th in the initial stages of the race. On lap 10, Pokorski looped his machine in turn four, which forced him to restart the race at the rear of the 18-car field.
Pokorski was holding his own on the ultra-fast racing surface before disaster struck on lap 20 when he was unable to avoid a hard collision with Tyler Davis, who had spun on the front stretch after jumping the thick turn-four cushion.
“The A main was not so great,” Pokorski said. “Tyler [Davis] had spun and was sitting sideways in the middle of the frontstretch. I came out of the corner on the gas and as soon as I saw him, I jammed on the brakes, but I still hit him really hard. The chassis is bent beyond repair I think, so we will be using an older chassis for the rest of this year.”
While the team’s primary 2016 Maxim chassis was badly damaged, Pokorski emerged from the heavy impact uninjured.
“I don’t have any injuries or even bruises,” Pokorski said. “The night was definitely a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The win was amazing. The crash was very upsetting. It totaled our best chassis, among other things, and with my dad winding down his racing career, I don’t think we will be getting a new one.”
The Pokorski Motorsports team is scheduled to return to action with its backup 2011 J&J chassis on Saturday, Aug. 15 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.
Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.
Sponsors for the 2020 Pokorski Motorsports team are Hopf Farms, Petersen Septic Systems, Quest Engineering 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.
Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Novak’s Service Center
Pokorski Motorsports would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 48th year in business in 2020.
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.
For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromo.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.
2020 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule.
Saturday, Aug. 15-Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Thursday, Aug. 27-Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Friday, Aug. 28-Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 29-Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.
2020 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers
Total Events – 10
MSA events – 9
IRA events - 0
A Main Victories – 1
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Heat Race Victories – 0
Article Credit: Jeff Pederson - Pedal Down Promotions
Submitted By: Jeff Pederson