5/5/2021
Paul Pokorski
Mechanical woes stall top-five run for Pokorski Motorsports in PDTR opener
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 4, 2021 – One week after competing in weather more appropriate for snowmobiles that Sprint Cars, the Wisconsin weather turned on a dime as Paul Pokorski and the Pokorski Motorsports team headed to Plymouth Wis. to compete in the 2021 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season opener with temperatures hovering in the mid-80s Saturday, May 1 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds.
On a warm and windy evening, Pokorski was among a stout field of 31 PDTR 360 Sprint Car competitors signing in for the initial program of the 2021 PDTR campaign and third event of the young Midwest Sprint Car Association season.
The 2014 MSA Masters Series champion drew the second starting spot in the second PDTR 360 Sprint Car heat race and wasted little time in powering around polesitter Blake Wondra with an outside move in turn one on lap three to take the lead.
However, six laps later, Travis Arenz ducked under Pokorski to assume the lead. Arenz went on to post the victory in the 10-lap race, while Pokorski earned a runner-up finish to qualify solidly for the evening’s main event.
“The car was pretty good,” Pokorski said. “I made some set up changes to our starting point and the car got a little too tight to start. We were pretty good for the heat race, but we cut the sidewall off the right rear with about three to go and the car got tight over the last few laps as it lost air pressure.”
After the invert based on heat race passing points totals, Pokorski started the 25-lap A main from the third spot.
Pokorski held the third position in the early going until Arenz pulled off a slide job to take the third spot on lap 7. Following a caution flag on lap 8 for a spin involving Blake Wondra, Brandon McMullen worked past Pokorski on lap 10 as the 29-year open-wheel racing veteran settled into the fifth spot along the cushion of the dry slick racing surface.
Pokorski hopes for top-five run were dashed on lap 15 when he slowed and pulled into the infield of the third-mile clay oval when the motor began to misfire.
The three-time Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified champion was credited with a 22nd place finish in a race won by Ben Schmidt.
“The car was really pretty good in the feature,” Pokorski said. “Early on, I was over driving the entry to turn one. Once I fixed that, I felt we were a solid top-five car. Then the engine started missing, just like it did at Beaver Dam Raceway a couple of weeks ago. The first time we thought it was a fuel issue, but now we suspect it was the magneto both times. After the race, we changed the magneto and we hope we've solved the problem.”
The Pokorski Motorsports team is set to compete in the first Midwest Sprint Car Association doubleheader of the 2021 season with Paul Pokorski behind the wheel of the familiar blue No. 4 machine on Friday, May 7 at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis., along with the Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car Series and Legends.
Pits will be open all day at Beaver Dam Raceway before being cleared at 3:15 p.m. when pit passes will be sold. Spectator gates will open at 4:30 p.m. with racing starting at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, May 8, the team will return to The Plymouth Dirt Track .at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. with Alex Pokorski making his 2021 season debut in the seat of the Pokorski Motorsports No. 4 machine and Paul Pokorski tentatively slated to make his first start in Spyder Akright’s No. 53A car.
Pit gates at Plymouth open at 2 p.m., the grandstand opens at 3:30 p.m. with hot laps at 4:30 p.m. and racing starting at 5 p.m.
“I’m looking forward to Friday night when I'll be in the car at Beaver Dam Raceway,” Paul Pokorski said. “On Saturday at Plymouth, Alex will be done with college finals and he will take his first shot at racing the car this year. I may be in Spyder Akright's car on Saturday night at Plymouth, but that depends on how the weekend flows.”
Sponsors and supporters for the 2021 Pokorski Motorsports team are Petersen Septic Systems, Quest Engineering Inc., Goeden Auto Body, Goodwin Racing Engines, Hopf Farms, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Novak's Service Center, Tisler Salvage Inc., Allied Bearing Corporation, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.
Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Petersen Septic Systems
Pokorski Motorsports is pleased to have Petersen Septic Systems step into the role of primary sponsor for the 2021 racing season.
Since opening its doors in Valders, Wis. in 2012, Petersen Septic Systems LLC has provided premier septic tank service and the most reliable septic system installation and repair in Manitowoc and Two Rivers and the surrounding Lakeshore area.
“We offer our services to industrial, institutional, residential, new construction, commercial and municipal accounts,” Petersen Septic Systems Owner David Petersen said. “Customer service is our utmost priority. We do every job as it was in our own homes. Our experience is second to none in the area. Prior to opening the business, I worked for Tuschl Septic Systems from 2004 until owner Chuck Tuschl retired.”
The list of regular services Petersen Septic Systems offers includes septic pump repairs, test drilling/test boring, sewage treatment systems, septic tank removal, septic tank installation, water line repair, oil testing and perc testing.
“We provide all of these services in Manitowoc County and the surrounding areas,” Petersen said. “We are OSHA certified and are licensed MPRS/CST966051.”
Petersen Septic Systems is located at 7334 Nagel Road in Valders, Wis. For more information, call 920-323-2640, email petersenseptic@gmail.com or visit www.petersensepticsystems.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.
2021 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers
Total Events – 3
MSA events – 3
IRA events - 0
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Heat Race Victories – 0
2021 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule
Friday, May 7 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.
Saturday, May 8 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, May 15 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, May 22 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Sunday, May 23 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.
Article Credit: Jeff Pederson - Pedal Down Promotions
Submitted By: Jeff Pederson
