Veteran Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. Focused on 2012 Title
Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk, Jr. of Hudson, NH entered the 2011 season as the favorite for knocking off eight-time ACT Champion Brian Hoar. While things didn’t work out last year, Polewarczyk and his Pole’s Automotive Ford team are refocused and ready to get back to their winning ways in 2012.
In 2010, Polewarczyk had one of the greatest runs in ACT history. He claimed five wins in the final three months of the season and claimed second in the final standings. He earned a win at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway and two at Waterford Speedbowl, including the season finale. But his biggest wins of the year came in the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and the People’s United Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road. It looked like he was poised to make a serious run at the 2011 title after claiming the ACT Goodyear Speedweeks Cup at New Smyrna (FL) Speedway in February 2011.
“After we went on that streak at the end of 2010, we kind of just let our car sit and didn't do much updating on it before 2011. Meanwhile, everybody else got better and we just got behind the eight ball,” said Pole. “We finally started getting on the right track at the Invitational and Airborne, but the season was over at that point. So to get back into victory lane this upcoming year, we have to work hard on the car, and I have to become more focused on what I have to do as a driver.”
Going into the 2012 season, after claiming a win in the ACT Airborne season finale in 2011, Polewarczyk is looking to get back to his 2010 winning ways and at the same time is refocused on the bigger goal of the ACT title.
“I really like our team’s chances at the 2012 championship. I can honestly say I have never in my career felt more ready to take that step and be a champion. We have worked on our car everyday of this off-season and we as a team have never been more prepared,” continued Polewarczyk. “For me, being the 2012 ACT champion would be such an honor. You look at the names that have won championships on this Tour; it would be an honor to add my name to that list. I truly believe this is one of the best tours in the country with the toughest competitors. We have come close in the past, and I believe this could really be our year to win. Plus, we want to be the team to beat Brian Hoar and the RPM team. They have been the best for a long time now, and any racer has to respect that. So to be the best, you have to beat the best, and that is what our team plans on doing this year.”
Polewarczyk will attempt to become the first-ever repeat ACT Late Model Tour winner at Lee USA Speedway when the 2012 season opens with the NH Governor’s Cup on Sunday, April 15.
Sources: ACT PR