[Sandy Lowe]

MARTZ & RAMSEY CLINCH THIRD STRAIGHT MTQRL CHAMPIONSHIP

Tate Martz, of Rushville, Ind., and Roger Ramsey of Waverly, Ohio, clinched their third straight championship on Saturday night when the Midwest TQ Racing League presented by Vincennes University closed their season at the Rush County Fairgrounds in Rushville, Ind.

The race, held in honor of the late Russ Hankins, Bob Nichols and Robert Nichols, was halted during time trials due to persistent rain showers and was eventually cancelled bringing an end to the 2011 race season.

Martz, driving the Roger Ramsey owned Vincennes University/Old Canal Smokehouse three quarter midget, used three feature wins, consistent finishes, and excellent qualifying efforts to win the 2011 title over Rick Robinson.

Martz was the fastest qualifier on five occasions, won five heat races, a semi feature, and had eight top five feature finishes. He was eliminated from one race due to an accident and another due to mechanical issues, his first mechanical DNF in three seasons.

Robinson, of Columbus, Ind., finished the season just 96 markers behind Martz. If not for losing a wheel while leading the feature on June 23rd at the Rush County Fair Robinson may have been able to unseat Martz for the title.

Chris Mann, Ronnie Combs and Cody Kiewitt completed the top five in the driver standings while Robinson, Mann, Tony Stewart Racing and Jay Parks completed the top five owners.

Combs, running a limited schedule, ended the season with four feature wins, the most of any driver. In just eight races Combs also had two second place, a third place, and a fourth place feature finish.

Other drivers to win features included CJ Leary (twice), Jason Willis, Brett Hankins and Nick Speidel. Hankins was the only driver to score a “clean sweep” when he set quick time, won the Jackson Oil & Solvents Duel for Fuel, his heat race and the feature on August 27th at Shelbyville.

Cody Kiewitt, who set quick time and placed second at the penultimate race of the season, is the 2011 Tony Stewart Racing Rookie of the Year. Kiewitt also passed the most cars in feature competition and was the Pace Performance Coatings Hard Charger.

The Tony Stewart Foundation Leader of the Pack Award went to Combs who led 89 of the 285 feature laps, and Martz three-peated as the Jackson Oil & Solvents Duel for Fuel Champion.

For more information please visit www.mtqrl.com.


FINAL DRIVERS STANDINGS
1. Tate Martz 1,307
2. Rick Robinson 1,211
3. Chris Mann 1,131
4. Ronnie Combs 1,070
5. Cody Kiewitt 1,029
6. Jason Willis 972
7. Corey Eaglin 857
8. Caleb Faulkner 843
9. Nick Speidel 798
10. Jon Steed 769

FINAL OWNERS STANDINGS
1. Roger Ramsey, #1 1,457
2. Rick Robinson, #12 1,211
3. Chris Mann, #24 1,131
4. Tony Stewart Racing, #50 1,070
5. Jay Parks, #40 1,029
6. Wayne Willis, #25 972
7. Ray Faulkner, #83 843
8. Terry Eaglin, #15 806
9. Joe Speidel, #21 798
10. Fred Steed, #7 769

JACKSON OIL & SOLVENTS
DUEL FOR FUEL FINAL STANDINGS
1. Tate Martz 68
2. Brett Hankins 54
3. Rick Robinson 47
4. Jason Willis 44
5. Chris Mann 28

TONY STEWART FOUNDATION
LEADER OF THE PACK FINAL STANDINGS
1. Ronnie Combs 89
2. Nick Speidel 43
3. CJ Leary 36
4. Tate Martz 23
5. Brett Hankins 19

PACE PERFORMANCE COATINGS
HARD CHARGER FINAL STANDINGS
1. Cody Kiewitt 49
2. Tate Martz 48
3. Rob Walton 42
4. Ronnie Combs 39
5. Chris Mann 37

TONY STEWART RACING
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR FINAL STANDINGS
1. Cody Kiewitt 1,029
2. Corey Eaglin 857
3. Kyle McIntosh 600
4. Logan Arnold 400
5. Jake Moore 355

[marko 66]

congratulations tate, and to you also sandy for all of your hard work !!! mark oholorogg