The Midwest TQ Racing League presented by Jenmarco.com season jumps into full swing this weekend with races on Saturday night June 9th at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind. and on Sunday evening June 10th at the Kokomo Speedway in Kokomo, Ind.

2011 Tony Stewart Racing Rookie of the Year Cody Kiewitt is the early season point leader after he won both his qualifying race and Perfect North Slopes heat race at the season opener May 19th at Columbus. Kiewitt, driving the J Parks #40 Parks Welding & Sandblasting/Klinge Farms/Darlage Logging Shark Honda led 24¾ laps of the feature before Nick Speidel made a move in the final corner to steal the win.

Speidel’s win was his second consecutive in MTQRL competition as he also closed out the 2011 season with a victory. His career win tally now stands at five which is tied for third place on the MTQRL All Time Feature Win list with Ronnie Combs and 2010 Tony Stewart Racing Rookie of the Year CJ Leary. Jason Willis is in second place with seven career wins and all drivers are chasing three-time and defending MTQRL champion Tate Martz who has visited victory lane twelve times in MTQRL competition.

On Saturday evening at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds the grandstands will open at 5:00 pm, practice is at 6:00 pm, qualifications at 6:30 pm and racing is set to begin at 7:30 pm with the Jackson Oil & Solvents Duel for Fuel. Following the Duel will be qualifying races, Perfect North Slopes heat races, a B Main (if needed) and the evening will be capped off with a 25-lap feature around the quarter mile oval. General admission is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for children (7-12), and 6 and under are free. Pit passes are $25.00 for all ages.

On Sunday the MTQRL drivers will venture north to the Kokomo Speedway for the inaugural appearance by the MTQRL three-quarter midgets on the fast ¼ mile semi-banked clay oval in Kokomo, Ind. Grandstands open at 4:00 pm, practice is at 5:45 pm and racing is set to begin at 6:15 pm. On tap will be Perfect North Slopes heat races, a B Main (if needed) and a 25-lap feature. Also competing will be sprint cars, street stocks and thunder cars. General admission is $12.00 for adults and children 10 and under are free. Pit passes are $25.00.

DRIVER POINT STANDINGS
1- Cody Kiewitt 157 points
2- Brett Hankins 153 points
2- Rick Robinson 153 points
4- Nick Speidel 144 points
5- Tate Martz 141 points

OWNER POINT STANDINGS
1- J Parks, #40 157 points
2- Sam Hankins, #14 153 points
2- Rick Robinson, #12 153 points
4- Joe Speidel, #21 144 points
5- Roger Ramsey, #1 141 points

JACKSON OIL & SOLVENTS
DUEL FOR FUEL STANDINGS
1- Rick Robinson 20 points
2- Jason Willis 15 points
3- Brett Hankins 10 points

TONY STEWART RACING
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR STANDINGS
1- Dustin Wheeldon 20 points
2- Devin Fairchild 10 points
2- Kyle May 10 points

TONY STEWART FOUNDATION
LEADER OF THE PACK STANDINGS
1- Cody Kiewitt 24 laps
2- Nick Speidel 1 lap

INDY RACE PARTS
HARD CHARGER STANDINGS
1- Brett Hankins 7
2- Tate Martz 5
2- Chris Mann 5
2- Jamie Ross 5
2- John Doyle 5




For more information on the Midwest TQ Racing League
presented by Jenmarco.com please visit www.mtqrl.com.

I just checked the weather and it looks like Mother Nature is giving us a beautiful weekend for racing. I hope everyone can join us for some exciting, wheel-to-wheel action on Saturday and Sunday evenings at the Bartholomew Co. Fairgrounds (Columbus, Ind.) and Kokomo Speedway (Kokomo, Ind.). Bring a friend, neighbor, co-worker or relative and introduce them to three-quarter midget racing - a sport we all love.

Several compelling storylines are currently at play:

Can Nick Speidel become the first driver in MTQRL history to win three consecutive races? It has been just over nine months since Brett Hankins scored a "Clean Sweep" at Shelbyville. The last time anyone other than Speidel has won a feature.

Cody Kiewitt has been the runner up to Speidel the past two races. Can the 2011 Tony Stewart Racing Rookie of the Year (and current point leader) finally get the monkey off his back and capture his first feature win?

Prior to this season the potent duo of Tate Martz and Roger Ramsey have never been ranked lower than fourth in the standings. Can the three-time and defending champions improve upon their fifth place rankings?

For more Information on the Midwest TQ Racing League presented by Jenmarco.com please visit their website www.mtqrl.com.

That is "Pr" now all we need is some nick names and maybe a grudge or two and a free place in the local papers. Maybe R.A.D.I.O.

Honest Dad himself