ABREU EYES PIVOTAL MIDGET WEEK POINTS

Rico Abreu of Rutherford, Calif. continues to lead the Honda USAC National Midget standings going into this week’s point-rich “Indiana Midget Week” races at five Hoosier ovals.

Abreu, injured in a non-USAC-sanctioned race two weekends ago, plans to compete in this week’s races to defend his lead again teammates Christopher Bell and Tanner Thorson (second and third in the standings), as well as the rest of the series regulars. Abreu, Bell and Thorson all compete for the Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian team of Columbus, Ind.

Bell trails by 12 points and Thorson is 45 in arrears going into Wednesday night’s opener at Gas City (Ind.) I-69 Speedway. The USAC HPD Midwest Midgets are also on the Gas City card.

Thursday night’s race is at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, while the Friday venue is Bloomington Speedway. Saturday’s race is at Lawrenceburg Speedway and Sunday’s finale is at Kokomo Speedway.

Bell is the defending Indiana Midget Week champion, scoring a pair of wins on his way to the 2013 title. Previous IMW champs are Darren Hagen (2012), Bryan Clauson (2009 and 2011), Tracy Hines (2008 and 2010), Jerry Coons Jr. (2007), Shane Cottle (2005 and 2006) and Brad Kuhn (who shared the 2010 title with Hines).

Clauson owns the most Indiana Midget Week wins, with seven, including a win last week at Bloomington.

Car owner Mike Curb of Nashville, Tenn. will be seeking his 50th USAC Midget feature win, beginning with Wednesday’s race at Gas City.