When I go to the corner gas station, it's usually to fill up my 18-year-old Honda with fuel. I am not necessarily thinking about "checking in" with a mobile application like Foursquare or Gowalla. But Pelago, maker of the mobile application Whrrl, is hoping to transform the tedious 2-minute task of pumping gas into something more fun. And it's partnered with a large gas station chain in the Midwest and South to give away fuel to those who play along.

Whrrl users who check in at a Murphy USA station -- a gas and convenience store chain with 1,000 locations in 21 states -- now can win $50 worth of gas right at the pump. The promotion is going to get a little marketing power from the gas station, which plans to erect signs on pumps that say: "Check into Whrrl to win free gas right now!"

Sounds like a pretty good deal. But don't most gas stations warn customers not to use their phones at the pump? Nonetheless, Whrrl is excited about rolling out the check-in and reward program as part of its mobile application.

”Murphy USA is embracing social and local technology to re-invent what it means to be your gas station,” said John Kim, Vice President of Product and Marketing at Pelago in a statement. “Why does fueling up need to be a mundane activity when it can be opportunity for surprise, delight and fun? We are excited to be working with a brand that wants to add spice to your everyday activities.”

Murphy USA doesn't have any stations on the West Coast, so you are out of luck if you live in tech hotbeds like Seattle or San Fran. (I'll have to give it a try when I get back to Ohio some time). As part of the promotion, you can only check in once every 24 hours in order to win the free $50 gas credit.

The promotion with Murphy USA is part of a larger program that Whrrl is rolling out this year called Society Rewards, an endeavor that allows users to win prizes at local retail partners. As part of that offering, Whrrl is hoping to enlist other retailers to set up "societies" in order to attract customers in new ways.

The idea is not entirely new. Starbucks is currently toying around with a rewards program for those who check in to one of the company's stores via Foursquare. And Seattle area startup Valuevine also is experimenting with ideas in this arena.