Carson City racer Mackena Bell is one of only 24 racers selected from hundreds of applicants nationwide to try out for NASCAR's 2009 Drive for Diversity program.
Bell will be at Virginia's South Boston Speedway on October 13-14 to participate in the elimination process that will choose eight drivers from the 24 selected racers.
Each of the eight will receive a one-year contract, national publicity, and a chance to race with a professional NASCAR team. This is Bell's third attempt at the program, and her first invitation to the combine as the elimination process is known.
"It is a terrific honor to be invited to the combine," Bell said. "It shows that they see my determination and focus, as well as my passion for the sport. The first two times I really wasn't ready, and I realize that now. But this year, even if I'm not selected for the program, I'm one step further than I was before."
In a sport that was founded by bootleggers and shade tree mechanics, diversity is a relatively new concept.
NASCAR realized that the sport and the fan base has expanded over the years to encompass a much broader base; hence the Drive for Diversity initiative to encourage participation by female and minority racers.
Bell is the epitome of the type of driver they are looking for. She has been racing since she was 12 years old, first in dirt Outlaw karts, then in Legends cars, winning the division championship at Carson City's Champion Speedway in the track's final year. Recently turned 18, she sold her Legends car to finance her own single-car late model race team. She has just completed her rookie season in the NASCAR Whelen Late Model series at All American Speedway in Roseville, California. She is the youngest of the female late model drivers in the series and operates on a limited budget, with an all-volunteer crew of five plus her father, Kelly Bell.
"I don't have the budget to repair a lot of crash damage, so I have to be careful to take care of my stuff," says Bell.
Despite being careful, she has managed to score 11 top-10 finishes and three top-5's in 18 starts, racing against bigger and better-funded teams. She is currently ninth in the final point standings, but a scoring review currently in progress could move her to eighth.
Bell is going to make a working vacation out of her trip back East, planning to visit race shops and tracks while there. She will attend the Nationwide and Cup series races at Lowe's Motor Speedway with her crew chief, Dave Sciarroni, who will accompany her to the Drive for Diversity combine. They will also connect with some other Nevada racers while there.
"We plan to stay with D.J. Krentz, and hope to get a tour of the Germaine Racing shops, where Shane Kline works," Bell said.
Germaine Racing fields Todd Bodine's Craftsman Series truck. But the highlight of the trip will be the two-day Drive for Diversity combine, which consists of a day of classroom instruction on things drivers need to know about interviews, press contacts, sponsor activities and more. The second day is a track day, with each participant running a 40-minute session, working with a veteran NASCAR crew chief and spotter. The session consists of running different racing lines as directed by the crew chief, giving feedback on the car's handling, and running two mock qualifying laps.
Bell gives credit for her success thus far in her racing career to her family and sponsors -
K. Bell Tile and Marble, Benny's Auto Painting, Joe the Chromer, K. Dub Creative Web Design, Sciarroni Brothers Racing, Lady Eagle Safety Wear, Scott Performance Wire and Ken Barrette.
Should Bell's racing career somehow not pan out, she plans to get her nursing credential and apply to become a Care Flight nurse. She has delayed starting classes at Western Nevada College in order to participate in the Drive for Diversity program, and plans to enter school in the spring semester.
But whatever the future holds, here is a young woman with the will to succeed and great confidence in herself and her abilities. Her whole philosophy of life is wrapped up in one word that is emblazoned on the front of her racing helmet " "Believe."
If you want to keep up on Bell's racing career or find out about sponsorship opportunities, go to her website, www.MackenaBell.com.