courtesy of Kenneth Spring
MOORESVILLE, N.C. - Drive for Diversity Driver Mackena Bell, 19, ended her NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West Goodyear Dealers of Iowa 200 appearance Sunday afternoon at Iowa Speedway in a fiery crash.
As the only female in the 49 car field, the Carson City native's impressive top 15 qualifying position placed her toward the front of field for the 200 lap event.
"Each track on the K&N Pro Series schedule is a new experience for me this season," said Bell. "You have to be able to adapt quickly at this level. The competition is incredible and it is amazing what I have learned in just three races."
The young rookie has proven that she is capable of running in this series. She had another learning experience on Sunday. Battling a tight racecar for most of the race, she cut a right front tire on lap 180 and hit hard into the wall in Turn 4. The hit broke an oil line which sent flames from the No. 8 Freedom Tire Chevrolet, but Bell did not panic.
"I knew I was headed for the wall and I saw the flames after impact. I fought the car to get it down to the grass and could feel the heat rush up my body. I wouldn't say I panicked, but it definitely got my heart pounding."
She escaped unharmed and suffered only bumps and bruises.
After a disappointing 36th place finish, Bell currently sits 18th in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standings but is optimistic that she will improve that standing in the final seven races on the schedule.
The Goodyear Dealers of Iowa 200 can be seen on SPEED at 10 a.m. today.