Former Prom Queen MacKena Bell Turns Even More Heads on the Track

We all have that still small voice inside of us that might whisper something like, “What about me?”

Now when we think about the name NASCAR, the very first thought that usually comes to mind is either the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide series, or even the Camping World truck series. 

Now have you ever thought about what NASCAR’s still small voice would say if there was one? It just might surprise you with something like, “What about the lower series, or how about all those up-and-coming drivers who are cutting their teeth on the many short tracks around the nation?”

NASCAR as we see it today is a very large and exciting sport, no matter what level they race at.

Remember that none of NASCAR’s top stars were put into the rides that they have now unless they first came up racing on the short tracks that are in our very own backyard.

Ralph Earnhardt, Lee Petty, Bobby Allison, Red Farmer, Richard Petty, Alan Kulwicki, Harry Gant, David Pearson, and Dale Earnhardt Sr., are just a few of the names that 18-year-old MacKena Bell out of Carson City, Nev., can put her name next to.

Bell is another up-and-coming driver getting her start the very same way, while racing full-time in the super late model division on the half mile at the Toyota Speedway of Irwindale.

In the super late model division, they use aftermarket bodies, which are made of fiberglass and usually resemble those of our favorite drivers.

Their weight limit is 3,100 pounds, they use a 360 cubic inch motor, while also utilizing a 500 cfm carburetor to get the gas down past the intake manifold to power these exciting race cars around the track.

These cars are more versatile as far as chassis and suspension setups then the late models which also run out here on a bi-weekly basis.  

They will usually average between 98, and sometimes 101 miles per hour around the half-mile track which makes for some very exciting racing.

MacKena herself is no stranger when it comes to racing, since she started out at the very early age of 12 while racing in a Super Outlaw Kart in her hometown of Carson City Nev., where she captured her first of four rookie of the year awards in only her six short years of racing.

MacKena’s list of accomplishments range anywhere from being voted the 2008 prom queen from her high school, to carrying a 3.67 GPA.

MacKena has also won championships on both dirt and asphalt, being the only female to win the prestigious six foot perpetual trophy on dirt, and she was also the youngest competitor/female to win a legends title at Champions Speedway in Carson City in the track's 42-year history.

These are just a few of her many accomplishments that she has picked up on her way, to getting accepted into the 2009 Drive for Diversity program that is designed to give young minority and female drivers opportunities to compete with established NASCAR teams at the level at which they are competing.

When you begin to think about what exactly fuels a young woman to go after a goal in life that many have tried before her?

MacKena has taken the time to realize that a goal is just that, something that we put before us that is very much attainable depending on how much time, and effort that we put into it.

MacKena is just one of many young drivers who are out there today, trying to reach out and take hold of a dream that is very much reachable.

“Don’t stop believing in yourself, but continue to follow your dream, and what you want to do because if you believe in it, anything is possible.” 

Just those three words alone, “Don’t stop believing,” are by far the most powerful words that can be used to describe the journey that she has already embarked on.

MacKena is already using those words to her full advantage, as she is now sitting ninth in points while racing in the super late model division.

When asked where she gets her support from to continue on this high-speed journey, that she already knows will have its ups and its downs.  

She was quick to thank her mom and dad for all of their support, since they are the ones who drive her from Nevada to California, which is an eight-hour journey.

She also mentioned that her biggest supporter is her younger sister, Kellcy.

NASCAR has always been about strong family ties, and its more then evident while watching the premier series and all the drivers that take the time to thank not only their parents, but more times then not we see them hands on at the track.

Ryan Newman's dad not only attends all of his races, but he also stands a top the grandstand as his own personal spotter.

Sponsorship is also another topic that seems to almost be taboo these days, especially when you begin to look around at how fast these rolling billboards are having to ride around with some freakish paint scheme because of a lack of sponsorship.

The rule of thumb usually is what happens at the upper level, usually has a trickle down effect that at some point and time will have an effect on the lower tier.

Representation of someone’s company should always be top priority, since you the driver are the one who is basically the spokesperson as long as they have their name plastered all over your car.

“The economy is down, but with my skills and what I have on my resume, I can prove to someone that I could be a good representative of their company."

"Right now I just have to do what I can with what I have. I would like to thank Position One Motorsports out of Baldwin Park, Calif., NGK, and The Drive for Diversity program for their support.”

MacKena is also hoping someday to be able to compete in the Camping World series, and hopefully from there to be able to land a ride in the Camping World Truck series.

But her dreams do not stop there; she is also hoping to make in into the prestigious Sprint cup series someday.

“Move up to the Camping World then the trucks and see how far I can go. Then make it to the top of the Sprint cup series. Step by step. Hope that this year I can win a race out here in Irwindale.”

Racing is not the only passion that MacKena talked about.

She also has other aspirations in life, and that is to begin a career in nursing this fall while attending classes at Western Nevada College.

From there she will focus her studies in critical care, specifically as a Care Flight paramedic. MacKena has realized that not all drivers will make it to the big leagues, and that a backup plan is always essential just in case racing doesn’t work out.

This is a very good lesson for any young driver that has it instilled in his mind that he or she will become the next Jeff Gordon, because not even the best drivers out there are guaranteed a shot at making it into the big show.  

They may not be the big names that we are used to watching, but I’m sure that someday you just might attend a Cup race, and remember that same driver who got their first start on a short track near you.

So take the time to support the future of NASCAR, and maybe some day that driver that you supported and talked to after one of these races will recognize you when and if he or she does make it to the big time.

Now wouldn’t that be cool? Good luck to MacKena Bell and all the other up-and coming drivers that are coming through the ranks the way it has always been done.

Continue to reach for the stars, because you never know when one of then just might have your name on it.