Updated - May 2008

"Race, race, race!" When you ask seventeen-year-old Mackena Bell what she wants to do with her future, this is the response you'll get, without hesitation and with complete certainty. But this wise young lady admits, that with all her dedication and effort, it is a bigger dream than most and she realizes that she had better have a back-up plan, and she does.

As an Honor Roll Senior, Mackena continues to make her own statement as a young female driver on the West coast. In her rookie year as an asphalt driver, Mackena became the youngest season Champion in the track's 42 year history and the only female to win a Championship Title in the Legends Division at her home track.

In September of 2005, the final checkered flag flew at Mackena's hometown track, Champion Speedway, in Carson City, NV. With the speedway sold and becoming the site of homes, Mackena was able to take from the site a lifetime of memories and racing which made history. Bell had captured her first-ever asphalt feature win early in her career at the tender age of 14. With her primary competitors being men who averaged their mid 30's and several of whom were past track Champions, Mackena never allowed them to intimidate her. In fact, just weeks after winning her first asphalt race, she won her second. With 5 fast qualifying nights, 4 trophy dash wins and 11 out of 16 Top 5 finishes, she focused on the title and never looked back.

Bell ended her 2005 season at Champion Speedway with some impressive stats, bragging rights, the "Promoters Choice" award, her fourth Rookie of the Year title and the Legends Division Championship. "That season is one I will never forget," says Bell. "From the beginning, Les Kynett, [the tracks promoter] made me feel welcome and was always so encouraging. The hometown fans I got to know and the friendships I developed are great memories. I wish things would have worked out differently for that track. I have driven out there several times since they locked the gates and I find myself looking back and smiling at all the exciting times I had out there. I definitely miss it."

Before her success in an asphalt car, Mackena was already a veteran dirt kart racer by age 14. Since the age of 12, she has compiled a list of accomplishments behind the wheel of a Super Outlaw Kart. In her rookie year, she was the Nevada Outlaw Kart Champion in 2002 and received her first Rookie of the Year title. In 2003 & 2004, Bell picked up her second Rookie of the Year title in the 125cc Division at Thunder Bowl Speedway and placed 3rd respectively in the QRC All-Star Tour.

During the 2005-2006 Super Outlaw Kart season, Bell continued her winning ways capturing the runner-up points position in an Open Intermediate 500cc class, was awarded her third Rookie of the Year title and was the only female driver to win the Prestigious 6ft Perpetual Trophy. "Red Bluff is without-a-doubt, my favorite dirt track. I have learned a lot about myself, my driving and my intensity at that track. Bob Carrel [track promoter] once told me that once you take the fun out of what you love to do, you ruin it for yourself. I'm thankful to him for that advice and I try to remember it each time I'm disappointed in my performance on the track. I'm not gonna win 'em all, but I'm gonna drive hard trying!"

With Mackena's determination and her strong desire to be competitive in any race car, she attended the Wally Pankratz Midget driving school in San Bernardino, California in early 2005. The longtime competitor and class Champion in the Midget Division was impressed by Mackena's young talent and told her he expected to hear great things about her in the years to come.

Seeking further schooling just a few months later, Mackena submitted her BIO to the prestigious Lyn St. James Driver Development Program. With over 100 applications submitted, Mackena was thrilled to have been selected as 1 of the 24 females to attend and was honored to represent the State of Nevada. "It was exciting to meet Lyn St. James, [a seven-time Indy 500 competitor] and even more exciting to participate in such an elite program." During the 4 day event, the drivers schedules were busy and started early. From business seminars outlining the "Complete Driver", to the importance of mental and physical preparation, exposure, experience behind the wheel, integrity, image, professionalism and public speaking, Mackena states, "I thought my brain was going to explode! It was so much to take in and I didn't want to forget anything. I had pages and pages of notes."

On the final day of the program, the drivers got to hit the track. "Day 4 was a blast!" she says with excitement. "We finally got to get behind the wheel of several different cars and all of us drivers got to see what the other(s) could really do." Each driver started in a 125cc shifter kart, then progressed to Pro Karts, the Ford Mustang GT and some to the Formula Ford Indy cars. The drivers input on adjustments to the cars were invited and the drivers techniques were critiqued by a panel of Bondurant School of High Performance Driving specialists. "It was a great ending to a great program. Meeting Lyn and becoming friends with 23 other girls who share the same passion for racing was an experience I will never forget. Having the opportunity to be a 2005 graduate of the program is one of those once in a lifetime opportunities."

Since those experiences and the closure of her hometrack, this ambitious young driver has captured the hearts of many California tracks, including Shasta Raceway Park (SRP) in Anderson, California. This 3/8 mile track attracts high speeds and excitement and Mackena knows of that "excitement" first hand. In October of 2005, Mackena was the first female and only Legends car driver to ever crash and flip outside the safety barrier wall at SRP. "I remember all of it," she says. "I thought to myself, this is gonna hurt." Never being the type of person to succumb to intimidation, she has returned to SRP many times since then and was named the Most Inspirational Driver by Track Officials in 2006 where she finished 4th in PRO points standings. "Shasta kinda filled the void of my hometrack. The Inspirational Driver award was a huge surprise to me and one that I take very seriously. If I can inspire one young person to get in the seat of race car and experience the excitement that this sport brings, I'll be happy with that."

In late 2006, Mackena's driving ability caught the eye of Melo Motorsports Owner, Marty Melo of Redding, CA. Marty offered Mackena the opportunity to buckle-into a Late Model; a car made-up of a fabricated stock front clip with a GM Crate motor providing 450hp. Weighing roughly 2900 lbs and capable of speeds near 135 mph, Mackena jumped at the opportunity.

In early 2007, several practice sessions were held at Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson, CA. During one of those sessions, Bell had the opportunity to expand her driving horizon. She climbed into the seat of the #59 Melo Motorsports Grand National car, driven by Champion, Kyle Cattanach. This Busch car had a new composite body and a NASCAR spec motor with 640 hp. It was much heavier than the Late Model at 3400 lbs. and costs 100k to build. "Yeah I was nervous, but I wasn't about to give up that opportunity," said Mackena with a big smile. "Kyle had set-up the car for me and I felt comfortable with both Kyle & Marty helping me around the track with the in-car radio. It was a great experience and I hope in time to find myself driving one of them full-time."

In late summer 2007, Bell put those practice sessions into motion and made her NASCAR Whelen series debut at All American Speedway in Roseville, CA. She posted a 12th place finish in her debut race and followed that up with a Top 10 finish in her secondary race. Hopeful that those standings would help her obtain a full ride sponsorship in 2008, Bell was hugely disappointed when the Melo Motorsports organization came under changes in the Fall and she lost her ride. "It was a big disappointment, but one that I understood," said Mackena. "I will never stop believing that this passion of mine is obtainable. One way or another, I'm gonna find a way to make it happen!"

With this ambitious attitude, Bell focused on the positive and continued to acquire experience in anything she could buckle into. Rounding out the 2007 summer, she headed to the Jimmy Sills School of Open Wheel Racing in Marysville, CA. There she drove a 410 Dirt Sprint and a Nonwinged Sprint car. "It was a blast! I had never driven anything that put me back in the seat like the 410 did. If my asphalt career doesn't work out, I'd love to climb back into one of those. I think I was smiling the entire time!"

Continuing to leave no page unturned, Mackena applied for the 2008 Drive for Diversity Program. This program seeks to develop minority and female drivers as well as crew members and supports drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Bell educated herself with the requirements of the program and knew that selected drivers were invited to participate in a testing & evaluation combine which could ultimately earn her the opportunity to compete with an established NASCAR team for a full season.

Submitting an impressive DVD and driver package, Mackena was hopeful that her chances of running in the Late Model Division were reachable. Impressively Bell made the initial cut and was told that her 'submittal' had made it before the review panel. However, when she received her "sorry to inform you" letter, Bell was disheartened. "Initially I was very upset," said Bell. "I worked hard on my submittal and put it in the mail with high hopes. But looking back now I realize, that the timing was all wrong. I didn't have the experience that they wanted me too and had I gone back to the combine, I could not have shined like I'm capable of doing. Overall, what a difference a year will make. I'll apply again in 2009, I'll have the experience needed and I'll send it off with high hopes and expectations just like I have in the past. Everything happens for a reason...and I know ultimately He holds all the cards."

After the disappointing news, Mackena found herself with a couple of options, but the right option was obvious. The family would sell her Championship winning Legends car and establish "Mackena Bell Motorsports" in early 2008. Soon they announced they were starting their own Late Model team and would run as many dates as financially possible at All American Speedway in Roseville, CA.

Driving the family owned 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 2002 Lahorgue Chassis, Bell is powered by a Chevrolet 350 SPEC engine which produces more than 400 horsepower. The steering and pedals have been customized to accommodate the 5 ft 3" talent and the car also has a custom fitted Randy Lajoie racing seat. With her full season debut in April, 2008, Bell is looking forward to progressing week-to-week and earning the respect of those already successful in the series. "It's gonna be a great year!" said Mackena. "I know what I have to do and I'm gonna give it everything I've got. We definitely don't have the financial support like some of the bigger teams, but we do have the determination, focus and support of family and friends. And in our case, that's all we need to make a difference!"

With her year-round race schedule packed weekend after weekend, Mackena continues to live out her dream at each event. She refuses to let go of her determined attitude and has no doubt in her mind that whether she ends up on dirt or asphalt, she knows her future is at the race track. As she waits for it to unfold this season, she will continue to focus her studies in the field of nursing, as that back-up plan I mentioned at the top of this story, is to be a Care Flight Nurse. "I'm an adrenaline junky", she says laughing. "I think the field of emergency care would rank right up there with that first lap adrenaline rush. I've been told since I was a little girl to "do what you love" and that's what I intend to do."

With her self confidence and compassion for this sport, I have no doubt that however big the dream, she will achieve it! Now as you might imagine with Mackena's success has come plenty of publicity. She has been featured on the cover of 600 Racing Magazine, interviewed "Live" on USA Dirt Racing, profiled on KRNV News 4 and covered in various newspaper's and website's including Racing Wheels, Sports Caravan, Racing West.com and Thunder Valley Racing just to name a few. She continues to attract hometown support from K. Bell Tile & Marble, Joe the Chromer, Benny's Auto Painting, K.DuB Creative Web & Graphic Design and Sciarroni Bros. Racing. She has also caught the eye of several national sponsors, including Brian Scott of Scott Performance Wire, Bell Racing Helmets, NGK Spark Plugs and Lady Eagle Safetywear out of Washington State. If you would like to help this hometown girl, you can email Mackena directly at MackenaBell@aol.com or click on the SPONSORS Icon located on the her homepage for further details.