CARSON CITY, Nevada — Nineteen-year old, Super Late Model Division rookie, Mackena Bell returned to the picturesque Toyota Speedway at Irwindale as the sun set Saturday evening determined to continue her streak of Top 10 finishes.
Currently holding firm in the 10th place points position, the only female in the AC Delco series has four Top 10 finishes in the last two race dates and has continued to gain impressive ground towards a Top 5 finish.
With temperatures topping out near the 100 degree mark, Bell sat third in the qualifying line-up this past weekend after a less than perfect pill draw. As the # 30 team hit the track, Bell posted an excellent 18.368 lap time. Shooting to the top of the early qualifying board, she would remain there in front of 15 other qualifiers before coming to rest in the 8th spot.
As the Race # 1 field rounded Turn 4, Track Announcer Larry Naston had the female race fans on their feet to support the NASCAR Drive for Diversity driver, whom he labeled "the fastest female on the planet." At the green, Bell would immediately lose ground when # 90, Justin Johnson missed his shift, costing Bell valuable positions. Slipping all the way back to 10th spot, Bell kept her focus and quickly continued her assault towards the front of the field.
With incredible determination, Bell would regain the lost ground and catch her teammate Luis Martinez, Jr., to challenge for the seventh position. After several fierce laps between the teammates, Bell would use the inside line to grab the position and come to the finish line in 7th place, marking another Top 10 finishing result.
As Race # 2 found its way to the starting line, Bell sat inside third row and was hopeful that her first Top 5 of the season was just 40 laps away. Rocketing into Turn # 1 right behind her teammate, she stayed tucked behind him until she was clear to run the high line. Building evident momentum she created a large gap between her and the # 6 of David Beat. Never wavering, her speed kept her 6-car lengths ahead of any threat until five laps to go when the # 10 of Mark Perry began a charge. Steady, she kept her focus and squashed any hope that Perry might have had on taking away her finishing position which left her just one spot from a Top 5.
As Bell returned to her pit area, the crew jubilantly greeted her as the 6th place finish represented her best finish of the season and proof that a Top 5 is well within reach for this rookie.
"We had a great weekend overall," Bell said. I'm definitely looking forward to our next race and hopeful that I can bring my team Owner, Luis Martinez a Top 5 from the # 30 car. I've been told by so many that a Top 5 at Toyota Speedway as a rookie is nearly impossible, but I thrive on the impossible. This track definitely has some of the best drivers on the West coast, so I'm just gonna keep making my way and learning all I can from each of them. I'd like to thank my team for all their hard work this weekend, NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program for allowing me this opportunity, Eibach Springs, NGK Spark Plugs, K. Bell Tile & Marble and Position One Motorsports. They make it all possible. I'd also like to thank my fans. It is such an awesome feeling to have so many of them visit me during the autograph session, taking photo's and supporting me in the grandstands! I really appreciate it."
With only three race dates remaining in the 2009 season, Bell will return to Toyota Speedway at Irwindale with a heavy heart on Saturday, August 15th. She will be dedicating the race to her late Grandpa, Leon Mayfield who would have turned 80 years old on that Saturday and was unquestionably one of her biggest fans. Mayfield lost his short battle with lung cancer early this season and Bell says she intends to donate her winnings from the 50-lap feature event to the Carson Tahoe - Cancer Resource Center in Carson City, NV.
"Although my heart will be heavy, my focus will be clear," said Bell. "I would love nothing more than to land my first Top 5 at Toyota Speedway on his birthday."
If you would like more race details visit www.MackenaBell.com or www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com.
