Mackena Bell: "If it were easy, everyone would be doing it."

Mackena Bell
Photo courtesy of Rev Racing

Carson City, Nevada native, Mackena Bell is making a name for herself as she progresses through NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program, with Rev Racing.

Headquartered in Concord, N.C., Rev Racing, owned by Max Siegel, is part of the NASCAR Drive For Diversity program, which is the industry's leading development program for minority and female drivers and pit crew members.

This up-and-coming third generation driver got a late start at the age of 12, while racing go-karts with her family.

“When I started racing, it wasn’t anything that I was focused on as a dream or a career, I did it because it was fun,” said Bell.

As her wins continued to increase, this fun turned into a passion, and Bell decided that she was born to be a driver.

“One day I realized this is it, I could not imagine being anywhere else on a Saturday because there is nothing compared to being in a race car,” said Bell.

Working her way up the racing ladder, from Super Outlaw Dirt Karts to Super Late Models, Bell has continued to pursue her dream.

This dream included an education with the Women in the Winner’s Circle Academy, established by former female IZOD IndyCar veteran, Lyn St. James. Past graduates include Bell's mentor, Danica Patrick, as well as former IZOD IndyCar Series driver and the first and only female team owner, Sarah Fisher.

Continuing to pursue her goal to become a successful top female driver, Bell, participated in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity combine, in 2009. Her impressive performance led to an invitation to compete with Position One Motorsports in the Super Late Model division, at Toyota Speedway, in Irwindale, CA. After completing her rookie season with a top-10 points finish, Bell made history by becoming the first female in this division with a podium finish.

Currently competing in her third season with Rev Racing, in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, she and fellow teammate, Trey Gibson, are competing in a limited schedule at Hickory Motor Speedway. When not racing, Bell also travels with Rev Racing's K&N Pro Series East team to observe and learn from her fellow Drive for Diversity teammates.

With women in NASCAR still being considered a minority, Bell says that the Drive for Diversity program will help her achieve her dreams to compete in the highest levels of motorsports.

Photo courtesy of Rev Racing

“I am so grateful to be working with NASCAR, Rev Racing, as well as great marketing partners like Toyota and Toyota Racing Development who provide the resources necessary to succeed in this sport,” said Bell. “This program has made me what I am today and it is such an amazing opportunity that I am so grateful for.”

NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program has launched the careers of Paulie Harraka, who currently competes in the Camping World Truck Series, along with Joe Gibbs development driver, Darrell Wallace Jr.

“It is awesome seeing former fellow teammates move up and experience success knowing that they were a part of this program,” said Bell. “It gives me a lot of high hopes that I will continue to move up in this sport.”

For women who have a dream to compete in motorsports, Bell shared her words of wisdom.

“My biggest advice to anybody that wants to do something like this, or has any type of dream, is don’t give up. Try to focus on what is important and remember that this dream will not be an easy one to achieve. If it were easy everyone would be doing it.”

Bell will be competing in her No. 4 Toyota Racing Development Camry this Saturday at Hickory Motor Speedway. For more information about Mackena Bell visit http://revracing.net/teams/whelen-all-american-series/mackena-bell/ or follow her on Twitter Twitter @MaCkeNaBeLL, or on her website at www.mackenabell.com/.