driving the Melo Motorsports...

Mackena Bell

Seventeen year old Mackena Bell of Carson City, Nevada will be making her NASCAR Whelen series debut this weekend at All American Speedway in Roseville, CA.    Bell, who is a Senior at Carson High School,  will be driving the Melo Motorsports Lahorgue chassis Late Model with a fabricated stock front clip and compression motor that produces over 450 horsepower and runs on 8-inch Goodyear tires.   The car, owned by Marty Melo of Melo Motorsports based in Redding, CA.,  has been custom fitted for Bell with a Randy Lajoe racing seat to insure that she is as comfortable as possible while getting the 3100 lbs. car around the track.    

Bell began racing a Box Stock division dirt go-kart just 5 years ago.  She has progressed through the dirt and asphalt ranks and has Championships in both divisions on her resume.   Currently ranked 2nd in Pro and 3rd overall on the West Coast in her 1250cc powered Legends car,  Mackena says this Late Model ride is what she has been working for.  "I'm really looking forward to this weekend and what 2008 will bring.  Marty Melo has given me a great opportunity and now it is my turn to do something with it." 

focused on furthering her career...

Focused on furthering her racing career,  Mackena has applied for the 2008 Drive for Diversity program based in North Carolina.   This program seeks to develop minority and female drivers and supports them in the NASCAR Grand National Division and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series from coast-to-coast.   These drivers participate in a scouting combine and earn the opportunity to compete with an established NASCAR team for a full season.     "Mackena has done exceptionally well in both the Late Model and the Grand National car while testing," said team Owner, Marty Melo.  "I provided her the chance to get exposed to the heavier Grand National car,  as that is what she will test in at the combine for the Drive for Diversity program if selected.   She was very comfortable in the car and has proven to me that she has the entire package.   She can drive any car she gets into and is able to communicate to the crew what the car is doing and what is needed to make the set-up better." 

Mackena Bell

With a promising 2008 in her future, Bell says this is what she and her family have worked hard to achieve.   "It has been a lot of work.   Racing requires not only me, but my family, to make a lot of  sacrifices.  Together we have worked hard to make our way and I have no doubt that come Saturday night my parents and my younger sister, Kellcy, will be experiencing the same adrenaline as I will.  I'd like to thank all of my sponsors, Dan Gamel RV, Praxair, Gerlinger Steel, Colorcraft, Bell Racing, Eldorado Casino, Pepper Jack Kennels and K. Bell Tile & Marble for their continued support." 

"We look forward to being part of Mackena's NASCAR debut..."

As for Marty Melo,  he says "We look forward to being a part of Mackena's NASCAR debut this weekend.  I can say as the car owner I am very proud to have this young lady driving for me.   She has worked very hard for this day and now it's within her reach.  She has great family support and Melo Motorsports feels lucky to be a part of Mackena's driving dream.  We are confident she will go far in racing and we look forward to being able to say we were a part of that." 

For racing schedules, results and highlights visit Mackena's racing website or Melo Motorsports  Post your support in her Guestbook located at the bottom of the home page.

Mackena's Thunder Valley Racing Profile