Buckling back into a Legends car owned by her Late Model crew chief, Dave Sciarroni, Bell headed for Madera Speedway in Madera, CA where she was feeling excited about returning to one of her favorite tracks. “Madera was always fast and a lot of fun last season. I felt really comfortable in the car and Dad and Dave did a great job getting the car just where I wanted it.”

Posting a 6th place effort during the first set of practice laps and a 3rd place effort during the 2nd set, Bell felt ready for qualifying as the team made some simple, last minute adjustments to the car. Those adjustments seemed to pay off when Bell quickly jumped to the top of the qualifying board and only fell one position when final standings were posted. “The car felt great and my times showed that. Climbing back into a Legends car was easy… I was surprised how quickly it all came back.”

Trying to find more speed for the evenings events, the crew played with a few more changes to the set-up during the Trophy Dash. When those changes didn’t bring additional speed, the crew put the car back and lined up for the main event. When a 12 was chosen for the invert, Bell found herself starting 11th, inside 6th row of the 22 car field.

At the green, Bell quickly found the gas. Fighting for each position, she had trouble getting around the slower traffic as many of them were not running the high or low line, but their own line. “I kept thinking to myself, ‘pick a line! pick a line!’. When I’m not running points, I always consider those that are. I’ve ran plenty of races where some driver from another track shows up, crashes people up and ruins finishes and points for those running them. That isn’t how I race,” said Bell. “Sure, I’m there for the same reason they are, to win, but in the back of my mind I was focused on the best finish possible without crashing up the Owners car or jeopardizing someone’s point standings. It doesn’t always work out for me on paper, but I always feel good about my decision after the race.”

As the 30-lap main event continued, Bell worked her way toward the front of the field. As she watched the 1st and 2nd place drivers battle for several laps, she was ready when they finally tangled and collected 3rd and 4th. Bell went low with the #05 and raced hard to the yellow flag. “I was a full straight-away behind 5th & 6th with 10 laps to go!” said the excited Bell. “I drove the tires off that car and caught them just in time. Had it not been the white flag lap, I think I could have won the race!”

Crossing the finish line right on the heels of rookie driver and grandson of last seasons competitor Randy Fellman, Bell said it was a great night overall and one her confidence needed. “I love racing my Late Model, but it is a learning season for me and the top 3 finishes are not there…yet. Running the Legends car reminded me that no matter what I’m driving, I’m happiest in a race car. With my hectic Late Model schedule I don’t know that I’ll have the opportunity to get back in the Legends car, but if the car is available and the dates work out, I’d love to run it again. Thanks to my awesome crew chief Dave and to my Dad for working so many hours this past week to get the car done. I think the effort was worth it!”

Unable to run this weekends Late Model race at All American Speedway to attend her Senior Prom, Bell has a week of “Prom Queen” candidate fun and responsibilities to participate in. These include being shanghai’d by her friends & family, a King & Queen assembly and a “Senior~Senior Dance” where she and the other candidates will host a night of dancing for the local senior citizens of Carson City. “It’s gonna be a week of fun that I’m really looking forward to. I can’t believe how fast this year has gone by and I can’t think of a better way to end it. It’s all about memories at this point!”

Check back next week for race details regarding Memorial Day weekend and see YOU at the track!!

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