Jackson Free Press

Mackena Bell's NASCAR Pro Series No. 21 car rolled into Jackson Thursday morning as part of the 2013 Fueling Your Dreams Tour to teach kids how the big business of pro racing is more about the people and the process than just driving fast.

Bell, a 23-year-old driver out of Carson City, Nev., drove the car currently on display at Union Station in 14 K&N Pro Series East races this year, finishing with four top-10 finishes and two top-5 finishes.

The car, as well as a racing simulator, will be parked at inside Union Station on Mill Street from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. One JPS school trip was cancelled Thursday because of weather, but more are planned for Friday. Saturday, the display is open to anyone who wants to come see the car and test his or her skills on the simulator.

Several interested train-station patrons were doing just that Thursday morning as Rev Racing's Josh Berndt explained why they had come to Jackson.

"Usually when we have an event, we try to bring a show car and a simulator," Berndt said. "Most of our events involve kids and we like to hold them in underprivileged communities. We want to raise positive morale and give kids a chance to see how it all works."

Based out of Concord, N.C., Rev Racing is touring the country teaching kids about the X's and O's of racing, and how a good education in math and science is essential if they want to be a part of a NASCAR crew.

"A lot of people think they can get on the simulator like it's a video game and just hold down the gas," Berndt said. "Then you see it's a lot more difficult. You really have to pay attention."

The display is free and open to the public.