Paige Decker

Paige Decker is a professional stock car racing driver from Eagle River, Wisconsin, who made history as the first woman and rookie to win a TUNDRA Super Late Model Series race in 2013.

EARLY YEARS

Born March 20, 1993, in Eagle River, Wisconsin, Paige Decker started racing at three years old—on a snowmobile. That wasn’t exactly unusual for her hometown, a place where snowmobile racing was practically a family business. Her father, Allen Decker, and his three brothers had been racing professionally since 1967, and her dad became a 1987 World Champion. Racing wasn’t something the Deckers did on weekends; it was woven into their DNA.

The Decker household had an unexpected connection to one of the most famous names in women’s motorsports: Paige’s aunt, Sue Decker, introduced Danica Patrick’s parents. Yes, that Danica Patrick. Both families raced snowmobiles before their daughters moved to four wheels, and the parallels were impossible to ignore. “We were very connected,” Allen Decker said. The comparisons to Patrick would follow Paige throughout her career, and she didn’t push back. Why would she? Danica was proof it could be done.

After conquering snowmobiles, Paige transitioned to go-karts, then moved up to limited late models and super late models. She competed in the Mid-American Stock Car Series in 2010 and 2011, cutting her teeth on Midwestern short tracks. By 2013, she was ready to make noise.

OTHER INTERESTS

Before racing consumed her life entirely, Paige attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout for two years, pursuing a degree in early childhood education. But when the opportunity to race at higher levels came calling, she made the call plenty of racers before her had made: she quit school. Some dreams don’t wait for diplomas.

EARLY SUCCESS

In 2013, Paige Decker became the first female winner—and first rookie winner—of a TUNDRA (The Unified Northern Drivers Association) Super Late Model race when she took the checkered flag at Golden Sands Speedway. It wasn’t a fluke. She earned Rookie of the Year honors in the series that same season, proving she wasn’t just breaking barriers—she was competitive doing it.

Her momentum continued in 2014 when she joined Rev Racing’s Whelen All-American Series program. She also racked up a feature win in a Limited Late Model car and notched a feature win plus a third-place points finish at Madison International Speedway. Paige and her younger sister Claire were responsible for securing their own sponsors throughout their racing careers—a grind that taught them early that talent alone doesn’t pay the bills.

In March 2015, Paige competed in her first NASCAR-sanctioned event, attempting to qualify for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway. She made two starts in the Truck Series at Martinsville in 2016, driving Mike Harmon’s No. 74 truck. Her best finish was 25th.

That same year, Paige and Claire made history together. In June 2016, the sisters attempted to qualify for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway, both driving for Obaika Racing. Paige piloted the No. 97 Chevrolet and finished 31st. It was a moment: two sisters from Eagle River, Wisconsin, racing in a national NASCAR series on the same day.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2013: First female and first rookie to win a TUNDRA Super Late Model Series race at Golden Sands Speedway.
• 2013: Earned Rookie of the Year honors in the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series.
• 2016: Made NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Martinsville Speedway, finishing 25th.
• 2016: Made NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Iowa Speedway alongside sister Claire Decker.

INSPIRATIONS

The Decker family’s connection to Danica Patrick wasn’t just a fun fact—it was a touchstone. Paige and her family openly considered Patrick a role model, and the comparisons were inevitable. Both came from snowmobile racing families, both had to fight for respect in male-dominated spaces, and both were determined to prove women belonged behind the wheel at the highest levels. Paige didn’t shy away from the comparison. She embraced it.

But Paige’s closest inspirations were right at home. She raced alongside her younger sister Claire and cousin Natalie Decker, both of whom looked up to her. “I’ve always been there for them, and every time they race at home, they call and update me, and that’s how I want it to be,” Paige said. The Decker women weren’t just competing—they were a team, pushing each other forward.

REPUTATION

Paige Decker built her reputation the hard way: by winning when no one expected her to, by showing up at tracks where she had to prove herself every single time, and by doing it without the kind of funding or factory support that makes everything easier. She was known as a driver who could wheel it—someone who belonged on the track, not because of her last name or her gender, but because she could drive.

Her 2013 TUNDRA win wasn’t just a milestone for women in racing—it was a statement. Rookies don’t usually win. Women rarely got the chance to even try. Paige did both at once, and she made it look like it was just the beginning.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Information about Paige Decker’s racing plans beyond 2016 is not available in the provided research.

REFERENCES

Getting To Know Paige Decker – Rev Racing
Decker women are out to make a name for themselves in racing – ESPN
Paige Decker – Wikipedia
Decker competes in NASCAR event – Vilas County News-Review
Paige Decker Height, Age, Sponsors, Hometown, Bio – NASCAR
Deckers have Danica connection – ESPN
Behind The Wheel With Natalie Decker – WAMD
Xfinity Statistics: Paige Decker – NASCAR Driver Averages
Paige Decker Wins TUNDRA Round Four at Golden Sands 7-19-13 – YouTube
Decker Sisters to Attempt XFINITY Series Race at Iowa – Frontstretch
On the Fast Track – Volume One
2016 NASCAR Truck Series at Martinsville Results – ESPN
High hopes for female drivers in 2014 – ESPN
Sisters set to make XFINITY Series debut together at Iowa Speedway – Fox Sports
Decker sisters making Xfinity Series debut at Iowa – NBC Sports