NATALIE DECKER Opens Up on Racing in DANICA PATRICK’s Shadow & Sponsorship

November 21, 2025

• NATALIE DECKER refuses to feel pressured by DANICA PATRICK’s retirement, instead channeling self-imposed motivation toward her Cup Series dreams. While acknowledging Patrick’s trailblazing impact, Decker emphasizes the personal drive that’s fueled her NASCAR aspirations since childhood, proving she’s carving her own path rather than simply filling someone else’s shoes.
• The landscape Decker entered was fundamentally different from Patrick’s early days, with male competitors already accustomed to racing alongside women. However, Decker’s journey began at 12 in full-sized stock cars, where her youth initially shielded her from understanding the barriers she was breaking – a blessing that allowed her to focus purely on racing rather than external expectations.
• Despite progress in acceptance, Decker identifies sponsorship as the sport’s most persistent challenge, calling it the hardest part that consumes drivers’ energy just to maintain their seats. Her candid assessment highlights how financial barriers remain steep even as cultural acceptance has improved, showing that while we’ve made strides in welcoming female talent, the business side still demands serious work.

corporate sponsorship, cup series, euro nascar open, late model stock cars