Claire Decker

Claire Decker is an American professional stock car racing driver who competed in NASCAR’s national series and came from a legendary snowmobiling family before making her mark on asphalt.

EARLY YEARS

Born February 22, 1995, in Eagle River, Wisconsin, Claire grew up in a family where speed was a birthright. Her father, Allen Decker, was a factory rider for Bombardier and a teammate of Jacques Villeneuve, a three-time World Championship snowmobile racer[1]. Four Decker brothers—including Allen—raced snowmobiles in the 1970s, establishing a family legacy on snow long before the sisters turned to stock cars[2]. Claire started riding snowmobiles at age 3, but everything changed when she attended her younger cousin’s go-kart race[3]. That visit shifted her trajectory from snow to asphalt, and she never looked back.

OTHER INTERESTS

Claire attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, balancing her education with her racing ambitions[4].

EARLY SUCCESS

Decker cut her teeth in Wisconsin’s short track scene, racing super late models and building a reputation as a fierce competitor. In 2014, she won the Dick Trickle Memorial 99 (+1) race at Marshfield Motor Speedway in Marshfield, Wisconsin—a significant milestone that put her name on the map[5]. That same year, she was selected as a participant in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, a platform designed to develop young, female, and multicultural drivers with talent and growth potential[6]. She also competed in the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge, a televised competition that aired on Velocity in August 2014, where aspiring drivers battled for a shot at advancing their NASCAR careers[7].

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2014: Won the Dick Trickle Memorial 99 (+1) at Marshfield Motor Speedway[5].
• 2014: Participated in NASCAR Drive for Diversity program[6].
• 2014: Competed in the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge[7].
• 2016: Made her NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Martinsville Speedway, finishing 27th after starting 31st in the Alpha Energy Solutions 250[8].
• 2016: Attempted her second Truck Series start at Iowa Speedway in the Speediatrics 200, finishing 32nd[8].

INSPIRATIONS

The Decker family has an unexpected connection to Danica Patrick. Claire’s aunt, Sue Decker, introduced Danica Patrick’s parents and was once married to Claire’s uncle, Mike Decker[9]. “We were very connected,” said Allen Decker[9]. While the family dynamic shifted over time, the Danica connection was part of the racing atmosphere Claire grew up around—proof that the motorsports world can be surprisingly small, especially when women are breaking through.

REPUTATION

Claire is one of three Decker women—two sisters and a cousin—who raced in NASCAR’s national series during the 2010s, making the family name synonymous with female representation in stock car racing[10]. She and her sister Paige made history when they both attempted to make their NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Iowa Speedway in 2016, becoming one of the rare sibling duos to compete at that level[11]. The Decker sisters raced for Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing during their Truck Series starts, another female-owned team, creating a network of women supporting women in one of the toughest environments in motorsports[12]. “They just call us the Deckers, like we’re all the same,” Claire said. “We’re totally different”[13]. That statement captures the challenge and the charm of being part of a racing dynasty: you’re both lifted and defined by your family name, but ultimately, you have to prove yourself on your own terms.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

No confirmed future plans or goals for 2025 and beyond are available in the provided research.

REFERENCES

[1] ESPN: Decker women are out to make a name for themselves in racing
[2] Wikipedia: Claire Decker
[3] Volume One: On the Fast Track
[4] EduRank: Notable Alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
[5] NBC Sports: Decker sisters making Xfinity Series debut at Iowa
[6] Rev Racing: Young, Multicultural And Female Drivers Compete For Spot In NASCAR
[7] YouTube: PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge Hopeful: Claire Decker
[8] ESPN: Claire Decker Race Results 2016
[9] ESPN: Deckers have Danica connection
[10] Frontstretch: NASCAR 101: NASCAR’s Racing Women of the Last Decade
[11] NBC Sports: Decker sisters making Xfinity Series debut at Iowa
[12] Driver Database: Claire Decker Racing Career Profile
[13] ESPN: Decker women are out to make a name for themselves in racing