Natalie Decker to run partial Truck campaign with Niece Motorsports
After her 2019 rookie season, Natalie Decker will be back as a part-time driver in the NASCAR Gander Trucks Series, as a new member of the Niece Motorsports team.
After competing in the 2019 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Series at the wheel of the DGR-Crosley #54 truck, Natalie Decker will be back to the popular American stock-car championship partnering a new team, Niece Motorsports.
The upcoming season will be the fifth in the history of the United States Marine Corps veteran Al Niece's team in the NGROTS Series: some high profile names such as Ross Chastain, Ty Majesky and Carson Hocevar are set to race for the North Carolina-based squad alongside Decker in 2020.
“We are excited to have Natalie join the team,” said team owner Al Niece. “Natalie has shown a lot of talent, and we are excited to see her continue to develop that at Niece Motorsports. We are certain we will put her in competitive equipment that will really give her a chance to shine.”
Following several successful campaigns in Late and Super Late Model divisions, the Wisconsin lady put herself under the worldwide spotlight in 2018, when she claimed pole position for the ARCA Racing Series event at Daytona International Speedway.
Last year, Decker entered 19 races in the NASCAR Gander Trucks Series and scored 281 points in the general standings thanks to seven top-20 finishes and a season-high thirteenth place in Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
"Change is inevitable, change is expected and exciting, and change is also frightening, but this year is a year I'm ready for!" - commented Natalie Decker.
"I have never felt so prepared with my health, in the gym, and mentally. There are so many things to be excited about working with Niece Motorsports, starting with my teammates Ross and Ty. I'm ready to learn from them and be 100% open minded going into the
season".
Natlie Decker will compete as a part-time driver in the 2020 season and at this moment there are no further information regarding her detailed schedule. Nevertheless, Niece Motorsports announced that she will make her debut on board of the new No.44 Chevrolet Silverado at the Daytona International Speedway event.
She will retain sponsorship from her long-time partner N29 Technologies.
Additionally, Decker announced she will run a full schedule with AVE Motorsports in the SGT-Trans Am West Coast Series, on board of a GT4 spec car.
“We are looking forward to running Natalie for a points championship this year, as well as having her help us develop some new equipment for the team." said Tony Ave, who also ran Decker in two races in 2019. "We’ve got some different things up our sleeve for 2020 and beyond, and Natalie is a perfect fit to both develop the opportunities and reap the benefits in the driver’s seat as well”
The 22-year old will thus compete in a total of 14 races in 2020, with plans to extend that figure.
Update - Here is the 2020 Schedule for Natalie Decker as announced by the American driver:
NASCAR Gander Truck Series
14th Feb - Daytona International Speedway
21st Feb - Las Vegas Motor Speedway
30th May - Kansas Speedway
27th Jun - Pocono Raceway
9th Jul - Kentucky Speedway
6th Sep - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
25th Sep - Las Vegas Motor Speedway
3rd Oct - Talladega Superspeedway
Trans Am West Coast Championship
14/15 Mar - Sonoma Raceway
4/5 Apr - Thunderhill Raceway Park
1/3 May - Laguna Seca
24/26 Jul - Portland International Raceway
29/30 Aug - Sonoma Raceway
6/8 Nov - Circuit of the Americas, Austin
In Natalie's words:
"I have never felt so prepared with my health, in the gym, and mentally."
Ph Credits: Natalie Decker