Second top-15 seasonal finish for Natalie Decker in Chicagoland

Natalie Decker finished the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series round at Chicagoland Speedway in P14, earning her second seasonal top 15.

Natalie Decker claimed her second top-15 of the season at Chicagoland Speedway for the 12th round of the 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series.

It was a week to remember for Decker, as the young NASCAR star celebrated her 22nd birthday by fulfilling one of her biggest dreams: she opened her new apparel store in her hometown of Eagle River, Wisconsin.

But it was also raceweek!

After completing free practice session in P19, Decker took 15th place in qualifying.

The race didn't start as planned for Natalie, who fell back into 20th position after 20 laps.

As she gained some more confidence in her Toyota Tundra, Decker was able to make up some positions, ending stage 1 in 17th place.

On lap 44, a contact caused by Todd Gilliland in the #4 forced Natalie on the grass of turn 4. Soon after she took the way of the pitlane for new tyres and to refuel. Back on track, the DGR Crosley racer completed the second stage in 20th position.

In a superb final stage of the race, Decker was able to get back into the top 15, taking the chequered flag in 14th. The second best result in this 2019 season was a fitting conclusion to a remarkable week for the young superstar, who will be back behind the wheel of the N29 Technologies #54 truck at Kentucky Motor Speedway on July 11th.

“Chicago was a good race for us!" - commented happily Natalie Decker. "We had a good qualifying run, starting the race 15th. We were running well until we got halfway through the race, but we made our way back up to finish 14th. I learned a lot about passing trucks and driving in dirty air. Although I still have a lot to learn about running in dirty air. I'm excited to get another mile and a half in two weeks! "

In Natalie's words:

“I learned a lot about passing trucks and driving in dirty air.”