After a weekend of great improvement came to a sudden halt just across the start-finish line at MIS for Natalie Decker with four laps to go, she’s ready to get back at it.
“When we started, it took us a while for us to figure the truck out and the track out. For me to get used to everything, but by the time second practice was over, I felt really comfortable,” explained Decker, “The race was going so good, and I believe that was probably our best race of the season with just how the truck was handling and how confident I was in the truck and at that MIS.”
The worst part about the incident was that from a team perspective, it took out all three of the DGR-Crosley Trucks.
“That really sucked, but there was really nothing we could do about it. It was horrible because all three of us DGR trucks were involved in it. But there was no way to avoid it.” said Decker.
This week it’s a second trip of the year to the Coliseum that is Bristol Motor Speedway. The first trip to BMS for Decker did not go as she would have scripted it. As after just one lap into the race, she had to bow out due to an accident.
This came in the K&N Pro Series East race in April though, and despite the incident, she was able to get some valuable seat time at the track.
“Being able to come here in the K&N car and I’ve made a few laps on the simulator before I came here will help me so much.” Says Decker, “Just that I know what it feels like to be out here, and I know how to get on, and off pit road, I know the line.”
Now she rolls into the half-mile more than halfway through her rookie Truck Series season. Decker grew up racing on short tracks. However, she says this one isn’t like any of the short tracks she grew up racing on and doesn’t see a lot of benefit to that past experience.
“Bristol is just so different than any other short track. So, I’m not sure how much it benefits other than you don’t race Bristol like the big tracks.”
Bristol has been on the mind of Decker for a while. As a kid, she dreamed of one-day racing on the track, and now she will get to realize that dream on Thursday night.
“I’m excited to be back here. I really like the track! It’s going to be different in the truck, but I’m excited! This has always been a dream of mine to come to Bristol and race here!” explained Decker exuberantly.
You can catch all the action on Thursday night on FS1 from Bristol Motor Speedway, with coverage starting at 8:00 pm and the drop of the green flag coming just after 8:30 pm for the UNOH 200.
Written by Adrian Beecher
