Brooklyn, MI- Natalie Decker is making final preparations for Saturday afternoon’s race at Michigan International Speedway after a week off following her 16th place finish at Pocono. She’s back in her No. 54 N29 Technologies Toyota Tundra for DGR-Crosley.
Friday Decker was able to put two practices under her belt at the track she has raced at just one time before. That race came in 2018 during the ARCA series, where she finished in 15th after starting 11th. However, that race really ended before it ever got started for Decker, as she explains.
“It’s so different. It really sucked last year. First lap, green flag, going into turn one, we blew a left rear, and all the crush panels came out. It was not a very fun race.” explained Decker, “So to be here in the truck, it is a lot different. But I’m really excited!”
Friday’s practice sessions were much-welcomed track time for Natalie Decker at Michigan. In her first practice session of the day, she ran just 12 laps and clocked in with a fastest lap time of 40.773-seconds, 26th out of 31 trucks on course.
However second practice went well for Decker, clocking in a 39.827-second fastest lap, 22nd fastest. She also took advantage of the opportunity to get some much-needed practice in the draft at MIS, a very different experience than the Superspeedways of Daytona and Talladega.
“We struggled a little bit in first practice. However, the second practice was a lot better, and we got to run in the draft a little bit and figure that out,” said Decker. “Drafting at Daytona or Talladega and then drafting here, is completely different. Even though those tracks are bigger, I feel like its faster here! I don’t know how to explain it.”
She also noted some adjustments that she would need to make in regards to the draft to prep for the drop of the green flag on Saturday after getting feedback from her engineer.
“Change my line a little bit on exit, and when we’re in the draft, I need to be a little bit closer to the wall and protect the outside from runs of people looking to pass me,” explained Decker. “That’s something I need to work on.”
Comfortability at MIS is a big factor for the drivers, and for Natalie, she’s taken to the track a bit differently than expected from her crew chief Frank Kerr.
“I feel more comfortable in three and four, than one and two,” says Decker. “I was talking to my crew chief (Frank Kerr), and he said that’s so backward. One and two should feel more comfortable. But, I feel like I’ve always been that way.”
After final practice, Decker, took time for the fans to sign autographs ahead of wrapping up the day with a final debrief with the team.
“We still have to go over some more DARTFISH video. They’re working on the car now, so probably in a little bit we’ll all debrief and talk about more it,” said Decker. I’m really excited for the race and to be here with DGR!”
On Saturday morning, Natalie Decker will get back at it with qualifying for the Corrigan Oil 200 at 9:35 am ET. Then after a brief break in the action, Decker will buckle up in her No. 54 N29 Technologies Toyota for the drop of the green flag just after 1:00 pm ET on Saturday afternoon as she guns for her 3rd top 15 finish of the season. You can catch all the action on Fox Sports 1.
Written by Adrian Beecher
