Natalie Decker expressed her disappointment at not being able to participate in the Xfinity race at Talladega. The female driver and social media personality was scheduled to make her second appearance in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Season with DGM Racing Team No:36 Chevy. However, her entry was withdrawn because NASCAR did not approve the sponsor that DGM had signed for the event. Decker shared her disappointment on X, mentioning that her name appearing on the entry list was a mistake and she was not informed about the withdrawal. She also mentioned that she has some exciting news to share soon.
Decker explained that she was listed for the Talladega race with DGM Racing because they had a sponsor awaiting approval from NASCAR. However, the sponsor was not approved in time, resulting in her absence from the race. Decker was already aware of this a few days before the event.
Female NASCAR drivers often face criticism that they do not need to work as hard as their male counterparts to secure a spot. Decker, who is also a model, has experienced this criticism and believes it leads people to overlook her achievements or disrespect her. During a conversation with a former NASCAR driver, Decker addressed this issue, stating that the focus on appearance often leads to disrespect, which is a common experience for women in various fields. Decker now chooses to view these comments positively and sees them as a compliment that helps her ignore the negativity.
NASCAR has not yet rejected Decker’s sponsor approval request; it is still pending. If her team can complete the necessary paperwork, they may make a strong comeback in future races. Additionally, there are three more Xfinity Superspeedway races for Decker to choose from.