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Channel 9 WAOW Interview // Natalie Decker

JULY 15th, 2011 // RIB MOUNTAIN (WAOW) -  NASCAR has long been a sport dominated by men. In fact, only two women currently race in either the Nationwide or Sprint Cup series, but with a strong start to her young career, one area driver is determined to join them.

She's still two years away from getting her driver's license, but with a passion for cars, Natalie Decker couldn't wait that long to get behind the wheel.

"She was bugging me and bugging me and bugging me for a go-kart to race and it went on for like two years," Natalie's father, Chuck Decker, said. "Then finally for her ninth birthday I bought her one and now we're here."

That love of go-karts has blossomed into a lifestyle for Natalie. The Northland Pines eighth grader now races Super Stock Cars all-around central Wisconsin and picked up her first-ever win two weeks ago at State Park Speedway.

"It was amazing," Natalie said. "I loved it. It was the best feeling in the world."

When Natalie started racing competitively, many people wondered what a Young girl was doing in a grown man's sport, but when she got out on the track, she quickly proved she belonged.

"A lot of people tell me I'm not ready and I should wait until I'm older," Natalie said. "They tell me that a girl shouldn't be racing."

"They have really supported her, whether they started out not supporting her, they've come to support her and know that this is somebody that we want to help along the way."

Natalie's ultimate goal is to race in the Sprint Cup Series one day. Her Dad acts as her spotter during the race and says with the way he's seen his daughter grow, there's no doubt she'll make it to racing's greatest stage.

"That's what she wants to do and she'll probably do it," Chuck Decker said. "Natalie sets goals for herself and she goes out and accomplishes those goals, so I have no doubt she'll be in NASCAR someday."