Natalie Decker first race memories reveal how her path in motorsports began amid the support and energy of her family. Now 28 and with several years spent competing in NASCAR, Decker’s foundation rests on her early years spent surrounded by racing at home in Eagle River, Wisconsin, where her father, Chuck Decker, played a central role in shaping her ambitions.
The Decker family has shaped motorsports deeply, especially in the arena of snowmobile racing since 1967. Chuck Decker and his brothers, including Allen Decker, built a reputation through professional racing careers. Chuck’s win of the 1987 World Championship Derby title at their home track marked a high point in the family’s accomplishments. As the later owner of the World Championship Snowmobile Derby Racetrack, Chuck provided his daughter with both a front-row seat and a supportive environment to nurture her own passion.
Facing the Crowd and Following Her Passion
Natalie recalls her introduction to competitive motorsports at a very young age. Her memories remain vivid:
“My first ever race was on a snowmobile, at the track my parents owned in Eagle River, WI. The world Championship Snowmobile Derby hosts the biggest race that has been running longer than the Super Bowl. I was five years old, and I would practice on the snow-cross track every day after school.”
– Natalie Decker
The scale of the event left an impression on her, as she remembers,
“there were about 10,000 people in the crowd,”
– Natalie Decker. Lined up alongside other young racers, she recalled the nervy anticipation with,
“about 15 other kids on snowmobiles waiting to take the green flag.”
– Natalie Decker
The excitement of her first race was brief but formative. When the green flag dropped, Natalie managed around 100 yards before stopping suddenly and removing her helmet. Her father, both track owner and racing champion, rushed to check on her. Instead of trouble, what followed was a turning point expressed in her own words:
“I was done racing snowmobiles. Little did my dad know, he was going to have to switch to go-karts and then stock cars in my future!”
– Natalie Decker
From Watching NASCAR to Chasing the Dream
Although snowmobiles marked her introduction, Natalie’s motor racing aspirations soon evolved. Early on, she looked to the world of NASCAR for inspiration:
“I knew I wanted to race NASCAR since I was seven years old, and I would tell my dad that every time we would watch NASCAR together on Sunday’s. My dad would tell me stories of him buying Mark Martin’s stock car back when my dad raced cars, and that made me a big Mark Martin fan when I was younger.”
– Natalie Decker
The dream took shape after a trip for Chuck’s work took them to a go-kart track. At age seven, Natalie chose go-karts as her route toward fulfilling her NASCAR ambitions. Her determination led to a special birthday when her parents presented her with her own purple go-kart at nine, launching the next phase of her competitive journey.
Family Tradition Continues Across Generations
The drive and determination in the Decker family were not limited to Natalie. Her cousins, Paige and Claire Decker, also took up racing, initially on snowmobiles and eventually reaching the NASCAR stage. Their shared background in motorsports created a spirited environment, reinforcing the importance of heritage and mutual support in their family history.
Natalie Decker’s story reflects the impact of family tradition, personal resolve, and pivotal childhood moments in pursuing a racing career. Her recollection of facing her first crowd of thousands—and her subsequent shift from snowmobiles to stock cars—illustrate the unique beginnings that have shaped her journey in NASCAR. With her family’s racing legacy as a foundation and continued inspiration from icons such as Mark Martin, Decker’s early experiences set the stage for her ongoing commitment to motorsports.
