Natalie Decker

Natalie Marie Decker Lemke is an American professional stock car racing driver. She is recognized for her accomplishments in various NASCAR national and regional series, where she has broken records and earned several firsts for female drivers in motorsports, contributing to her prominence in American racing.

Early Life and Background

Natalie Decker was born on June 25, 1997, in Eagle River, Wisconsin. She hails from a racing family deeply rooted in snowmobile racing; her father Chuck Decker is a 1987 World Champion snowmobile racer and former owner of the World Championship Snowmobile Derby racetrack. Natalie began racing go-karts and snowmobiles at a very young age, winning four karting championships before progressing into stock car racing. Her early influences include her father and uncles who introduced her to competitive racing, helping her develop foundational skills on Wisconsin motorsport tracks.

Career

Decker’s racing career started in earnest with successes in karting and moving up to 4-cylinder modified stock cars by age 12, winning the Super Stock championship at Marshfield Motor Speedway in 2012. She competed in the ARCA Midwest Tour, securing Rookie of the Year honors in 2013 and becoming the first female driver to podium in the series. She joined the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program in 2015 with Rev Racing and started competing in various NASCAR series thereafter.

She debuted in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2019 with DGR-Crosley, followed by part-time drives with Niece Motorsports in 2020, where she made history with a fifth-place finish at Daytona, the highest for a female in the series. In 2021, she moved to the NASCAR Xfinity Series part-time with RSS Racing/Reaume Brothers Racing and Our Motorsports, competing in several races over subsequent seasons. She has also raced in the Trans Am Series, winning the SGT Pro Am Championship in 2021.

Decker continues to participate part-time in NASCAR Xfinity Series events, driving for teams such as DGM Racing in 2024, and balancing racing with managing her own super late model team. She has faced occasional setbacks including sponsor approval issues preventing some race entries.

Off-Track Ventures

Natalie Decker manages her racing team’s operations, sponsors, and marketing efforts, often engaging with fans via social media. She serves as an Arthritis Foundation Champion Ambassador, raising awareness for arthritis. Decker has made media appearances highlighting women in motorsports and promotes women’s participation and representation in racing. Additionally, she has merchandise and branding under her own name.

Net Worth

Estimated net worth is $1 million.

Family Life

Natalie is the daughter of Chuck Decker and comes from a family immersed in motorsports. She is married to Derek Lemke, a fellow racer and team driver. In February 2025, they welcomed their first child, a son named Levi. Further personal details remain private.

Recent Controversies (if any)

There are no widely reported recent controversies involving Natalie Decker.

Key Highlights from Season 2024 and 2025

• 2024: Natalie Decker competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with DGM Racing at the Daytona season opener and several other races, and made history by leading the most laps by a female in an Xfinity race at Daytona since Danica Patrick. She managed her family’s super late model racing team and tied the knot with Derek Lemke in her hometown of Eagle River, Wisconsin.
• 1 August 2025: Decker remains active in NASCAR Xfinity Series part-time racing while managing her super late model team. She welcomed a baby boy in early 2025 and continues to balance motherhood with racing and team management. Her team participated in the Icebreaker event at Dells Raceway Park, marking a family milestone with both her and Derek involved.