Kenny Wallace has publicly defended Natalie Decker after her involvement in a crash with Sam Mayer during the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts race at Daytona over the weekend. On his YouTube channel, Wallace responded to the criticism Decker faced from the NASCAR community concerning the wreck and a controversial photo she posted with comedian Bert Kreischer.
Wallace expressed his disbelief at the harsh treatment Decker received.
And I’m like, ‘This is unreal. This is devastating,’
Kenny Wallace said.
He offered a message of encouragement directly to Decker:
Natalie, you’re going to watch this. As my momma would say, this too shall soon pass,
Wallace said. He urged her to move forward, mentioning her upcoming sponsored race at Pocono and recalling past races:
“Dust it off and go to Pocono, your next sponsored race. I remember racing you at Marshall Town, and I remember you running 15th, something like that, at Daytona.”
Wallace also addressed those criticizing Decker’s behavior, reminding everyone of her humanity.
Shame on all of you. You know, that’s a human being, right?
he continued. He explained that when Decker spoke on her radio, she was communicating with her team, not fans. Regarding her decision to pull down her firesuit top in the photo with Kreischer, Wallace noted,
And you know, when she was on her radio, she wasn’t talking to you; she was talking to her team. And as far as pulling her firesuit down, I’m sure she had to take it back; she would. But like I said, if it would have been October for breast cancer awareness month, it would have been just fine.
Details of the Daytona Incident Involving Decker and Mayer
During lap 92 of the race, a multi-car collision occurred, involving Sam Mayer’s No. 41 car, which rolled back up toward the racing line. As Mayer’s car moved back onto the track, Natalie Decker collided with him, forcing her to retire from the event. The incident triggered strong reactions from fans and analysts who felt Decker should have avoided Mayer’s vehicle. Additionally, some viewers took issue with what Decker said to her team over the radio during the crash.
Why Has Natalie Decker Faced Criticism from NASCAR Fans?
Decker’s radio comments during the wreck, in which she expressed frustration at the situation, drew sharp attention.
Are you f***ing kidding me? That hurt so bad,
she said.
What the f**k? Why the f**k did he come up the track? Who the f**k was that? That p***ed me off so much.
The backlash was further fueled by a photo Decker posted on Friday showing her with comedian Bert Kreischer at Daytona International Speedway. In the image, Decker had pulled down the top of her firesuit, revealing her bra. Fans criticized this because many perceived it as inappropriate, although Decker explained the choice was a nod to Kreischer’s known habit of performing shirtless.
Decker finished the race at Daytona in 33rd place. At 28 years old, she has competed in 14 races within the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series over six years and appeared in 32 Truck Series events between 2019 and 2020.
Kenny Wallace’s Defense Reflects Tensions in NASCAR Community
Wallace’s defense of Decker highlights the pressure and scrutiny drivers face in high-profile NASCAR events like the one at Daytona. His comments underscore the need to remember the human side of racing amid heated fan reactions and social media criticism. By urging Decker to move past the incident and focus on upcoming opportunities, Wallace emphasizes resilience in a challenging sport environment.
As the NASCAR season continues, Decker’s response to the criticism and her performance at races like Pocono will be closely watched by fans and officials alike. The incident illustrates how off-track behavior and on-track events can both shape a driver’s reputation in the competitive world of motorsports.
