All eyes on Natalie Decker ahead of first ARCA start at Talladega

Concord, North Carolina (April 25, 2018) – Off to a fast start in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season, Venturini Motorsports (VMS) is back on the road looking to continue the team’s early season success in Friday’s General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Enjoying a recent resurgence, VMS, is off to one of its best season starts in the organization’s storied 36-year history.  Already with two victories and three General Tire Pole awards in the first three series races of 2018, the team is stacked with talent and loaded with confidence.

A key contributor to the team’s recent success has been the rise of Natalie Decker. The Wisconsin native made history earlier in the year winning the General Tire pole award and finished a career best fifth at Daytona back in February.

Quickly becoming one of the sports’ most identifiable up and coming personalities, Natalie Decker is wanting more and will strap back into her No.25 N29 Capital Partners – Yamaha Power Products Toyota at Talladega looking to rebound from her hard luck finish at Salem Speedway last week.

Her disappointing 17^th-place finish at Salem did not tell the complete story, however.  After starting 12th, Decker drove up to 5th during the first 50 laps, and was reeling in the leaders before she got shuffled further back after 1st-round pit stops. As she was battling her way forward again from mid-pack, she was spun out in turns 3 and 4 that left her N29 Capital Partners-Yamaha Power Products Toyota with significant rear-end damage. From that point forward, she had handling issues.

“No doubt our Salem results were a major disappointment for me,” said Decker.  “Short track racing is fierce and everyone is racing hard.  We did our part and had a great car but unfortunately our chances ended too soon.  This nice part about a short week is I’m able to put that behind me and concentrate on the next race.”

With only one superspeedway race to her credit, Friday’s start will be Decker’s first at the famed Alabama track.

“Although I tested at Talladega last fall this will be my first race.  Plate racing is so different and unpredictable than any of the other tracks.  I don’t think one race provides all the answers but Daytona definitely gave me a ton of experience to bring to the track this weekend.  I’m excited. I know my team will unload a fast Toyota – the rest is up to me and doing my best to stay out of trouble.”

Decker, currently fourth in ARCA’s driver point standings, has taken the series by storm since signing with VMS last season.  Grabbing headlines, the dynamic 20-year old driver possesses the foundation and savvy on and off the track to succeed. Decker’s increasing popularity shows no ceiling.

Practice for Friday’s General Tire 200 takes place same day from 8:30 to 10:20 a.m. General Tire Pole Qualifying (group format) follows at 2:30. The General Tire 200 is scheduled to get the green flag shortly after 5 Friday afternoon.

The General Tire 200 at Talladega is live on FS1. All on-track activities will be featured on live timing and scoring at arcaracing.com, plus live chat.