Just weeks after a chaotic and heavily scrutinized season opener at Daytona International Speedway, part-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Natalie Decker has delivered her response the only way that truly matters, by adding more races to her 2026 schedule.
Instead of stepping back after the fallout, Decker is leaning in, securing additional starts and reaffirming her place on the grid.
Natalie Decker’s NASCAR Future Grows despite Daytona Chaos with Extended NASCAR Starts
The confirmation came straight from Decker herself. Speaking on Samantha Busch’s “Certified Oversharer” podcast, the Joey Gase Motorsports driver shared that T.N. Dickinson’s has added two more races to her 2026 NOAP schedule, Talladega Superspeedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
“And after Daytona, it was actually just like last night, we signed on three more races in the O’Reilly series. TN Dickinson’s just signed on Talladega in Bristol. And then we’re doing the summer race at Atlanta with a new sponsor called Ventury,” Decker said.
That brings her total to five starts this season, tying the most ambitious NOAPS schedule of her career. But what makes the partnership stand out is how it began.
Decker explained that her relationship with TN Dickinson’s didn’t start through a cold pitch or a networking meeting. It started after her son was born.
During her hospital recovery, she was introduced to the brand’s witch hazel products. The relief left a lasting impression, so much so that she called her agent shortly after being discharged and asked him to track down the company because she wanted to work with them.
What began as a personal connection eventually turned into sponsorship. Now, it has turned into an expanded opportunity.
The season opener at DIS didn’t unfold the way Decker had hoped. Behind the wheel of the No. 35 JGM Chevy, her race unraveled in a hurry. She made contact with Sam Mayer, who was already sideways and drifting back up the track after an earlier incident.
With the field bunching up and little room to escape, Decker slammed into the wreck, ending her night in 33rd.
That alone was a tough pill to swallow, yet the real storm came afterward. Her heated radio reaction spread quickly across social media, clipped and replayed far beyond the garage. Fans and critics alike weighed in, several experts focusing on her frustration in the moment.
However, despite the backlash, TN Dickinson didn’t step back. If anything, it leaned further in.
Daytona might’ve brought plenty of noise, but it hasn’t slowed Decker down. If anything, her calendar is filling up, and the support behind her is getting stronger.
