NASCAR driver Natalie Decker was heavily criticized after the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts race at Daytona this past weekend both for her driving and some of the things she said. Some of those remarks have not sat well with former NASCAR star Kenny Wallace.
After a race-ending collision with Sam Mayer during the race, Decker could be heard making some unsavory comments. Those two things combined with a controversial photo with comedian Bert Kreischer seemed to get the NASCAR world’s blood boiling.
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In response to the drama, Wallace took to his YouTube show to express his support for Decker and admonish the people who are giving her a hard time.
Wallace to Decker
Wallace’s message for Decker was to just keep calm and carry on. He advised her to focus on her next race at Pocono Raceway and then admonished everyone who criticized her.
“Natalie, you’re going to watch this. As my momma would say, this too shall soon pass,” Wallace stated. “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.”
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“Shame on all of you. You know, that’s a human being, right?” he continued. “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.”
NEWTON, IA – JULY 31: Kenny Wallace, driver of the #20 US Cellular Toyota, during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series U.S. Cellular race at Iowa Speedway on July 31, 2015 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/NASCAR via Getty Images)Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
(Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Decker finished 33rd in Daytona on Saturday in what was her 14th start in an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. She actually finished 18th in Daytona two years ago, but couldn’t replicate that success this time.
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Will Decker rebound from Saturday’s ill-fated race?
This story was originally published by The Spun on Feb 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the NASCAR section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
