Sparta, KY (September 19, 2017) – Venturini Motorsports has announced the addition of rookie driver Natalie Decker to team’s Toyota driver lineup for Friday’s upcoming ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards – General Tire Superweekend; Crosley Brands 150 at Kentucky Speedway.
Selected to pilot the No.55 N29 Capital Partners Toyota Camry, Decker’s originally unscheduled start comes on the heels of her early season success and the continued support from her driving partner, N29 Capital Partners, LLC.
“I couldn’t be anymore happy right now,” says Decker. “Our next race was not supposed to be until next month at Kansas – but the guys from N29 Capital Partners called yesterday and told me I’m running Kentucky. It’s awesome – totally caught me off-guard. I can’t thank them enough. The support they continue to show is simply amazing. And I can’t thank Venturini (Motorsports) and Toyota for believing and giving me this amazing opportunity in the ARCA Series.”
Making her big splash onto the ARCA Series scene back in May at Toledo Speedway, the popular 20-year old female driver has been impressive during each of her first five series starts earning back-to-back top-10 finishes in her last two attempts.
Shining on and off the track, Decker’s introduction to the series has been highlighted by her 10th place finish in July at Pocono and a career best 7th place finish in last month’s road course race at Road America.
Like any true racer, Decker appreciates every chance she gets to compete.
“Less than a week ago I was with the team (Venturini Motorsports) doing an appearance in Chicago. I was helping out Musselman’s and PADD (People Against Distracted Driving) doing an appearance at the Joliet Fan Rally and all I kept thinking about was how much it was killing me inside not to be at the track driving. Every driver feels this way when we’re not racing. Moments like these really make you appreciate the opportunity when you get the chance.”
This will be Decker’s first career start in the Bluegrass State and her first race on a 1.5 mile surface – also serving as a warm-up to her next appearance at Kansas Speedway on October 20.
Decker will not participate in ARCA’s rescheduled Wednesday open test session at Kentucky but will join the team on Friday for a full-slate of action leading up to the Crosley Brands 150.
Raceday Schedule, Friday, September 22
Practice for the Crosley 150 is Friday afternoon, Sept. 22 from 1 – 2:30 p.m., followed by General Tire Pole Qualifying at 5:10 p.m. The Crosley 150 is scheduled to get the green flag just after 8:00 p.m.
In addition to Live Timing and Scoring and Live Chat at arcaracing.com of all on-track activities, the Crosley 150 is live on FS1.
ABOUT VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS:
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars for over 30-years in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. Multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports. Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Erik Jones, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Justin Allgaier, Alex Bowman, Ryan Blaney, Brennan Poole, Kyle Benjamin, Daniel Suarez, Noah Gragson, and Brandon Jones. Over the years the Venturini name has become synonymous with modern-day racing in America. In 2012, the Venturini family was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and now find themselves enshrined with such sports icons as Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti, Vince Lombardi, Tommy Lasorda and Rocky Marciano.