UPDATE: Natalie Decker said Saturday that she is medically cleared to return to racing.
Smiling because IM CLEARED TO RACE! I’ll be back in the truck with @NieceMotorsport at Texas and Martinsville. I will also be doing some more road racing with Ave Motorsports out west in the GT4!! 💕💕😍😍 pic.twitter.com/4t8fzib5Tn
— Natalie Decker (@NatalieRacing) October 10, 2020
UPDATE: Natalie Decker took to social media on Wednesday night to explain her recent health issues. She explained that she began not feeling well at Las Vegas Speedway prior to the race, visited the infield care center, and was experiencing a high heart rate and high blood pressure, which is why she was not medically cleared to race. She says that she has undergone a battery of tests, with no obvious reason to date as to why her blood pressure is still high. She says the hope is to pinpoint what the cause is, including a look at all of her current medications.
NEWS!!
Update on my Heath and Racing! I love you all so much and thank you for all the kind words and prayers! I will be back in the car soon💕💕 pic.twitter.com/YFKSSrUsEd— Natalie Decker (@NatalieRacing) October 7, 2020
UPDATE: Kaz Grala will fill in for Natalie Decker in Saturday’s NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series event at Talladega Superspeedway.
Decker was not medically cleared to participate in Saturday’s race.
“My thoughts will be with Natalie this weekend as I wish her a quick recovery,” said Grala. “I know she loves the restrictor-plate races, so I feel bad that she’ll have to miss this one, but I hope I can give her something to cheer for on Saturday.
It’s been a few years since I’ve been in a Truck, but the superspeedway races have been very good to me in the past, so I’m really hoping to be able to go grab a win for Niece Motorsports at Talladega. I appreciate Carl Ruedebusch and REMarkable Pillow for trusting me to step in for Natalie this weekend. I’m looking forward to having some fun and making them proud!”
“We are thankful that Kaz is able to fill in for Natalie this weekend and appreciate him working with our team,” said general manager Cody Efaw. “We wish Natalie the best as she works to be as healthy as possible to return to racing.”
The NGROTS will take the green flag at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. ET and will air live on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
— Niece Motorsports —
UPDATE: According to NASCAR’s Team Roster Portal and its latest entry list update, it looks as though Natalie Decker may be forced to sit out her second consecutive NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series event on Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway.
Kaz Grala is currently listed as the driver of the No. 44 Ruedebusch Construction and Development Chevrolet Silverado, with the same sponsor that has backed Grala’s part-time NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule for Richard Childress Racing.
UPDATE: Natalie Decker thanked fans for their support on Saturday afternoon, saying she will undergo more tests once she returns home from Las Vegas.
I know you are all wondering what happened and what is going on.
We are boarding soon to get back home where there will be more tests run so they can further evaluate and diagnose. I will let you know as soon as that is complete. Thank you for all your prayers and support— Natalie Decker (@NatalieRacing) September 26, 2020
Original post: NASCAR announced right before Friday night’s Truck Series race that Natalie Decker hadn’t been medically cleared to compete.
No details were provided about the issue that prevented Decker from being cleared.
Due to her No. 44 truck having cleared inspection and having been placed on the starting grid she will be credited with a last-place finish.
AND:
NEWS: @NatalieRacing has NOT been medically cleared to compete tonight @LVMotorSpeedway.
The truck was already gridded. She'll be credited with last place.#NASCAR | #Westgate200
— Jacob Seelman (@JacobSeelman77) September 26, 2020