NASCAR: Natalie Decker released from the hospital
By Asher Fair
NASCAR Truck Series driver Natalie Decker has been released from the hospital following a lengthy stay which ended Tuesday with her last procedure.
Niece Motorsports NASCAR Truck Series driver Natalie Decker was hospitalized over two weeks ago with bile duct complications related to her gallbladder removal back in December.
She was slated to compete in the race at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, June 27, but that did not happen due to her hospitalization.
Bayley Currey replaced her behind the wheel of the #44 Chevrolet in that race, which ended up being postponed to Sunday, June 28 due to rain. Currey, who drove for the team in two races last season, finished in a respectable 16th place.
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Now after several procedures, the Eagle River, Wisconsin native, who was forced to celebrate her 23rd birthday on Thursday, June 25 from her hospital bed, has been released from the hospital. She confirmed this good news on social media on Tuesday evening.
“I had my last procedure today,” she wrote. “I’m home. I’m happy. And my next wristband will say Kentucky on it cause I’m back and racing this weekend!!”
Six Truck Series races have been contested so far this season, and Decker competed in the first three. She opened up the season with a career-high fifth place finish at Daytona International Speedway, marking the best ever finish for a female driver in the Truck Series, and she followed that up with a 21st place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic and no races were contested for over three months.
In the first race back at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which took place 95 days after the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, she finished in 27th place.
She was not scheduled to compete in the races at Atlanta Motor Speedway or Homestead-Miami Speedway. Of her nine scheduled starts, the only one she missed due to her hospitalization took place at Pocono Raceway.
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The next race on the schedule is the Buckle Up In Your Truck 225, which is scheduled to take place this Saturday, July 11. Decker is slated to drive the #44 Chevrolet in this race, which is set to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET.