Just weeks after her controversial exit from the Truck race at Dover, Natalie Decker finds herself in the spotlight once again. In the latest development, one of the No. 35’s sponsors has backed out just days ahead of her NASCAR comeback. 

Decker, who participates in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Joey Gase Motorsports, was all set to make her comeback to the sport at EchoPark Speedway on July 11th. She had been slated to carry the Venturi Bold Brew as her sponsor for the race at the 1.54-mile superspeedway. 

However, on June 27th, the Nitro coffee and tea company announced that it was stepping back from the partnership. The company issued a statement, which NASCAR insider Joseph Srigley shared on his X account:

“Effective immediately, Venturi Bold Brew is withdrawing from the O’Reilly Cup Series Focus Health 250 in Atlanta and ending its partnership with Natalie Decker. Her meet and greet at Redstone Market & Butcher in Athens, GA, is also cancelled.”

“To the fans and media who followed along: thank you, and we are sorry for any disappointment this news may bring. We wish Natalie the very best on the road ahead,” the statement read.

The company also provided a statement to Srigley in which they revealed why they backed out of the sponsorship.

"Regrettably, the conditions necessary for the partnership to move forward were not in place, and as a result, we were left with no choice but to step back. This was not an outcome Venturi sought, and it did not stem from any shortfall on our part," the statement given to Srigley read.

However, the sponsor made it clear that the decision had nothing to do with Natalie personally. They wished her success ahead.

At the moment, neither Decker nor the Joey Gase Motorsports team has issued any statement about the same. But this news comes weeks after her mid-race exit at Dover had already put her in the spotlight.

When Natalie Decker rage-quit mid-race at Dover 

The No. 22 Team Reaume truck driver's race at the Monster Mile unraveled right from the green flag. Decker was first penalized with a pass-through penalty after pulling out of line before crossing the start/finish line.

Next, she sped on pit road, earning another penalty that put her even farther behind.

After being multiple laps behind, NASCAR then black-flagged her car for failing to maintain the minimum speed requirement.

All of this just broke her down mentally, and she took to the radio to express her frustration as she said, 

"There’s so many things I want to say, and I’m probably going to get [expletive] suspended. You have no idea," she said, as reported by Motorbiscuit.

She also revealed to the team owner, Josh Reaume, that she was not coming back to the Truck series. 

After 81 laps, she just parked her truck and ended her race there. As of now, her husband, Derek Lemke, has taken over the No. 22 truck. 

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason