EAGLE RIVER, WI :: Paige Decker has been competing in Straight Rail Super Late Models through much of her racing career. Now, the 20-year-old driver from Wisconsin is prepared for the challenge of racing in the Perimeter style Late Model Stock Cars in 2014.
Decker was selected as one of six drivers to race for Rev Racing through the NASCAR Drive for Diversity. She will join teammate Devon Amos in competition in select races at Hickory Motor Speedway, Langley Speedway and Motor Mile Speedway.
Decker was overcome with joy when she received the call informing her she had been selected for the 2014 Drive for Diversity class.
“I was speechless,” Decker said. “I got tears in my eyes and looked up at my dad and he had tears in his eyes as well realizing this is a huge opportunity and this is my chance to show people that I can drive and what I’ve got. I can’t wait to move down here and start this adventure in North Carolina.”
Decker, who races Super Late Models in Wisconsin, is looking forward to the challenge of racing in the Late Model Stock Car ranks, saying the cars she will race are completely different and believes she has the talent to excel in both.
“The part I’m most excited for is that challenge,” Decker stated. “It’s a different driving style between both. A driver that can do well in both is a good driver so I’m excited to see if I can change my style and excel in these Late Model Stock Cars which are all momentum.”
While many drivers get their start in racing on dirt or asphalt surfaces, Decker’s got her start on a completely different surface.
“My dad used to race snowmobiles with Danica Patrick’s dad and I also raced them and we evolved to the go-kart racing scene and then to the stock cars,” Decker remarked. “We’re a very new team compared to the other drivers. I’ve only raced them for four years. I ran a Mid-American car up in Wisconsin which is like a Limited Late Model, not quite like these cars but close and then a Super Late Model.”
Decker competed in the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series in Wisconsin last year where she became the first rookie driver and the first female driver to win a race.
“This past year was a good year for us,” Decker commented. “We finished eighth in points in the TUNDRA Series and we won a race which was awesome because I was the first rookie and female to win in that series. We came away with Rookie of the Year.”
Decker’s expectations are to learn improve herself each and every race she competes in.
“Every race I go to, I want to excel, do better and progress every race,” Decker explained. “When I leave the track, I want to feel accomplished. I just want to get better every race. I want to look back on the year and say I really learned a lot of stuff… I get really nervous before the races when I’m lined up but once I start my car up, the nerves go away and you get in to that racing mode.”
Decker’s younger sister, Claire, and her cousin, Natalie, also race in Wisconsin. All three Decker girls auditioned for a ride at the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine at Langley Speedway in October. Decker joins Devon Amos in the Late Model ranks for Rev Racing. Daniel Suárez, Ryan Gifford, Jay Beasley and Sergio Peña were also selected to compete for Rev Racing’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series teams.