NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Natalie Decker. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

NASCAR spotter calls out Natalie Decker for odd Daytona crash

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Feb 17, 2026 12:21 AM ET

NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Natalie Decker was involved in a puzzling crash in Saturday's season-opening United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway.

As a huge crash took out several top contenders in front of Decker, Sam Mayer began to drift back up the racetrack in turn 2. Mayer's No. 41 Chevrolet was severely damaged and had no brakes remaining.

Decker, who had plenty of time to slow during the accident, plowed into Mayer, destroying her car.

Freddie Kraft not happy with Natalie Decker

Freddie Kraft, the spotter for 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace in the NASCAR Cup Series, said on Monday's episode of the "Door Bumper Clear" podcast that Decker "probably shouldn't" have been allowed to race at Daytona.

Jeb Burton and Ryan Sieg make contact leading to a big crash involving many notable drivers.

Red flag is out. pic.twitter.com/6RBlDOV2WC
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"At some point, you have to realize she probably shouldn't have been approved to begin with," Kraft said. "She's got 13 starts in the [O'Reilly] Series and an average finish of 29th. The fact that you're averaging almost a 30th-place finish is mind-boggling to me."

"It's honestly embarrassing."

The DBC gang has strong feelings about the Natalie Decker/Sam Mayer incident. New episode JUST dropped.
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"It just shows that she's probably wrecking every time she races. She doesn't have a place in that series."

Decker finished Saturday's race in 33rd. Her next scheduled race in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series is on June 13 at Pocono Raceway.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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