The NASCAR driver struggled to get it into reverse at Bristol Motor Speedway
On Friday night, the NASCAR O’Reilly Series raced at Bristol Motor Speedway. Natalie Decker made her return to the sport.
On lap 124, Decker spun exiting turn two with help from Anthony Alfredo. Decker spun toward the infield wall. After a long slide, she made the lightest nose contact with the inside wall.
Parker Kligerman stated from the broadcast booth, “That might be as gently as you could get into the wall as I’ve ever seen at Bristol.”
The crew jumped on the radio, “Fire it up and backup if you can please.”
Decker was still stuck on the inside wall and struggling to find reverse.
Kligerman added, “It’s down and to the right.”
However, there was a reason for that incident. She knows where reverse is, the car was just broken. Decker explained after the race…
Bristol Race Results: NASCAR O’Reilly (September 18, 2026)
Natalie Decker comments after Bristol
“Bristol debrief!! Overall there is a lot of things I need to work on myself, the number one thing to work on was my fire off speed but once I got in a rhythm I was happy with that rhythm,” Decker stated via social media.
“From the start of the day the clutch was slipping and we didn’t realize it until it got really bad during the race and ultimately that ended our day early. Thank you @tndickinsons for being here all weekend and so involved with every aspect of my weekend.”
A fan commented on the reverse incident.
She clarified, “It literally wouldn’t let me put it in reverse.”
There’s only one race left for the busy week at Bristol Motor Speedway. Tonight, the NASCAR Cup Series rolls onto the half-mile in Tennessee.
NASCAR Cup Series Starting Lineup & TV Schedule: Bristol (September 2026)
