Natalie Decker becomes first woman to lead Xfinity Series race since Danica Patrick in 2013

Natalie Decker made history during the NASCAR Xfinity Series opener at Daytona International Speedway on Monday night.

The wheel-woman led seven laps during the United Rentals 300, which made her the first woman to lead an Xfinity Series race since Danica Patrick did it in 2013. After racing her way in during qualifying, it’s been an incredible time for Decker in Daytona.

Check out the revelation below, as Xfinity Racing made sure to point the statistic out, giving Decker a shoutout in the process.

With seven laps led at @DAYTONA, @NatalieRacing is the first woman to lead an Xfinity Series race since @DanicaPatrick in 2013. pic.twitter.com/i1lk0m3EPQ

— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) February 20, 2024

“With seven laps led at @DAYTONA , @NatalieRacing is the first woman to lead an Xfinity Series race since @DanicaPatrick in 2013,” Xfinity Racing posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In the end, Decker came home P18 after running up front during much of the middle of the race. Still, that’s a commendable performance for a driver who didn’t even know if she would make the race before Saturday’s qualifying event.

The other female driver in the race was Hailie Deegan, and unfortunately, she was collected in an early race wreck that ended her night prematurely, giving her a finish of P37 when it was all said and done.

Regardless, it was a heck of an effort from Natalie Decker to not just lead some laps, but finish in the top half of the field in the United Rentals 300 on Monday night. She has a bright future in racing, and we can’t wait to see how she does next time she’s behind the wheel.

More on the NASCAR Xfinity Series, United Rentals 300

Alas, the United Rentals 300 was far from the cleanest race, but it was Austin Hill once again taking his car to Victory Lane during the opener. It seems like he wins every time the Xfinity Series makes its way to a plate-racing track.

As for some of the other big names in the field, Cup Series star Daniel Suarez was collected in an early wreck, ending his night prematurely as he finished P35 on the night. Meanwhile, John Hunter Nemechek didn’t make any friends, but he came home P7 after pulling double duty on Monday.

Additionally, a ton of eyes were on Shane van Gisbergen, and while he didn’t make a friend in Jeb Burton, he came home P12 when it was all said and done. Survive and advance is the name of the game at Daytona, and SVG pulled it off when the checkered flag waved.

Next weekend the Xfinity Series will follow the Cup Series to Atlanta Motor Speedway. We’ll see who can continue their hot start in race No. 2 of the season on Saturday.