Natalie Decker addresses criticism over ‘shirt off’ photo with Bert Kreischer at Daytona

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Natalie Decker recently appeared on an episode of The Samantha Busch Show Certified Participant Podcast. During the episode, Decker addressed criticism from the Daytona weekend over her “t-shirt” photo with popular American comedian Bert Krischer.

The Joey Gase Motorsports driver took a fun photo with Kreischer above the Cup Series garage on the Fan Deck at Daytona International Speedway. She claimed the meeting with Kreacher was unplanned, and she met him while he was heading to a television appearance. “The Machine” is known for his shirtless appearances at public events and comedy tours.

Speaking about this, Natalie Decker stated that she does not regret taking the photo with the American comedian. Decker also claimed that she asked for the sponsor’s permission before clicking the “shirt off” photo with Kreischer. Later, when the comedian posted the photo on his Instagram story, Decker also shared it on her social media accounts. Hence, it led to a backlash from fans.

In response to the criticism, Joey Gease Motorsports driver made a bold statement and told Samantha Busch [22:28 onward]:

“This is a great opportunity to say from your nose to your toes and everything in between, Tia and Dickinson, because my shirt is off, and also, I’m sorry, but my bra covers a lot more than my bikini, and I wear a bikini a lot of times. So for the people who were angry about that, maybe because it’s a bra and not a bikini, but I felt comfortable doing it, and I’m not taking it back.”

“If I had to go back, I would really do it again, because it was in my eyes. It was funny, and it was in the moment. And we’re here to have fun. I want to wake up every day and make sure I’m really true to myself,” she concluded.

Natalie Decker also had a hot moment with Haas Factory Team driver Sam Mayer during the opening Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway. The incident also sparked massive backlash from fans and NASCAR insiders toward Decker for her statements about Mayer.

‘Shame on you all’: Kenny Wallace defends Natalie Decker over criticism of Daytona crash

Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Kenny Wallace has come forward to defend Natalie Decker over the Daytona International incident. Part-time O’Reilly Series driver Sam Mayer criticized on team radio after the huge accident at the tri-oval track on February 12, 2026.

The accident occurred during the final stage of the 2026 United Rentals 300 when Burton’s pocket slammed Ryan Sage as he entered turn one. The accident involved several drivers on track, including Justin Allgaier, Taylor Gray, Jeremy Clements, Sam Mayer and Decker.

After Mayer’s day was jeopardized by the accident, his car flipped on the track, and Natalie Decker was unable to move away from the No. 41 Chevy. Afterward, Decker criticized on team radio and said:

“Whoever that idiot is, go to the fucking hole! Why would he do that?! He ruined our fucking race! Sorry everyone… Great job.”

However, neither NASCAR fans nor insiders were impressed by the comments and called them out on social media. Meanwhile, Kenny Wallace came to her rescue. Wallace stated:

“Dust it off. Dust it off and go to Pocono for the next sponsor race, because I remember your race at Marshalltown, and I remember you running, 15th, something like that, at Daytona. Shame on you all. You know she’s a human being, right? And you know, when she was on her radio, she wasn’t talking to you, she was talking to her team.”

Kenny Wallace also talked about Natalie Decker’s shirtless photo with Bert Kreischer. He claimed that it was just part of the act and nothing more. Meanwhile, Decker’s Daytona race also ended in a DNF and she finished the 120-lap race in P33.