Female NASCAR Drivers Hailie Deegan & Natalie Decker Add Historical New Chapter to Daytona’s Unprecedented Legacy

After much rain-watching, NASCAR was finally able to get the Xfinity Series qualifying session underway. Jesse Love has bagged pole position, ahead of Austin Hill and A.J. Allmendinger. However, one of the big stories is that both Hailie Deegan and Natalie Decker have qualified for the Xfinity Series race.

This is actually a momentous occasion for the NASCAR scene. As it turns out, this is the first time two women have competed in the same race and have qualified since 2014. Hailie Deegan is higher-placed in the 28th, while Decker is two places behind her in the 30th. What it also means is that both women will be driving nose-to-tail at the start of the race.

What can we expect from Hailie Deegan and Natalie Decker?

This is effectively the first race of the season, so no miracles are really expected. Additionally, the two of them are at the lower end of the pack, so they will have to fight their way to the front. Natalie Decker is driving the #36 Chevrolet for DGM Racing, while Hailie Deegan is piloting the #15 Ford for AM Racing. This is also effectively Deegan’s full-time Xfinity Series debut.

As for Natalie Decker, she is no stranger to the Xfinity Series, having competed on and off during her career. Owing to a medical condition, a full-time career in NASCAR is a little difficult, but she gets by as much as she can. Now, the two female drivers will be looking forward to duking it out with each other for top female bragging rights. In addition to that, they will also be eager to take the fight to the boys at the Daytona International Speedway.

The Xfinity Series grid at Daytona is star-studded

There are many big names populating the Xfinity grid at Daytona. Aside from Hailie Deegan and Decker, V8 Supercars champion and NASCAR newcomer Shane van Gisbergen is on the grid. The Kaulig Racing driver has qualified in an excellent 5th place on the grid and could be primed to fight for victory. Also joining him is ARCA Series breakout star and former child actor, Frankie Muniz.

READ MORE: NASCAR’s Super Bowl Weekend Under Huge Trouble as Dark Clouds Take Center Stage

Muniz is also making his Xfinity Series debut at Daytona. However, he has qualified in 37th place, ahead of BJ McLeod. Additionally, Natalie Decker was very lucky to qualify for the race. This was because inclement weather threatened the qualifying session, and her berth was not guaranteed. Aside from her, Stanton Barrett, Caesar Bacarella, Daniel Dye, David Starr, and Joey Gase were left waiting. Finally, it all paid off for herself and Daniel Dye, who were the only ones to make it.

WATCH THIS STORY: Hailie Deegan’s Bold Leap From Trucks to Xfinity Series

Now, let’s see how these drivers, especially Hailie Deegan and Natalie Decker, perform in Daytona.