NASCAR driver Natalie Decker knows how to command attention both on and off the track. The 28-year-old Wisconsin native recently set social media ablaze with a stunning red swimsuit selfie that had fans doing double takes.

Decker, who competes part-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for Joey Gase Motorsports, posted the photo earlier this month. The response was immediate and electric. One follower called her “NASCAR’s hottest driver,” while another joked, “I didn’t even see a dog.” The image joins a growing trend of athletes turning up the heat in swimwear—similar to how Grace Hayden's red swimsuit photo ignited social media buzz.

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But Decker isn’t just about looks. She’s been grinding behind the wheel, even though she hasn’t raced since February’s season opener at Daytona. That drought ends this Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway, where she’ll pilot the No. 35 Chevrolet Camaro SS in the Ag-Pro 300.

“Everyone’s been telling me ‘I belong in the kitchen,’ so I am headed to Talladega to shake n’ bake,” Decker wrote on Instagram this week, mixing humor with a clear message to her doubters.

Decker has never been shy about addressing her critics head-on. After a tough outing at Daytona, she made it clear she’s not backing down. “I want to say to the people… that are hating on me for my ability to drive a car, like of course I’m still learning,” she told Sportskeeda. “I’m racing against guys that have more laps at one track than I do in my whole entire career. And the only way I can get better is keep finding sponsorship, keep hustling, and getting to the racetrack. So, I’m not going anywhere.”

Her determination echoes the tenacity of other athletes who’ve used social media to fire back at critics, much like Trish Stratus stunned the Hall of Fame crowd and sent social media into meltdown.

Decker is still searching for her first top-10 finish at this level, but she’s confident that more seat time will translate into results. Saturday’s race at Talladega offers a fresh opportunity to prove her mettle on one of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks.

Fans can catch the action live at 4 p.m. ET. Whether she silences her critics or not, one thing is certain: Natalie Decker knows how to keep the spotlight firmly on her—both in the pits and on the podium of public opinion.