Derek Lemke is set to make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut this weekend at Iowa Speedway, piloting the No. 91 Chevrolet for DGM Racing in the HYVEE PERKS 250.
The veteran driver brings a résumé that spans the Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, the ARCA Midwest Tour, the CARS Tour and two prior starts in the Craftsman Truck Series, where he finished 36th at Watkins Glen and 34th at Dover.
Lemke’s long‑standing ambition to race at Iowa Speedway dates back to his childhood days short‑track racing in Minnesota, a goal that finally aligns with the support of sponsors Crankshaft Supply, Rack Shack BBQ and Burch Farms.
A Milestone for a Multi‑Generational Career
Team owner Mario Gosselin, who runs DGM Racing, says Lemke has earned the opportunity through years of perseverance across multiple racing disciplines, underscoring the significance of the partnership.
The debut also marks a rare moment in NASCAR history: Lemke and his wife Natalie Decker become one of the few active husband‑and‑wife driver duos competing in the same series during a single season, adding a personal dimension to the on‑track competition.
Family Dynamics in the Pit Lane
Off the track, the couple resides in North Carolina with their 18‑month‑old son Levi, while Decker continues her own schedule in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, balancing family life with professional ambition.