Blythe Deckman

J. Blythe Deckman, a second-generation driver is currently in her third year of competitively racing. At 22 years of age, Blythe is one of the nations few successful female drivers. Blythe has been involved in cars and the mechanics of them since she was a little girl while helping her dad, Billy Deckman, compete at local racetracks. She began spotting for her dad in 1994 at the age of 13. That year, she and her dad won track championships at both Lakeside and I-70 Speedways.

It was in October of 2001, when Billy came to her and said that he was finished racing at the local level and was going to sell his Late Model. The news broke Blythe’s heart, after all she had practically grown-up at the racetrack. She asked her dad if she could take over the driving responsibilities for Deckman Motorsports. A few weeks later, Billy gave her an opportunity to practice at I-70 Speedway in the Late Model, a premier competing division. After two hours of getting used to the car, she turned several laps in the 18:60 second range. This is only a second off of the race pace. She and Billy were elated and they purchased a Dash Series car to begin her career.

In 2002, she premiered her #68 red and white Dash Series car at the high banks of I-70 Speedway in Odessa, MO. She experienced a lot of ups and downs, and every week brought a new challenge. Her competitors respected her and her driving, which gave her confidence to advance her racing abilities. She ended the year overall 14th in points with 5 heat race wins and 5 top five feature finishes with a high place of 3rd, twice. Her 2002 goal was ‘Rookie of the Year.’ Although she did not receive this distinguished award, she learned a great deal from her first year of racing, which ultimately prepared her for the current series in which she competes, the Super Truck Series.

In 2003, Blythe fulfilled her goals for the season with a Super Truck Championship. She is only one of only fifteen female champions in the nation and the first female to top the points ranking in the history of the 34-year old track. In her first year as a super truck driver for Deckman Motorsports, she won her first career victory in only her second attempt. This win meant a lot to her and her family. “Hearing my dad on the radios telling me to drive smooth and that I was doing a great job was very emotional for me. I was always the one to talk to him on the radios.” She stated. “The entire night, the truck felt like it was glued to the racetrack, and it was very fitting to win my first race with my dad and sister on the radios. I’ll never forget that first win!” Blythe added. Throughout 2003, Blythe started sixteen feature events with sixteen top tens and eleven top fives. Blythe won five heat races and five feature events.

On June 28, 2003, Blythe single handedly organized “Race for Crystal’s Sight.” Through the racing community, Blythe raised over $1,500.00 for Crystal Coin, who is a 13-year old Independence, MO native that has developed Retinitis Pigmentosa, deterioration of the Retina. She has endured several sessions of testing and as of yet, they have found no cure. Blythe was recognized for her efforts at the 2003 C.A.R.B. Banquet as she was voted as the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.

2004 has already become a promising year for Blythe as she became the secondary driver for the VIG Racing program in January. Her ambition is to become the ‘Rookie of the Year’ within the Mid-America Racing Series and finish in the top five overall. “This move to VIG Racing feels like the perfect next step in my career. I am anxious to learn from Johns experience and I expect great accomplishments between and John and myself in 2004.”