Dean Thompson is heading to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full time in 2025.
Thompson, a native of Anaheim, California, will move to Sam Hunt Racing for next season, piloting the No. 26 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota GR Supra.
The 23-year-old driver has spent the last three seasons competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, first for Niece Motorsports in 2022, and each of the last two seasons for TRICON Garage.
“I’m very excited to join the Sam Hunt Racing group and continue to pursue my dreams in NASCAR,” said Thompson. “The team made me feel at home after the two races we shared last year. Everything clicked with us, and we are both in a spot where we could fulfill each other’s needs to help our growth as a race team and driver. I’m lucky to have this opportunity to take the next step, which most can only dream of reaching, and I’m grateful to share it with such an awesome group of people.”
In his 70 starts in the NASCAR Truck Series, Thompson has secured a pair of third-place results at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway in 2023, plus 11 top-10 finishes.
“We’re all excited to bring Dean into the SHR family to develop in the Xfinity Series full-time in 2025,” says SHR team owner Sam Hunt. “He is extremely tough, has a great personality, and works hard behind the scenes to make the most of his opportunities. As in any rookie, Dean understands the challenge that awaits, but he is completely committed to becoming a well-rounded, mature race car driver who can put himself in a position to succeed every single week. Our goals are aligned, and we are ready to get to work.”
Thompson Pipe Group, MCM Transportation, and Assured Partners, who partnered with Thompson at TRICON Garage last season, will return to partner with Thompson once again.
Last season, Thompson and Sam Hunt Racing linked up for a pair of NASCAR Xfinity Series runs at Charlotte and Talladega, which resulted in finishes of 20th and 34th. The Charlotte event was also Thompson’s first career Xfinity Series race.
Sam Hunt Racing has been fielding the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra in the NASCAR Xfinity Series since debuting at the end of the 2019 season. In 179 races, the organization has scored 11 top-five and 26 top-10 results, the best of which was a pair of third-place finishes at Richmond (2021) and Iowa (2024).
Thompson will be just the second driver in the organization’s history to run the complete 33-race schedule, joining Kaz Grala in 2023.
SHR also stated that announcements for the team’s No. 24 entry will come at a later date.
The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign will begin with the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 15. Coverage of the event will be on The CW.
