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Dean Thompson lands full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series ride with Sam Hunt Racing

JHby:Jonathan Howard•01/07/25•

Jondean25

Dean Thompson NASCAR
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In the 2025 season, Dean Thompson is moving on up to the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Sam Hunt Racing for a full-time schedule. Thompson spent the last three seasons in the Truck Series with Niece Motorsports and Tricon Garage.

While there were struggles in the last three years in the Truck Series, Dean Thompson is getting the promotion. He is still in the Toyota family and will bring Thompson Pipe Group on board the No. 26 Supra.

Last season, Sam Hunt opted to put multiple drivers in the 26 car. This year, they are relying on Thompson alone. It’s going to be sink or swim for the 23-year-old driver. But he appears ready for the season.

Dean Thompson’s time at Tricon Garage the last two years was defined by DNFs. He collected 15 in the last two seasons combined. Outside of a pair of P3 finishes at Charlotte and Talladega in 2023, Thompson has also failed to finish inside the top-5 on a consistent basis.

If you want to look at the positive side of things, he has increased his points position every season in the Truck Series. As a rookie, he finished 23rd overall with Niece. The last two years he finished 20th and 16th in the final point standings.

When it was announced Toni Breidinger would be in the No. 5 truck for 2025, the future was uncertain for Thompson. But he has clearly landed on his feet at Sam Hunt Racing.

Dean Thompson – what are expectations?

We have seen Dean Thompson in Sam Hunt Racing equipment before. Thompson made his Xfinity Series debut with the team in 2024. He raced at Charlotte and Talladega. Charlotte was a P34 DNF while Talladega was a P20 finish.

Looking at what Sam Hunt has done in the past, I’m unsure of what to expect, if much, from Thompson in 2025. Kaz Grala finished 19th in points in 2023 running the car full-time. He had two top-5s and seven top-10s that season.

When you look at performances from Jeffrey Earnhardt and Corey Heim in the No. 26 in 2024, it shows the true potential of the team. In 13 starts, Heim achieved three top-5s and another top-10. Earnhardt had a top-10 finish in his six starts in the car.

Sam Hunt Racing is a team that should be fighting for a spot in the top-15. We know the car, with the right driver, can be a top-5 or top-10 car on a somewhat regular basis. Do I think Dean Thompson is a better driver than Kaz Grala? I’m not so sure. It would shock me if he had as many top-10s as Grala had in 2023.

But this is Thompson’s car now and his opportunity to make the most out of what he has been given. What are you expectations for this group in 2025?