What’s Happening?

Former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Dean Thompson will go full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next season. Thompson joins Toyota’s Sam Hunt Racing, a team he has a history with, for his rookie season in the series.

• Dean Thompson will drive the No. 26 for SHR in 2025. Thompson has been with Toyota since 2023 and will continue this relationship in 2025.
• The Daily Downforce first reported this signing on Nov. 21.
• Thompson is leaving his full-time Truck Series entry with TRICON Garage, where he raced for two full-time seasons. While he never won a race nor had a top-five this season, Thompson has improved his average finish year to year.
• Thompson made two part-time starts with SHR in 2025, scoring a best finish of 20th at Talladega. SHR had a rotating door of drivers for their No. 26 last year and has not had an individual full-time driver since 2023. Whether they will enter another car in 2025, like SHR did in 2023, is unknown.
• Thompson’s former Truck Series ride, the No. 5, is being taken over by rookie Toni Breidinger for 2025.

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