Sam Hunt made a life-changing decision to leave a stable finance career and chase a dream in NASCAR, putting everything on the line to build his own team from scratch. During the first six months of forming Sam Hunt Racing, he lived in a van, parked at race shops, showered at gyms, and sometimes stayed in cheap motels. The risks were immense, from funding challenges to managing a growing staff, but Hunt’s gamble has paid off, with SHR now fielding two competitive Xfinity Series entries and employing 23 full-time staff.
Key Highlights
- Sam Hunt left a finance career to start Sam Hunt Racing.
- Lived in a van for six months while building the team.
- SHR fields two Xfinity Series entries: No. 26 and No. 24 Toyota GR Supras.
- Dean Thompson scores six top-10 finishes in the No. 26 car this season.
- Team employs 23 full-time staff and has included drivers like Corey Heim, Ryan Truex, and Christopher Bell.
The Van Years and Risky Beginnings
Hunt’s path to NASCAR ownership was anything but conventional. After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a finance degree, he left the corporate world behind to pursue a career in racing. He reflected on the early months of SHR, recalling,
“Well, I’m just stupid.” – Sam Hunt
During this period, Hunt lived out of a van, parking at race shops and relying on gym showers. Occasionally, he rented a motel room after successful weekends, and he ultimately sold the van to fund a pit crew. These sacrifices laid the foundation for what would become a competitive Xfinity Series team.
Building Sam Hunt Racing
Relocating to Mooresville, North Carolina, eight years ago, Hunt formed Sam Hunt Racing during the drive from Virginia. The team made its Xfinity Series debut at Homestead in 2019, gradually expanding its schedule to nine races in 2020 and stepping up to full-time competition by 2021. Today, SHR employs 23 full-time staff and has grown into a respected organization within the NASCAR paddock.
Hunt reflected on the responsibilities of running the team, saying,
“It’s stressful having the weight of that on you, but it’s also the most rewarding thing in the world knowing you’re not only taking care of people but their families. That is like ultimate fulfillment for me.” – Sam Hunt
Competitive Drivers and Early Success
Sam Hunt Racing’s No. 26 Toyota has been piloted full-time this season by rookie Dean Thompson. Thompson has impressed with six top-10 finishes, including a fifth-place run at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. The No. 24 car has rotated among notable drivers, including Corey Heim, Ryan Truex, and Christopher Bell, showcasing SHR’s flexibility and ability to attract talent.
Hunt emphasized that his motivation has evolved from personal ambition to shared success with his team:
“Now, I want it equally as bad, but I want it for different reasons. I think about these people being in victory lane every day because I think it’d be the coolest thing in the world. We shouldn’t have ever become a team at this caliber; like we’re just doing things that I never thought in my wildest imagination would be possible.” – Sam Hunt
News in Brief: Sam Hunt Recalls His NASCAR Gamble on an Unconventional Journey
Sam Hunt left a finance career and lived in a van for six months to launch Sam Hunt Racing, now a two-car Xfinity Series team. SHR employs 23 full-time staff and fields the No. 26 Toyota driven full-time by Dean Thompson, who has six top-10 finishes, and the No. 24 car with multiple drivers including Corey Heim, Ryan Truex, and Christopher Bell. Hunt reflected on early struggles, van living, and financial sacrifices, highlighting the fulfillment of supporting his team.
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