Harrison Burton will partner with Sam Hunt Racing as a full-time driver for the 2026 season, with the announcement made ahead of the NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Martinsville Speedway. The move, which also sees Dean Thompson continue his role with the team, enhances Sam Hunt Racing’s ambitions as they expand to two full-time entries to compete at the highest level, centering around the focus keyword Harrison Burton Sam Hunt Racing.
Sam Hunt Racing Confirms Burton and Thompson for 2026
Sam Hunt Racing’s owner, Sam Hunt, joined Harrison Burton and Dean Thompson in a media session at Martinsville Speedway, unveiling the driver lineup for the 2026 Xfinity Series season. Both Burton and Thompson will drive Toyota GR Supra entries, with Thompson in the No. 26 car and Burton piloting the No. 24. This commitment signals a significant development for the organization, marking the transition to a two-car full-time operation in the competitive NASCAR environment.
“I thought this would be a fun way to officially announce Dean Thompson and Harrison Burton will be driving my No. 26 and No. 24 Toyota GR Supras in 2026. Really exciting day for us and an exciting day for our company. A lot of you guys know our story and our journey, so it’s a special day and excited to get to work.”
— Sam Hunt, Owner, Sam Hunt Racing
The announcement comes after a year of strategic planning and growing momentum for Sam Hunt Racing. Both drivers have expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity, underlining the team’s family-like atmosphere and commitment to shared values and quality performance. Burton returns to Toyota following a stint with Ford, deepening his connections with personnel who have supported his career from the beginning, such as Jack Irving and Tyler Gibbs.
Dean Thompson’s Progress and Confidence Boost
Thompson’s journey with Sam Hunt Racing has been notable for personal and professional growth, highlighted by his positive trajectory in his rookie Xfinity Series season. Hunt acknowledged Thompson’s determination and ability to integrate into the team, and praised his role in the squad’s competitive edge.
“It’s a blessing and an honor to be on this team with Sam (Hunt). They welcomed me with open arms this year at a point in my career where I probably didn’t deserve to be welcomed with open arms. Just really excited to keep on growing with this team.”
— Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing
Hunt emphasized the importance of drivers fully committing to the organization, both on and off the track. The team sees Xfinity as a critical development arena for emerging talent. Thompson is expected to continue his upward growth, with the team setting high expectations for his progression in the upcoming season. Hunt believes that with continued dedication, both Thompson and Burton have the potential to compete for playoff berths.
“Like he mentioned, there was some risk bringing Dean in last year. Dean was not at his most confident point in his driving career. For me, my fulfillment this year has been watching Dean grow this year as a person. He’s grown to have this humility and this desire to be into the program. I think that has correlated completely into his on-track performance being as strong as it’s been. With Dean, being a first year Xfinity Series guy with a group like ours and making a legitimate run at the tail end of the playoffs this year was a really positive thing. I really thanked Dean for buying in at the level that he did. We are Xfinity racing so this is a development series and a lot of guys are hopefully going to come through Sam Hunt Racing and go on to race on Sunday’s. But really the size of our group and how we have to do it, it takes drivers buying in at a very high level and being involved in everything the team has going on. It was very important to me to share that. I feel like Dean has earned his seat at Sam Hunt Racing this year and I wanted him back. He’s just done a great job and there’s a lot of pressure on Dean next year to continue that upward trajectory and continue to grow as a driver. On the other hand, Harrison is something I’m thrilled to announce. I’ve known Harrison for years now at a bit of a distance, but I’ve always admired how he treats people and how he acts along with how hard he works along with being a very accomplished racecar driver. For me, this was just a very good human fit all the way around. These two guys I think a lot of and want to see succeed and make it to Sunday at some point. I just asked they buy in at the same level and be a part of this team’s growth and if they do then we will have a chance to get both cars in the playoffs.”
— Sam Hunt, Owner, Sam Hunt Racing
Returning to familiar tracks in 2026 promises to provide Thompson with a greater sense of self-assurance and renewed ambition, as well as the support he needs from the Sam Hunt Racing staff and Toyota partners.
“It’s a lot of confidence to go back next year to all the same tracks. I know the guys believe in me and they’ve given me good cars all year. They have helped me out a lot with tracks I haven’t been to, especially a new car I’ve never driven. I just go back to same race tracks is going to be a big confidence boost but also a big test for me to see how much I’ve improved since then.”
— Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing
Harrison Burton’s Sentimental Return to Toyota
Burton’s move comes with deep personal connections and excitement to rejoin the Toyota racing family, reflecting on both prior and new professional relationships. The opportunity to compete in the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra is seen as a homecoming for him, supported by those who have backed his career since its early days.
“For me, it’s just an alignment of beliefs with Sam and their group and Dean. What they believe in and how they race and the way they approach things, it’s just a great fit. I couldn’t be more excited to join this group for what feels like going back home with our friends with Toyota. Ford has been great for me in my career as well and have given me great opportunities and I’ll have great friendships there forever. It’s very sentimental for me to go back where it started with Toyota, guys like Jack (Irving) and Tyler (Gibbs) who have had my back even when I was racing with Ford. It’s really special and I couldn’t be more excited.”
— Harrison Burton, No. 24 Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing
Access to the Toyota Performance Center will offer Burton advanced support, including tailor-made physical and mental training. He described the evolution of the facility and how its development has enhanced not just strength and fitness but also the mental edge critical in racing. Nutritional support is one of the many advantages that he and other drivers gain, helping them prepare thoroughly for the demanding schedule of the Xfinity Series.
“I see Jack (Irving) fist pumping back there. First of all, my wife is excited because she will have me a little stronger, so she’s pumped about that. For me, having a support system around you where it’s really like being a professional athlete 24/7. I was there years ago and when it was originally the Toyota Performance Center, it was a storage unit and we were there with extremes in the middle of the summer and the middle of the winter and then all the sudden it grew into a massive multimillion dollar gym. What Toyota has put into that program to give their drivers the best physical training, the best mental training. It’s things you wouldn’t even think about. Sometimes as a driver you go through the motions, and that group is always asking ‘did you think about this or have you thought about that’. Just having you become a stronger person and driver when you show up at the racetrack and just having that confidence to dot all your i’s and cross your t’s. Racing is mental 99 percent of the time. When you show up with confidence and prepared compared to the rest of the field, that’s huge. The kitchen is also a great resource. They have a nutritionist on staff and things that make life easy for you as a driver, just knowing the things you put into your body and how it’s going to affect your body.”
— Harrison Burton, No. 24 Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing
Team Growth Sparks Transition to Two Full-Time Entries
The expansion to two full-time cars is due to the organization’s improved preparation processes and strategic personnel hires, according to Hunt. The strengthened relationship with Toyota and the tools provided, including simulator time and technical support, have enabled SHR to pursue this growth confidently.
“It’s just our preparation level. Being able to bring the same caliber of racecars every single week and not feeling like we are sacrificing one week to help us out on another week. I think we’ve grown on the personnel side, we’ve had a lot of really solid hires that have helped out with that preparation. Being able to use the tools Toyota provides us and the tools they have and the simulator time we can offer these guys, that Toyota partnership is instrumental in our teams growth. I’ve always had the fear trying to run too fast too quickly and tripping because I think you see a lot of groups do this in this world. I think it’s really easy to do and it’s easy to get ahead of yourself. I felt like Harrison and where he is at in his career it’s just a perfect fit for where we are at and where we want to go. A lot of it is just trusting your gut.”
— Sam Hunt, Owner, Sam Hunt Racing
Growth within the organization has required careful planning and investment in quality staff, a theme Hunt returned to multiple times in the media session. As the demands of a larger operation come into play, SHR remains focused on maintaining its culture and hiring excellent people at every level, from engineers to drivers to support staff.
“We carried a load this year with one and-a-half cars knowing we wanted to be prepared for when this situation arose. There are definitely a few positions that we are actively looking to hire. But we are also in a pretty good place. Growth always comes with challenges, I think for me it’s continuing to surround myself with the people I do, whether it be our management or Toyota and TRD and those folks there who have always looked out for me in this program. I’ve told you before, this place was built on good people and we are going to keep good people coming in.”
— Sam Hunt, Owner, Sam Hunt Racing
Potential for Additional Talent in 2026
The future of the team could see further additions, as discussions remain open regarding part-time opportunities for talented drivers such as Corey Heim. Hunt has formed a strong relationship with Heim, and while his involvement depends on other factors, there’s optimism about potentially collaborating again during the season.
“I would say all of that is still to be determined. Corey Heim and I are very close, he’s like a little brother to me and obviously he’s a very talented racecar driver. He’s a Sunday guy in the making. As Sam Hunt and Sam Hunt Racing, I don’t control where Corey Heim goes. Obviously, he’s part of another development program. I’m open to the idea of working with Corey. He’s done a lot for this race team over the past few years. I do hope to continue to have him involved. For me, it’s just waiting for me to see other events play out that are out of my control. But I can tell you that we would welcome working with Corey in some capacity next year.”
— Sam Hunt, Owner, Sam Hunt Racing
What the 2026 Season Means for Sam Hunt Racing
Harrison Burton joining Sam Hunt Racing’s 2026 driver lineup, with Dean Thompson securing another season, sets the team up for one of its most ambitious campaigns yet. The full-time expansion to two Toyota GR Supra entries reflects not only organizational development, but also the team’s commitment to nurturing talent and building competitive operations in the Xfinity Series. With robust support from Toyota, continued progress behind the scenes, and drivers aligned with the team’s values and direction, Sam Hunt Racing aims to secure playoff spots and advance its reputation among NASCAR’s elite development teams. The passionate statements from drivers and owner alike underline the optimism and determination driving the organization into 2026 and beyond.
