Dean Thompson

Dean Thompson Bio

Dean Kenneth Thompson, born on August 30, 2001, is an American professional stock car racing driver. Standing 177 cm tall, he competes full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing. Thompson has built his career through the regional short tracks of Southern California before climbing the NASCAR ladder into the national series.

Born in Anaheim, California, Thompson represents a new generation of Toyota-backed development drivers who advanced through late models and ARCA competition. He has previously competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the ARCA Menards Series, the ARCA Menards Series East, and the ARCA Menards Series West.

Early Life and Background

Dean Kenneth Thompson was raised in Anaheim, California, where he developed an early passion for motorsports. He began racing at the age of five, competing in quarter midgets at Orange Show Speedway, a grassroots venue well known for nurturing Southern California talent. His family supported his early interest, providing the foundation for a lifelong dedication to racing.

After a break from competitive racing during his early teens, Thompson returned to the sport in 2018 at the age of 16, shifting his focus to late model stock cars. The transition from open quarter midgets to heavier late models required a new set of skills, and Thompson committed himself to mastering the discipline on California’s short tracks.

Path to NASCAR

Thompson’s climb up the racing ladder began in earnest in 2019, when he ran a full late model schedule and earned a win at Irwindale Speedway, one of the West Coast’s most respected short tracks. In 2020, he captured the Irwindale Speedway LKQ Pick Your Part Late Model Championship with six wins and fourteen top-five finishes, establishing himself as a top regional talent.

He followed that championship with another strong season in 2021, adding one win and thirteen top-five finishes to retain the title. Thompson also earned rookie of the year honors in the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series, a respected pavement touring series. These regional successes drew the attention of ARCA teams, opening the door to national-level competition in 2021.

Dean Thompson Career

Early Career (2018–2020)

Thompson’s early professional years were spent in California’s late model ranks, where he built a reputation for consistency and race craft. His 2020 championship at Irwindale Speedway, combined with his 2021 title defense, marked him as one of the most promising young drivers in the Southwest.

During this period, Thompson also raced in the Spears Southwest Tour, gaining experience in longer events and learning to manage tires and fuel. His success in the regional series led to opportunities in the ARCA Menards Series West, where he joined High Point Racing for the 2021 season. The team formed an alliance with Sunrise Ford Racing to help them adapt to the West Series schedule.

ARCA Menards Series West Breakthrough (2021)

Thompson’s debut season in the ARCA Menards Series West in 2021 produced immediate results. He earned a best finish of second at Irwindale Speedway, where he also won the pole and led the majority of the race before being passed following a late restart. The performance signaled his ability to compete at the national level.

He concluded the year with two poles, one top-five, and two top-ten finishes, establishing a 13th-place best finish in the series. His speed on short tracks and comfort on intermediate ovals made him an attractive prospect for higher-tier NASCAR teams.

ARCA Menards Series (2021–2024)

On October 18, 2021, Thompson was announced as the driver for Niece Motorsports in the season finale of the main ARCA Menards Series at Kansas Speedway, as well as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series finale at Phoenix Raceway. The opportunity came after his strong West Series campaign. He made his ARCA Menards Series debut at Phoenix in 2021 and continued to develop his stock car skills in the series.

By the end of his ARCA Menards Series tenure, Thompson had earned one pole, eleven top-ten finishes, and a best series result of 24th, recorded in both 2023 and 2024. He also competed in the ARCA Menards Series East in 2024, recording three top-ten finishes and a best result of 21st. These consistent performances across multiple ARCA platforms helped him earn a full-time Truck Series opportunity.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2021–2024)

Thompson made his Truck Series debut at the 2021 Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix Raceway. On November 2, 2021, Niece Motorsports announced that Thompson would drive full-time for the team in the 2022 Truck Series season. When Kris Wright was confirmed for the No. 44, Thompson was assigned the No. 40 truck, replacing Ryan Truex.

On December 5, 2022, Tricon Garage announced Thompson would drive their No. 5 truck full-time in the 2023 season. His Truck Series tenure included a serious crash at Texas Motor Speedway during the SpeedyCash.com 250 on April 1, 2023, which resulted in him being transported by ambulance. He recovered and returned to the seat, finishing his Truck Series career with eleven top-ten finishes and a best points result of 16th in 2024. His final Truck Series start came at the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race at Phoenix.

Sam Hunt Racing Era (2024–Present)

Thompson made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in 2024 at Charlotte, driving the No. 26 for Sam Hunt Racing. He made an additional start later that season at Talladega, finishing 20th. The partial schedule gave him valuable seat time and helped him build chemistry with the Sam Hunt Racing crew.

On January 7, 2025, Sam Hunt Racing announced that Thompson would run full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for the team during the 2025 season, continuing in the No. 26 Toyota. On April 19 at Rockingham, Thompson scored the Stage 2 victory by flipping the stage on pit road, becoming the first driver to deliver a stage win for himself and for Sam Hunt Racing. He closed the 2025 season ranked 16th in the final series standings.

Driving Style and Strengths

Thompson is known for his smooth, calculated driving style, particularly on short tracks and intermediates where his late model background shines. His ability to manage tire wear and execute clean restarts has become a hallmark of his racing. Working alongside the Sam Hunt Racing crew, he has continued to develop his strategic awareness and communication on race day.

Notable Races and Milestones

Among Thompson’s signature moments are his two ARCA Menards Series West poles in 2021, his first career Truck Series start at Phoenix, and his first Xfinity Series stage win at Rockingham in 2025. His recovery from the 2023 Texas crash to return to competition also stands as a defining moment of resilience in his young career.

Dean Thompson Career Wins

Across his national NASCAR and ARCA career, Dean Thompson has not yet recorded a feature race victory. He has, however, posted ten top-ten finishes in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, eleven in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, eleven in the ARCA Menards Series, and three in the ARCA Menards Series East. He has also earned three top-ten finishes and two poles in the ARCA Menards Series West.

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Highlights

Thompson’s first start in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series came at the 2024 BetMGM 300 at Charlotte. After running a partial schedule in 2024, he was confirmed as a full-time driver for the 2025 season. His first career stage win at Rockingham in 2025 was a milestone for both driver and team, and he finished the season 16th in the standings with ten top-ten finishes.

Other Wins and Performances

Thompson’s regional success includes back-to-back Irwindale Speedway LKQ Pick Your Part Late Model Championships in 2020 and 2021, along with rookie of the year honors in the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series. He added two ARCA Menards Series West poles and one ARCA Menards Series pole during his development years, building the foundation for his national-level career.

2025 Season Performance

Thompson’s 2025 campaign marked his first full-time season in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Sam Hunt Racing. Driving the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra, he consistently contended for stage points and posted ten top-ten finishes across the schedule. His development trajectory continued to trend upward, with strong runs on short tracks and intermediates.

The highlight of his season came at Rockingham on April 19, where he captured the Stage 2 win by choosing the correct pit strategy under caution, scoring the first stage victory of his career and the first for Sam Hunt Racing as an organization. The result cemented his growing reputation as a smart, strategic racer. He closed the year ranked 16th in the final series standings, building a solid platform for the seasons ahead.