Dean Thompson Bio
Dean Kenneth Thompson (born August 30, 2001) is an American professional stock car racing driver. 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 a steady climb from quarter midgets and late models into the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and now the national Xfinity Series.
Born in Anaheim, California, Thompson is a Toyota development driver known for his late-model pedigree in the Western United States. His progression from regional short tracks to full-time national NASCAR competition has made him one of the promising young talents competing in the sport today.
Early Life and Background
Dean Kenneth Thompson was born on August 30, 2001, in Anaheim, California, and grew up in the Southern California racing scene. He began racing at the age of five, piloting quarter midgets at Orange Show Speedway, a venue long associated with entry-level oval racing in the region. His early introduction to competitive motorsports gave him a foundation in car control and race craft before he reached his teenage years.
After his initial start in quarter midgets, Thompson stepped away from racing for a period during his childhood. He returned to the sport in 2018 at the age of 16, this time competing in late models. The hiatus did not slow his development, and his return marked the beginning of a rapid rise through the West Coast short-track ranks.
Path to NASCAR
Thompson’s path to NASCAR began with late-model racing in California. In 2019, he ran a full late-model schedule and recorded a win at Irwindale Speedway, a respected West Coast short track. The victory signaled that he was ready to compete at higher levels of stock car racing.
In 2020 and 2021, Thompson captured back-to-back Irwindale Speedway LKQ Pick Your Part Late Model Championships, posting six wins and fourteen top-five finishes in 2020, followed by one win and thirteen top-fives in 2021. He was also named rookie of the year in the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series. In 2021, he advanced to the ARCA Menards Series West with High Point Racing, finishing the season with two poles, one top-five, and two top-ten results. His ARCA performance and late-model resume earned him an opportunity with Niece Motorsports in the national ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at the end of 2021.
Dean Thompson Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
Thompson’s early career was built on West Coast late-model racing. His 2019 win at Irwindale Speedway established him as a young driver to watch, and his championships at the same track in 2020 and 2021 cemented his reputation as a consistent front-runner. Racing for High Point Racing, he also gained valuable experience in the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series, where he earned rookie of the year honors.
The final months of 2021 marked Thompson’s transition to NASCAR national series competition. On October 18, 2021, Niece Motorsports announced that Thompson would drive in the ARCA Menards Series finale at Kansas Speedway and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series finale at Phoenix Raceway. The opportunity provided a preview of what was to come, and on November 2, 2021, Niece confirmed that Thompson would run full-time in the Truck Series in 2022.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Breakthrough (2022-2023)
Thompson began his full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career in 2022 driving the No. 40 truck for Niece Motorsports, replacing veteran driver Ryan Truex. The season provided a full year of experience at the national level, competing on ovals of all sizes and learning the rhythms of a multi-race weekend. Although wins proved elusive, the campaign gave him the consistency and exposure required to move forward in the sport.
On December 5, 2022, Tricon Garage announced that Thompson would drive their No. 5 truck full-time in the 2023 season. The 2023 season was a difficult one. On April 1, 2023, Thompson was involved in a serious crash at Texas Motor Speedway during the SpeedyCash.com 250 and was transported by ambulance on a stretcher. Despite the setback, he returned to competition later that year. On November 17, 2023, Tricon Garage announced that Thompson would return to the team for the 2024 season.
Sam Hunt Racing Era (2024-Present)
In 2024, Thompson made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway, driving the No. 26 for Sam Hunt Racing. He made another start later that season at Talladega Superspeedway, finishing 20th and providing his first Xfinity Series top-20 result. The limited schedule gave both driver and team a chance to evaluate their partnership heading into a full-time effort.
On January 7, 2025, Sam Hunt Racing confirmed that Thompson would run full-time in the Xfinity Series during the 2025 season, continuing in the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra. The move marked his transition to one of NASCAR’s top national series. On April 19, 2025, at Rockingham Speedway, Thompson scored the Stage 2 victory, a milestone that was the first career stage win for both him and Sam Hunt Racing as an organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Thompson’s late-model background has given him a strong foundation in short-track and intermediate oval racing. His experience across the ARCA Menards Series West and the Truck Series has developed his race craft, while his partnership with Sam Hunt Racing has allowed him to apply those skills at the Xfinity Series level. The early stage win at Rockingham demonstrated his ability to capitalize on strategy and execute under pressure.
Notable Races and Milestones
Among Thompson’s most notable moments are his back-to-back Irwindale Speedway late-model championships in 2020 and 2021, his 2019 late-model win at Irwindale, and his Stage 2 win at Rockingham Speedway in April 2025. His Truck Series debut at Phoenix Raceway in 2021 and his Xfinity Series debut at Charlotte in 2024 also stand as key career milestones.
Dean Thompson Career Wins
Dean Thompson’s career has been built on regional and development series success rather than a long list of national NASCAR victories. His wins are concentrated in West Coast late-model competition, with championships at Irwindale Speedway in 2020 and 2021 forming the foundation of his resume. At the NASCAR national level, his first career stage win came in the Xfinity Series at Rockingham Speedway in 2025.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Highlights
Thompson’s most significant O’Reilly Auto Parts Series achievement to date is his Stage 2 victory at Rockingham Speedway on April 19, 2025. The result was the first career stage win for both Thompson and Sam Hunt Racing, marking a major milestone in the partnership between driver and team. As a full-time competitor in 2025, Thompson continues to build his Xfinity Series resume.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of national NASCAR competition, Thompson captured the 2019 late-model win at Irwindale Speedway and back-to-back Irwindale Speedway LKQ Pick Your Part Late Model Championships in 2020 and 2021. He was also recognized as rookie of the year in the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series during the same period, underscoring his consistency on the West Coast short-track circuit.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents Dean Thompson’s first full-time campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Driving the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing, he began the year with the momentum of a multi-race Xfinity Series schedule in 2024 and a renewed partnership with the team announced in January 2025. The early results reflected a learning curve typical of a driver adjusting to full-time national series competition.
A major highlight came on April 19, 2025, at Rockingham Speedway, where Thompson scored the Stage 2 victory. The win was historic, marking the first career stage win for both Thompson and Sam Hunt Racing, and it demonstrated his ability to capitalize on pit strategy and late-race restarts. The result signaled that the driver and team combination was beginning to find its footing at the national level.
Looking ahead through the remainder of 2025, Thompson’s priorities are building consistency, securing top-ten finishes, and continuing to develop chemistry with his Sam Hunt Racing crew. The early stage win provides a strong foundation, and additional stage points and race results are expected to define the trajectory of his rookie full-time Xfinity Series season.