Sam Hunt Racing announced today that the organization will expand to two full-time entries in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, fielding both the No. 26 and No. 24 Toyota GR Supras with full-time drivers.
Dean Thompson, who shattered multiple team records during his rookie Xfinity Series campaign, will return to the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra. He’ll be joined by Cup Series race winner and 2025 Xfinity Series Playoffs contender Harrison Burton, who will drive the new No. 24 Toyota GR Supra full-time.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see not only our on-track growth but also the way our team culture continues to evolve,” said Sam Hunt, owner and president of Sam Hunt Racing. “We’ve built a competitive environment that attracts great people, and I believe that’s the foundation of any successful race team. Dean’s maturity, humility, and relentless work ethic this year have been exceptional. His performance reflects his growth as both a driver and a person, and he’s more than earned his place within this organization.
“Bringing Harrison on board full-time is another huge step for us. He brings valuable experience, strong leadership, and fits perfectly within our culture and long-term vision. I’m extremely grateful to everyone who made this expansion possible, and I’m excited to get to work on the next chapter for SHR.”
Since its debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2019, Sam Hunt Racing has steadily grown into a respected competitor in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Each season, SHR has continued to build momentum and showcase its strength, resilience, and commitment as it pursues its first series victory.
“We’re proud to support Sam and the entire SHR team as they expand to two full-time entries in 2026,” said Jack Irving, general manager of Toyota Racing Development. “Sam has been fully aligned with the Toyota and TRD family from the very beginning, and we’re thrilled with the progress Dean has shown this season. With Harrison joining the lineup, we’re confident SHR will continue its upward trajectory, achieving new milestones and firsts in the year ahead.”
Dean Thompson returns to the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra with crew chief Kris Bowen after a standout rookie campaign that elevated SHR’s performance across multiple tracks. The 24-year-old Anaheim, California native delivered the team’s first-ever stage win at Rockingham Speedway and became the first SHR driver to lead laps in multiple races. Thompson also set a new team-best superspeedway result with a seventh-place finish at Daytona, earned the organization’s first top-five at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and added several top-tier results at intermediate tracks like Kansas. His rookie season includes one top-five and seven top-10 finishes, marking a significant step forward for both driver and team.
Harrison Burton will lead the newly established No. 24 team alongside crew chief Brian Gainey, who previously worked with Burton during his time at Joe Gibbs Racing. Together, the pair achieved four victories and 25 top-10 finishes across two Xfinity seasons. A North Carolina native, Burton most recently secured his first NASCAR Cup Series win at Daytona International Speedway in 2024, qualifying him for the Cup Series Playoffs. Returning to the Xfinity level for his fifth full-time season, Burton aims to build on his 2025 campaign, which included 10 top-10 finishes and a Playoff berth by points. His experience, consistency, and leadership make him a valuable addition to the growing SHR program.
Additional details regarding Sam Hunt Racing’s 2026 team partners and programs will be announced at a later date.
