Gus Dean is back in the ARCA Menards Series, competing in the superspeedway races for Nitro Motorsports in 2026, the team announced Jan. 21.
Dean, who tested for the team at Daytona International Speedway earlier this month, will run at Daytona and Talladega Superspeedway.
Though his car number was not revealed in the release, Dean tested the No. 25 at Daytona, throwing down the quickest lap time of the weekend.
“I’m thrilled about this opportunity to return to the ARCA Menards Series and drive for Nitro Motorsports this year,” Dean said in a release. “It is a new era for the organization, and I’m proud to be a part of it. “I’m looking forward to not only continuing to compete for wins in the ARCA Series but also providing feedback and assistance to help Nitro Motorsports grow their program on-track and with their strengthening driver development program.”
“To have a veteran like Gus in the car really will help get our group off to a solid start,” Nitro co-owner Nick Tucker added. “His superspeedway prowess has me really excited going into Daytona. Getting to work one-on-one with him at the test, I could tell right away that it was going to be a great combination and a great addition having Gus with Nitro Motorsports.”
Dean last competed in the series in 2024, winning Daytona for Venturini Motorsports that season.
Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.
At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.
This is nice but Nitro or some team needs to sign Taylor Reimer as a full time driver ,not just as part time driver for two teams .She can become the fans choice in popularity and bring more to any team she drives for .