Gus Dean is getting a well-deserved promotion.
The 24-year-old Bluffton native announced Wednesday he will join the Young’s Motorsports team full-time for the 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series season.
After two full seasons on the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, where he won twice, Dean will take over the No. 12 Chevy Silverado for the Young’s team with 2018 ARCA championship crew chief Jeff Stankiewicz guiding him.
LG Air Conditioning Technologies will serve as Dean’s primary sponsor for a minimum of eight races and serve as an associate partner for the entire 23-race schedule. Longtime Dean sponsor Baker Distributing also will continue their support.
“Gus is a talented race car driver and will continue to be a remarkable ambassador for Baker while establishing a new and winning relationship with LG Air Conditioning Technologies,” Baker Distributing President Matt Roth said in a release. “It’s going to be a great season.”
The Truck Series begins Feb. 15 with the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Dean will also race in the ARCA Series race at Daytona on Feb. 9.
Last season on the ARCA Series, Dean posted one win, two poles, 12 top-five finishes, and 24 top-10 showings.
Now it’s time for the next step in his budding career.
“This is an unbelievable opportunity,” Dean said in the release. “I’m psyched and very honored to represent LG Air Conditioning Technologies and Young’s Motorsports in my move to the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series. Without them and the longtime support of Baker Distributing – my dream to be a full-time NASCAR driver would not be possible. I’m looking forward to the challenges this season will bring, but I feel confident that my relationship with Jeff (Stankiewicz), the support of Tyler (Young), Randy (Young) and the entire Young’s Motorsports team, we will have a successful season.”