With just two races left in his rookie NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series (NGOTS) season, Young’s Motorsports driver Gus Dean (@gusdean) is prepared to end the season on a high note beginning with Friday night’s Lucas Oil 150 at ISM (Ariz.) Raceway.
Dean, a native of Bluffton, S.C. has never been to the 1.0-mile track in the heart of Phoenix, Ariz. – but the two-time ARCA Menards Series winner is leaning on his team and the advice of two-time Truck Series champion Todd Bodine to make his inaugural start at ISM Raceway a memorable one.
“I can’t believe there are just two races left in the Truck Series,” said Dean. “I’ve learned a lot this year and I’ll continue to learn even more competing at a track I’ve never been to.”
“Luckily, I’ve studied film and photography while also getting some tips from Todd Bodine and I’ll be able to lean on my truck owner Tyler (Young) who has raced at ISM Raceway before during practice.”
With the penultimate race on deck for the 24-year-old, Dean enters his 22nd career Truck Series race with momentum on his side following a strong top-15 finish in the most recent race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway two weeks ago.
After qualifying inside the top-20, Dean raced his way inside the top-10 – climbing to as high as seventh before being spun out in the final 10 laps of the race. The rookie recovered in spectacular fashion racing from 19th to 14th in the final two laps of the race.
“Even though we don’t always have the results to show for it, we’ve had a strong second half of the season,” added Dean. “Talladega we had an opportunity to get into Victory Lane and got turned with a few laps to go.
“At Martinsville, we were patient and let the race come to us and moved ourselves inside the top-10 before short track aggression took over and drivers began using their bumpers too much.
“Luckily, we were able to bounce back and have a lot of positives to carry us to Phoenix this weekend and Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 15.”
LG Air Conditioning Technologies and Baker Distributing return for their seventh sponsored race of the 2019 season in Friday night’s 150-lap rumble.
“We’ve had a lot of exposure with Baker Distributing and LG this season and I want to continue that at ISM Raceway this weekend,” added Dean. “The best way to do that is finding our way to the front.
“It’s going to be a competitive field this weekend, but I have confidence in my crew chief Pickle (Ryan Loudon) that we can get our No. 12 LG Air Conditioning Technologies Chevrolet Silverado dialed in to be a contender when it counts most.
“It’s a short race so if our truck isn’t dialed in during the first stage, we’ll have to work on it to make sure we can take advantage of the other two stages to be a contending truck.
“We’re going to have a lot of guests at the next two races, so we just need to stay focused and hope when the checkered flag falls – everyone is satisfied with our finish!”
Dean Racing PR
