| Dean’s return to Salem Speedway for the first time since the 2018 season appeared like it was going to end with another top-five finish, but late in the race, contact from another competitor shoved Dean into the Turns 3 and 4 wall causing suspension damage and left the Bluffton, S.C. native and the team with a frustrating 14th place finish. Surging forward, returning to the massive 2.0-mile oval of Michigan International Speedway, Dean hopes to build on his impressive performance last year, which earned him a runner-up finish in the final ARCA Menards Series race of the 2023 season. When it comes to Michigan, the track has been one of Dean’s best race tracks throughout his ARCA Menards Series career, which began in 2016. Since joining the tour full-time in the 2017 season, Dean has earned four consecutive top-five finishes, with his best finish of second last August. The afternoon was promising for the three-time ARCA Menards Series winner after qualifying on the outside pole, Dean led 18 of the 100 laps before finishing 0.115 seconds behind Venturini Motorsports teammate Jesse Love. This week, Dean looks to earn Venturini Motorsports their 102nd ARCA Menards Series victory in his scheduled final race of the season. “I can’t wait to get to Michigan this weekend,” said Dean. “I’ve always had the utmost respect for Michigan International Speedway since my first ARCA start in 2017 and I’ve just always run well there. “We had a rocket ship of a car last week and I’m excited about the opportunity to return to Michigan and have a shot at putting our car back in Victory Lane for my final time this season.” When it comes to mastering Michigan International Speedway, Dean said having a well-balanced car that can withstand holding wide open early in a run and particularly during a qualifying run paves the way for the opportunity to have a strong race while also having a whole lot of fun. “We go faster at Michigan than we do at Daytona and Talladega,” added Dean. “I know that some will think that is crazy, but it’s the truth. I have been fortunate throughout my racing career that when I’ve always come to Michigan, I’ve had fast race cars. “I don’t expect anything different this weekend. We’re in rebound mode this weekend. We felt like we were robbed of a top-five at Salem Speedway with a little over-aggression by another driver. We’re trying to put that back in the rear-view mirror and look forward to Friday afternoon’s race.” Dean is eyeing his fifth top-10 finish this season in six ARCA races overall. The South Carolinian started the year with an emotional win at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in February. He returned at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April with a fourth-place finish. Prior to Salem, Dean attracted two more top-10 finishes with sixth and seventh-place efforts at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Iowa Speedway respectively. This weekend, Dean wants nothing more than to end his ARCA season the same way he started. “I’m so proud of the hard work of Kevin (Reed Jr.), Doug (George), and the entire Venturini Motorsports team,” reflected Dean. “Every single race track this season, I’ve shown up with a car with a lot of speed and the anticipation that we can win. We won at Daytona and to cap off a strong record at Michigan with another checkered flag would be just as emotional. “I just cannot thank Venturini Motorsports for their efforts this year and continue to bring fast Toyota Camrys to the race track.” | 
