Gus Dean Ready to Play in the Mud — One Last Time in 2025
ULMER, S.C.: Veteran motorsports driver Gus Dean is gearing up to get down and dirty one more time this year, as he is set to compete in Saturday’s “Trucks Gone Wild” event at Twitty’s Mud Bog in Ulmer, S.C.
Dean, a three-time ARCA Menards Series winner, will return behind the wheel of his increasingly popular Mud Truck, appropriately nicknamed “Vengeance,” as the Bluffton, S.C. native looks to close out a competitive and winning 2025 Mud Truck season with another podium finish — or even a victory.
“This has been one of our strongest years yet with Vengeance, and I’m excited to finish it off in front of a great crowd at Twitty’s,” said Dean.
“Every time I strap into this truck, I know we’ve got a chance to do something special. Twitty’s Mud Bog is always wild, always intense, and I absolutely love it.
“The fans there bring so much energy, and that fires me up even more. Our team has worked hard all season, and I want to give them — and the fans — one more result to be proud of. We’re going there to put on a show and hopefully bring home a win.”
Expecting a packed house on Saturday afternoon, Dean said his Dean Racing team relishes the compliments surrounding his “Vengeance” machine and uses events like Twitty’s to both compete at a high level and continue educating fans about the sport.
Dean also hopes this weekend’s run gives him a chance to set a new personal best by eclipsing his quickest lap around the unique course.
The South Carolinian added the Mud Truck to his motorsports platform less than four years ago, and it has quickly become a standout part of his racing identity.
“What’s been really cool is how much people have connected with Vengeance in such a short time,” Dean said. “We started this deal less than four years ago, and now fans are coming up telling us it’s one of their favorite truck on the property.
“That means a lot. We come to these events to compete, to learn, and to put on a show — and I’d love nothing more than to lay down my best run yet this weekend.”
Beyond competition, Dean has also become a vocal advocate for safety within the Mud Truck community, drawing on his background in professional stock car racing to raise standards across the board.
From updated uniforms to recommended head-and-neck restraints, Dean has played a pivotal role in bringing structure and awareness to a rapidly evolving segment of motorsports.
“Safety has to matter, no matter what you race,” Dean said. “I’ve spent my whole career in environments where the standards are incredibly high and I want to bring that same mindset to Mud Trucks.
“If I can help even one driver take the right step toward better protection, then that’s a win for all of us.
“There’s a lot of passion and horsepower in this sport, and I just want to help ensure we’re doing everything we can to protect the drivers and crews. If I can use my stock car experience to make a difference here, then it’s all worth it.”
After shifting his focus from stock cars to Mud Trucks this season, Dean has embraced the community and spirit of a fast-growing motorsports discipline where camaraderie and competition go hand in hand.
While he’s found a new rhythm in the mud, Dean makes it clear he isn’t done with stock car racing.
In fact, he views his time in the Mud Truck world as a way to stay sharp, competitive, and connected with fans while exploring new challenges — all with the intention of returning to pavement in the future.
And while Mud Trucks has delivered a fresh chapter in his career, Dean is already putting pieces in place for what comes next — including the early stages of a planned return to stock car racing in 2026.
“Mud Trucks have been an awesome change of pace, and I’ve loved every minute of it,” Dean said. “But stock car racing is still in my blood.
“Running events like Twitty’s keeps me hungry, keeps me sharp and keeps me in front of the fans. When the time comes — and it’s coming — I’ll be ready to climb back into a stock car and go after those checkered flags.”
Dean’s impact isn’t limited to the track. He was recently interviewed by LOCAL Life Magazine, a lifestyle publication based in South Carolina, where he was featured in the sports category earlier this summer.
The feature highlighted his achievements in motorsports and his continued contributions to his hometown community, showcasing a career built not just on speed, but on character, pride and deep roots in the Palmetto State.
Dean will announce his racing plans for the 2026 season in due course.
For more on Gus Dean, please visit GusDean.com, like him on Facebook (Gus Dean Racing) and follow him on Instagram (@GusDean) and X | Twitter (@GusDean).
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