For the first time ever, NASCAR will feature an OSU-branded car during the Pacific Office Automation 147 race at Portland International Raceway on Aug. 30. The themed car will feature a black-and-orange color scheme with the Beaver logo prominently displayed on the hood and doors.
Oregon State is partnering with Sam Hunt Racing, and Dean Thompson will be driving the No. 26 OSU/Thompson Pipe group GR Supra in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race. The Race Portland Speed Month event marks the fourth time that the NASCAR Xfinity Series has raced in Portland, and the first time that OSU has partnered with the race team and driver.
“As Oregon’s statewide university, we’re proud to help welcome NASCAR back to Portland and share our pride with the many Beaver Nation NASCAR fans,” said Rob Odom, vice president for University Relations and Marketing.
Andrew Engel, OSU director for Trademarks and Licensing, said having an OSU-themed car in the race really elevates the university in front of a huge new audience.
“We’re excited to support this great event in Portland and share Beaver Nation spirit with the 1.3 million people worldwide who are expected to watch this race,” Engel said.
Engel said the university already has strong connections with NASCAR, including former OSU football student-athlete and quarterback athlete Darell Garretson, who now works for Team Penske Racing as an athletic talent sourcing specialist.
“A lot of former college athletes join NASCAR after their playing careers because of their athletic ability, and Garretson is a good example,” he said.
The car will be on display on the Corvallis campus from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, in Parker Plaza. Fans can meet professional stock car racing driver Dean Thompson, a 23-year-old California native who has been a NASCAR driver since 2022.
“I’m excited to race at Portland for the first time and to give the hometown crowd someone to root for with the OSU Beavers on the hood of our GR Supra,” Thompson said. “We’ve really advanced on-road courses throughout the year, and I look forward to racing hard for the local fanbase and OSU supporters to bring home a great result. It’ll be a great experience visiting the university on Friday, bringing the NASCAR world to the doorstep of Beaver Nation.”
The event will begin with Thompson discussing the upcoming race with Oregon State radio broadcaster Ron Callan, followed by OSU and NASCAR trivia and a chance to win prizes. The OSU Beaver Store will be selling limited-edition OSU NASCAR racing t-shirts, and a group of OSU Society of Automotive Engineers Baja Beaver Racing students will be displaying their 2025 Baja vehicle.
