Red Bull Unleashes Striking No. 97 Livery for Shane van Gisbergen's Highly Anticipated 2026 NASCAR Cup Season Debut

Trackhouse Racing has provided the first official look at the vibrant Red Bull livery that will adorn Shane van Gisbergen’s No. 97 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as the three-time Supercars champion makes his full-time NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2026. The reveal offers a tantalizing glimpse of the iconic Red Bull branding that will be a prominent feature on the Cup Series circuit next season, a number deeply significant to van Gisbergen’s illustrious career.

The team previously announced the strategic decision to assign the No. 97 to van Gisbergen in an emotionally resonant video released earlier this month. This number carries considerable weight for the New Zealand-born driver, having been his primary identifier throughout his championship-winning tenure in Australian Supercars. Its reappearance in NASCAR signifies a new chapter and a strong connection to his roots.

Alongside the unveiling of the No. 97, Trackhouse also showcased the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which will be driven by another prodigious Red Bull athlete, the teenage sensation Connor Zilisch. While both machines will proudly sport the Red Bull colors, subtle design elements will differentiate them. Van Gisbergen’s No. 97 will feature distinctive red flash designs on both sides of the car, complemented by a matching red firesuit. Conversely, Zilisch’s No. 88 will incorporate blue accents in its livery and driver attire.

Shane van Gisbergen expressed his profound connection to the number 97, stating in a team release, "It means a lot to have the number No. 97 on my Cup car. It’s a number that means so much to my family and me, so to see it on my car for the first time was surreal. I love the red flash designs on both sides of the car. It’s going to look epic on the track."

Related News :

The significance of the No. 97 extends beyond his three Supercars championships. Van Gisbergen also utilized this number during his highly successful stint in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (now known as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) in 2024, where he competed for Kaulig Racing and secured three victories. This continuity reinforces the narrative of van Gisbergen bringing his winning pedigree and personal brand to the pinnacle of American stock car racing.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season will see Red Bull sponsor both van Gisbergen and Zilisch in a combined total of 25 races. This partnership underscores Red Bull’s continued commitment to motorsport and its strategic investment in emerging talent and established stars transitioning to new disciplines.

Van Gisbergen’s anticipated debut in the No. 97 Red Bull Chevrolet at the EchoPark Automotive Atlanta Speedway on February 22, 2026, marks a pivotal moment. The NASCAR Cup Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway will see Zilisch pilot the No. 88 Red Bull entry one week prior, on February 15, 2026. The choice of Atlanta for van Gisbergen’s first outing in his designated number provides a challenging, yet representative, superspeedway environment early in the season.

The track characteristics of Atlanta, a reconfigured 1.54-mile oval designed to replicate Daytona and Talladega, often produce pack racing and intense competition. This will offer van Gisbergen an immediate test of his adaptability and race craft in the Cup Series, building upon his previous experiences in NASCAR’s lower series and road course circuits. His transition to oval racing has been a key focus for Trackhouse Racing, with his recent performances in the Cup Series indicating a steep learning curve and a rapid assimilation of the unique demands of this discipline.

Trackhouse Racing, under the ownership of Justin Marks and Armando Zapata, has rapidly established itself as a competitive force in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team has consistently fielded strong machinery and attracted significant talent, including the formidable duo of Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez. The addition of van Gisbergen, a global racing icon, and the development of Zilisch signals the team’s ambition to contend for championships in the coming years.

Shane van Gisbergen’s ascent through the motorsport ranks has been nothing short of remarkable. His dominance in Australian Supercars, characterized by aggressive driving, strategic acumen, and an uncanny ability to adapt to different machinery, has earned him widespread acclaim. His foray into NASCAR began with a sensational debut victory at the Chicago Street Race in 2023, a testament to his raw talent and versatility. Since then, he has continued to impress, notching top-ten finishes and demonstrating significant progress on oval tracks, a discipline traditionally considered the most challenging for international drivers transitioning to NASCAR.

The selection of the No. 97 for van Gisbergen is more than just a numerical assignment; it’s an acknowledgement of his identity as a racer. In Supercars, the No. 97 was synonymous with his multiple championship triumphs and iconic performances. Its return to the Cup Series stage, now under the Red Bull banner and within the Trackhouse Racing stable, amplifies the narrative of his journey and his ambition to conquer new frontiers.

Connor Zilisch’s inclusion in the Red Bull program alongside van Gisbergen highlights Trackhouse Racing’s dual strategy of leveraging established star power and nurturing future talent. Zilisch, a highly decorated dirt track racer and a promising road racer, is being groomed for a significant role within the organization. His early NASCAR Cup Series starts, particularly at Daytona, provide invaluable experience for the young driver. The parallel development paths of van Gisbergen and Zilisch, both supported by Red Bull, suggest a cohesive long-term vision for the team.

The Red Bull sponsorship itself is a significant endorsement. The energy drink giant has a long and storied history in motorsport, supporting athletes and teams across various disciplines, from Formula 1 to MotoGP and beyond. Their involvement in NASCAR, particularly with a high-profile driver like van Gisbergen and a progressive team like Trackhouse, underscores the growing international appeal and commercial viability of the sport.

The 2026 season promises to be a landmark year for Shane van Gisbergen and for NASCAR. With the No. 97 Red Bull livery now officially revealed, anticipation is building for his full-time campaign. The driver’s ability to translate his immense talent and championship-winning experience from Supercars and Xfinity to the demanding environment of the Cup Series will be closely watched. His performance will not only be a measure of his individual capabilities but also a reflection of Trackhouse Racing’s strategic vision and Red Bull’s continued impact on the global motorsport landscape. The striking Red Bull colors on the No. 97 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 are set to become an iconic image as van Gisbergen embarks on what could be a transformative chapter in his already legendary career.