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Charlotte, NC – Trackhouse Racing has officially revealed the car numbers for its 2026 NASCAR Cup Series lineup, a significant announcement accompanied by a poignant video that highlighted the personal connections behind the numerical designations. The team will be retiring its current primary number, the No. 99, which Daniel Suarez had driven for the past five seasons before his departure at the conclusion of the current year.
Ross Chastain, a consistent frontrunner and a six-time Cup Series race winner, will continue to campaign the No. 1, a number synonymous with his recent successes, including his triumph in the 2025 Coca-Cola 600. The iconic No. 88, previously piloted by Shane van Gisbergen to five Cup Series victories in his debut season, will transition to rookie Connor Zilisch. This number holds particular significance for Zilisch, as he also utilized it during his successful Xfinity Series tenure, where he secured ten victories before a hard-fought challenge for the series championship.
The team’s innovative announcement strategy involved presenting each driver with a personalized letter detailing their assigned car number. Ross Chastain received his correspondence from Trackhouse founder Justin Marks. Connor Zilisch’s letter was delivered by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., a mentor and advocate for young talent. For Shane van Gisbergen, the most impactful delivery came from his father, Robert van Gisbergen, whose words ignited a deeply emotional response.
As Shane van Gisbergen read the letter from his father, the revelation that he would be driving the No. 97 in the Cup Series next year elicited a profound emotional reaction. Tears welled as his father spoke of the profound familial significance of this particular number. The No. 97 has been a cornerstone of both Robert and Shane van Gisbergen’s racing careers, a number under which Shane achieved all three of his Australian Supercars championships and also competed in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
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"That means so much to our family," Robert van Gisbergen stated, his voice resonating with pride and sentiment. "Right from the beginning, both of us ran #97 in motocross, we both ran it in speedway. Mom would have been absolutely proud."
Shane van Gisbergen, visibly moved, explained that his father’s words, particularly those referencing his mother who passed away earlier in 2024, had a deep impact. The emotional weight of the moment transcended the written word, underscoring the profound connection between the number and his family’s racing heritage. The full video capturing this personal announcement is available for viewing.
This move to the No. 97 marks the fifth distinct car number Shane van Gisbergen has utilized in his relatively brief but impactful NASCAR Cup Series career. He burst onto the scene with an unforgettable debut victory in the No. 91, subsequently drove the No. 13 and No. 16 for Kaulig Racing in the Cup Series, and most recently, campaigned the No. 88 for Trackhouse Racing this past season.
Trackhouse Racing also confirmed the crew chief assignments for each of its drivers. Brandon McSwain will continue his successful partnership with Ross Chastain, while Randall Burnett will lead the efforts for Connor Zilisch. Notably, Stephen Doran will remain as Shane van Gisbergen’s crew chief for the 2026 season, ensuring continuity and a strong working relationship as they embark on this new chapter with the No. 97.
The No. 97 itself carries a storied history within the NASCAR landscape. While its presence on the Cup Series grid has been intermittent since 2013, with only three appearances in 2018, its legacy predates this period significantly. Prior to its reduced usage, the No. 97 had started nearly 700 races, securing 17 victories. Most notably, Kurt Busch drove the No. 97 to the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series championship, a testament to the number’s potential for ultimate success. Beyond Busch’s championship, legendary figures like Parnelli Jones and Bill Amick also achieved victories while competing with the No. 97.
The announcement signifies a strategic shift for Trackhouse Racing as they prepare for the 2026 season. The decision to retire the No. 99, while acknowledging Daniel Suarez’s tenure, also signals a desire to forge new identities and legacies with fresh numerical choices. Ross Chastain’s continued association with the No. 1 reinforces his status as a primary contender, while the integration of Zilisch into the Cup Series with the historically significant No. 88 highlights the team’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
The narrative surrounding Shane van Gisbergen and the No. 97 is particularly compelling. It transcends the typical driver-number pairing, weaving a deeply personal story of family, heritage, and aspiration. His father’s reflection on their shared racing history and the inclusion of his late mother adds a profound emotional layer to his transition. This choice not only connects van Gisbergen to his roots but also aligns him with a number that has a championship pedigree in NASCAR’s premier series.
The upcoming seasons will undoubtedly see intense competition as Trackhouse Racing aims to build upon its recent successes. The driver and crew chief pairings, combined with the strategic selection of car numbers, suggest a well-thought-out approach to maximizing performance and cultivating a strong team identity. The emotional resonance of the No. 97’s return for Shane van Gisbergen adds a compelling human element to the technical and competitive nature of professional stock car racing, promising a narrative rich with personal significance as the 2026 season approaches. The team’s consistent presence in the championship picture, coupled with the infusion of new talent and the embrace of established legacies, positions Trackhouse Racing as a formidable force in the evolving landscape of NASCAR.
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