rifan muazinCharlotte, NC – In a meticulously crafted video released today, Trackhouse Racing has formally announced the car numbers that will adorn its Cup Series entries for the 2026 season, marking a significant shift from its established identity. The organization will retire the No. 99, a number intrinsically linked to Daniel Suarez’s five-year tenure, as it reconfigures its driver lineup and numerical strategy.
The reigning Coca-Cola 600 winner, Ross Chastain, will continue his successful partnership with the No. 1, a number that has become synonymous with his aggressive driving style and has propelled him to six career Cup Series victories. This continuity provides a stable anchor for the team as it navigates its upcoming season.
In a notable change, rookie Connor Zilisch will assume control of the No. 88. This number was previously piloted by Shane van Gisbergen, who achieved remarkable success during the 2024 Cup Series season, securing five victories. The No. 88 carries historical weight within the NASCAR landscape, having also been utilized by Zilisch himself during his impactful Xfinity Series campaign. His 2024 Xfinity season was marked by ten wins, though a championship ultimately eluded him after a hard-fought season.
The team’s announcement was delivered through a series of personalized letters presented to each driver, adding a layer of emotional resonance to the strategic numerical assignments. Team founder Justin Marks personally delivered the letter to Ross Chastain, while NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. presented the correspondence to Connor Zilisch.
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The most poignant moment of the announcement undoubtedly came with Shane van Gisbergen’s revelation. His letter was penned by his father, Robert van Gisbergen, a former racer himself. As van Gisbergen read through his father’s words, he became visibly emotional, learning that he would be driving the No. 97 in the Cup Series for the 2026 season. The significance of this number to the van Gisbergen family was deeply personal. Both Shane and his father have a long-standing connection to the No. 97, having utilized it throughout their respective racing careers. This number was also the steed upon which Shane van Gisbergen secured all three of his Supercars championships and was the number he raced in the Xfinity Series during the 2024 season.
"That means so much to our family," Robert van Gisbergen stated in the video, his voice thick with emotion. "Right from the beginning, both of us ran #97 in motocross, we both ran it in speedway. Mom would have been absolutely proud."
Wiping away tears, Shane van Gisbergen explained that his father’s words, particularly those referencing his mother, who passed away in early 2024, deeply impacted him. The visual and auditory component of the announcement, captured in the released video, underscored the profound personal significance of this career move.
This forthcoming switch to the No. 97 marks the fifth different car number Shane van Gisbergen has competed with in his relatively brief but impactful NASCAR Cup Series career. He made his debut in the No. 91, famously winning in his inaugural start. Subsequently, he piloted the No. 13 and No. 16 for Kaulig Racing in the Cup Series before his highly successful stint in the No. 88 for Trackhouse this past season.
In addition to the driver and number assignments, Trackhouse Racing also confirmed its crew chief lineup for the 2026 season. Brandon McSwain will continue his successful partnership with Ross Chastain, while Randall Burnett will assume crew chief duties for Connor Zilisch. Notably, Stephen Doran will remain as Shane van Gisbergen’s crew chief, ensuring a degree of continuity for the former Supercars champion.
The No. 97 carries a storied legacy within the NASCAR Cup Series. While its presence on the grid has been infrequent since 2013, with only three appearances in 2018, its historical impact is undeniable. Prior to its recent scarcity, the No. 97 had started nearly 700 races, achieving 17 victories. The number is perhaps most famously associated with Kurt Busch, who drove the No. 97 to the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Beyond Busch, legendary drivers Parnelli Jones and Bill Amick also recorded wins with the No. 97, cementing its place in the sport’s annals.
The strategic retirement of the No. 99 and the adoption of the No. 97 for Shane van Gisbergen represent a deliberate move by Trackhouse Racing to infuse its future with both established success and deeply personal narratives. The team’s approach, blending competitive ambition with heartfelt storytelling, underscores its unique philosophy in the highly competitive NASCAR landscape. The implications of these numerical shifts and driver pairings will undoubtedly be closely watched as the 2026 season approaches.
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