Trackhouse Racing Designates Iconic No. 97 for Shane van Gisbergen's 2026 Cup Series Campaign in Heartfelt Reveal

Trackhouse Racing has officially allocated car numbers for its 2026 NASCAR Cup Series roster, a move underscored by an emotionally charged video that revealed Shane van Gisbergen’s new designation: the No. 97. This decision marks a significant shift for the team, as it retires the No. 99, a number prominently associated with Daniel Suarez during his five-season tenure with the organization, concluding at the end of the current year.

Ross Chastain, a consistent force for Trackhouse, will continue his successful partnership with the No. 1, the car that has propelled him to all six of his Cup Series victories, including the prestigious 2025 Coca-Cola 600. Meanwhile, rookie sensation Connor Zilisch is set to take the reins of the No. 88. This number was previously piloted by Shane van Gisbergen, who achieved five Cup Series wins with it during the past season. The No. 88 holds particular significance for Zilisch, as he utilized it to secure ten victories in the NASCAR Xfinity Series before a narrowly missed championship bid this year.

The team’s announcement strategy involved presenting each driver with a personalized letter detailing their new car number. For Ross Chastain, the correspondence originated from team founder Justin Marks. Dale Earnhardt Jr., a prominent figure in NASCAR history and an associate of Trackhouse, penned the letter for Connor Zilisch. The most poignant reveal, however, was reserved for Shane van Gisbergen, whose letter was delivered by his father, Robert van Gisbergen.

Upon reading the letter from his father, Shane van Gisbergen became visibly emotional, a reaction rooted in the profound family legacy attached to the No. 97. The number holds deep personal and historical significance for the van Gisbergen family. Both Shane and his father, Robert, have competed extensively with the No. 97 throughout their racing careers, and it was the number Shane used to clinch all three of his Australian Supercars championships. He also campaigned with the No. 97 during his 2024 Xfinity Series stint.

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"That means so much to our family," Robert van Gisbergen stated in the video, his voice resonating 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." The mention of his late mother, who passed away in early 2024, particularly impacted Shane, bringing tears to his eyes and rendering him unable to verbally articulate his response. The full video capturing this heartfelt moment is available for viewing.

This move to the No. 97 represents the fifth distinct car number Shane van Gisbergen will have driven in his relatively brief but impactful NASCAR Cup Series career. He burst onto the scene with an improbable victory in his debut driving the No. 91. Subsequently, he competed in the No. 13 and No. 16 for Kaulig Racing in the Cup Series before his successful tenure with the No. 88 at Trackhouse this past season.

Trackhouse Racing also confirmed its crew chief lineup for the upcoming season. As previously announced, Brandon McSwain will continue his successful partnership with Ross Chastain. Randall Burnett has been assigned as the crew chief for Connor Zilisch. Notably, Stephen Doran will remain as Shane van Gisbergen’s crew chief for the 2026 season, providing continuity for the Kiwi driver.

The No. 97 itself carries a rich and storied history within NASCAR. While its presence on the Cup Series grid has been intermittent since 2013, with only three appearances in 2018, its legacy predates this scarcity. Prior to its reduced usage, the No. 97 had started nearly 700 races, achieving 17 victories. The number is perhaps most famously associated with Kurt Busch, who piloted the No. 97 to the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series championship, marking a significant achievement for both the driver and the car number. Beyond Busch’s championship success, legendary figures like Parnelli Jones and Bill Amick also recorded wins with the No. 97, solidifying its place in NASCAR lore.

The strategic decision by Trackhouse Racing to assign the No. 97 to Shane van Gisbergen not only acknowledges his personal connection to the number but also leverages its historical significance. This move anticipates a potentially impactful 2026 season, as the team aims to build upon its recent successes and introduce new narratives within the competitive landscape of the NASCAR Cup Series. The emotional resonance of the reveal, particularly for van Gisbergen, underscores the team’s commitment to fostering a culture that values both performance and personal connection.