Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain are set to make select appearances in JR Motorsports’ No. 9 car during the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, as confirmed by the team on October 21. This move marks the continuation of van Gisbergen’s partnership with the organization, spotlighting his involvement in Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR 2026 discussions alongside Chastain’s scheduled starts.
Part-Time Schedule Set for Trackhouse Teammates
The exact events that van Gisbergen and Chastain will run remain undisclosed, and the team has not yet announced any sponsorship details for their 2026 campaigns. The No. 9 entry operated on a part-time basis throughout 2025, allowing both drivers to gain experience in the series.
Chastain competed in five Xfinity Series races with the No. 9 car last season, securing three top-five finishes and ending up in the top ten four times, his strongest result being a third-place finish at Iowa Speedway. Meanwhile, van Gisbergen joined him for three road course races, achieving a notable victory on the Chicago street course.
Full-Time Cup Series Duties Continue
Both van Gisbergen and Chastain have active roles as full-time competitors in the NASCAR Cup Series this season, balancing their Cup commitments with their part-time outings for JR Motorsports.
Daniel Suarez and Connor Mosack, both associated with Trackhouse Racing, also drove the No. 9 car last year, with Suarez capturing a win at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. This rotation of drivers gave JRM flexibility and competitive depth in its part-time Xfinity schedule.
Expanded 2026 Driver Lineup Announced
JR Motorsports previously revealed its driver roster for 2026, naming Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, Connor Zilisch, Carson Kvapil, and Rajah Caruth among its lineup. Allgaier and Smith are expected to race full time, while Kvapil, Zilisch, and Caruth, along with van Gisbergen and Chastain, will receive selected starts.
Rajah Caruth, in particular, is slated for a part-time schedule in the No. 9 car, continuing JRM’s approach of giving opportunities to emerging talent alongside experienced racers like van Gisbergen and Chastain.
Looking Ahead to 2026
This planned rotation of drivers in the No. 9 car enables JR Motorsports to optimize talent and adapt to various tracks in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Bringing back accomplished road racer Shane van Gisbergen, recent race winner Daniel Suarez, and the versatile Ross Chastain demonstrates the team’s commitment to both competitiveness and driver development as they gear up for another eventful season.
