Shane van Gisbergen has announced a deeply personal change to his NASCAR Cup Series identity, as he will switch to car number 97 for the 2026 season with Trackhouse Racing. The decision to adopt the number 97 is steeped in family history, adding significant emotional weight to the moment for the accomplished driver and placing the Shane van Gisbergen car number at the center of fan discussions.
Trackhouse Racing Unveils Driver-Lineup Changes for 2026
Trackhouse Racing recently shared a video announcement detailing the assigned car numbers for its 2026 Cup Series lineup. The team will discontinue the No. 99, previously driven by Daniel Suarez for five seasons, following his departure at the conclusion of the current year. Ross Chastain, a prominent figure in the sport, will continue with the No. 1—his number through all six of his Cup victories, including a notable win at the 2025 Coca-Cola 600. Upcoming rookie Connor Zilisch will inherit the No. 88, a number used last by van Gisbergen, who took five Cup wins with it this season. Notably, Zilisch drove No. 88 in the Xfinity Series, achieving ten victories before narrowly missing the title.
Letters from Racing Legends and Family Mark the Transition
In a ceremonial gesture by Trackhouse Racing, each driver received a personal letter revealing their 2026 car number. Ross Chastain’s letter came from team founder Justin Marks, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. penned the note for Zilisch. For Shane van Gisbergen, the message was delivered by his father, Robert, making for a poignant transition moment.
Family Legacy and Emotional Meaning Behind No. 97
Shane van Gisbergen was visibly affected as he read his father’s letter, which disclosed the return of the No. 97 to his car, a number significant throughout the van Gisbergen family’s racing history. Shane and his father, Robert, both used 97 during their careers, notably in motocross and speedway competition. The number also has a special connection due to Shane’s three Supercars championships and his tenure in the Xfinity Series during the 2024 season. His father’s heartfelt words made the tribute especially moving, referencing the pride that Shane’s late mother would have felt.
“That means so much to our family,”
Robert, Father
“Right from the beginning, both of us ran #97 in motocross, we both ran it in speedway. Mom would have been absolutely proud.”
Robert, Father
Shane admitted that hearing his father mention his mother, who passed away in early 2024, brought up strong emotions and made the moment almost too much to articulate.
Career Evolution and Historic Returns in NASCAR
The 2026 season will mark the fifth time van Gisbergen has taken on a different car number since entering the NASCAR Cup Series. He first appeared in the No. 91, where he claimed an unforgettable win on debut, and has since raced with the No. 13, No. 16 for Kaulig, and most recently, No. 88 with Trackhouse. Reclaiming number 97 marks a significant return for him and for NASCAR, as the number has seen little use since 2013, with only three appearances in 2018. Historically, No. 97 has an impressive pedigree, featuring almost 700 starts and 17 wins. Noteworthy figures like Kurt Busch, who won the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series championship with No. 97, as well as Parnelli Jones and Bill Amick, have all found success with it.
Anticipation Builds for Shane van Gisbergen’s 2026 Season
The attachment to number 97 unites the van Gisbergen family’s legacy with NASCAR’s storied traditions, creating a sense of continuity and added pride for the driver and his supporters. The shift symbolically honors the memory of his late mother and his father’s racing influence, contributing to what promises to be an emotionally charged chapter in his Cup Series career. Fans and the racing community will be closely watching as Shane van Gisbergen takes the wheel with his meaningful car number in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, hoping to add new victories and memories to an already impressive legacy.
