Shane van Gisbergen car number news has electrified the NASCAR community after Trackhouse Racing revealed that van Gisbergen will take on the No. 97 for the 2026 season. The announcement came via a heartfelt video where each of the team’s full-time Cup drivers received a letter unveiling their upcoming car number, emphasizing Trackhouse’s bold move to let drivers shape their own brand and legacy with unique identifiers.
During the video, Shane van Gisbergen—often referred to as SVG—was given a note from his father, Robert, sharing the deep family significance of No. 97. Overwhelmed with emotion, the Kiwi driver became visibly moved while reading the message, which touched on the personal history and pride behind the new number. This personal approach marked a departure from the usual methods of assigning numbers, as the team chose to prioritize drivers’ identities.
Team Restructuring to Empower Drivers
Trackhouse Racing’s founder and owner, Justin Marks, was widely praised for his progressive thinking. Corey LaJoie, a former NASCAR Cup driver, reacted on social media after the reveal:
“Man this is a big deal. Kudos to [Justin Marks] and [Trackhouse Racing] for seeing the value of branding the identity of a number around the driver rather than forcing the driver to conform to an arbitrary number.”
– Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Driver
As part of these changes, Trackhouse will retire the No. 99 that Daniel Suárez drove since the team made its Cup Series debut. This shakeup creates new opportunities across the board, with SVG moving from his season-long run in Kaulig Racing’s No. 97 Chevy in the Xfinity Series, into the Cup Series spotlight. After earning five Cup wins in the No. 88, van Gisbergen secured a playoff spot in his rookie year, highlighting his rapid adaptation and success.
Connor Zilisch and Ross Chastain Embrace New Numbers
The team’s roster adjustment now sees rookie Connor Zilisch stepping into the No. 88 machine, a coveted spot given his record-shattering 10-win season in the Xfinity Series. Zilisch’s entry into the Cup ranks was confirmed through a personal letter from legendary former team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. Meanwhile, Ross Chastain received his assignment for next year directly from Justin Marks, keeping him in the No. 1 car.
Van Gisbergen’s Steady Rise and Family Support
Shane van Gisbergen did not start the year as a frontrunner in the NASCAR Cup Series—but with perseverance, he climbed from outside the top 30 to strong finishes at major oval tracks, earning his first Cup Series oval top-10 at Kansas and securing respectable results at Talladega and Martinsville. He capped the season with a major milestone by taking a Legends car victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Cook Out Summer Shootout, demonstrating adaptability on iconic American circuits.
“You know, Stephen was a pretty new crew chief, and the driver was the problem at that stage. It was all new to me, so I think we kind of built up together. Yeah, we were a 35th-, 36th-place car at the start of the year, and it’s amazing where we’re at now compared to where we started,” Shane van Gisbergen said, via NASCAR.
– Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Award Recognition and Future Prospects
SVG’s determination and ongoing improvement were formally recognized when he received the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year award at the official ceremony. This accolade caps a breakthrough season for van Gisbergen, who now prepares to race under the No. 97—further cementing his and his family’s legacy within the sport.
Trackhouse Racing’s approach, highlighted by key figures like Justin Marks and Corey LaJoie, could signal a new trend across professional racing by encouraging authentic driver branding and deepening fan connections. With SHane van Gisbergen, Ross Chastain, Connor Zilisch, Daniel Suárez, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and more pivotal figures all playing roles, the series enters its next chapter eager for what these changes might bring to future races and to the identity of the NASCAR Cup Series itself.
