Trackhouse Racing has secured a major multi-year partnership with Red Bull, as drivers Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen will represent the brand in 25 NASCAR Cup Series races during the 2026 season. The Connor Zilisch Red Bull NASCAR collaboration extends Red Bull’s involvement with Trackhouse Racing, reflecting growing momentum for these promising young drivers on one of motorsport’s biggest stages.
Red Bull Teams Up with Trackhouse Racing for 2026 NASCAR Cup Series
The partnership between Red Bull and Trackhouse Racing will see the energy drink giant serve as both the official energy drink and a primary sponsor for the team through 2026, following the initial collaboration that began at the start of 2025. For the first time, fans will see Connor Zilisch bring the famed Red Bull colors to the Daytona 500 on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. At just 18 years old, Zilisch will become the youngest driver to enter the Daytona 500 since Joey Logano accomplished the feat in 2009.
Shane van Gisbergen, a six-time winner in the Cup Series, will debut the Red Bull Chevrolet on February 22, 2026, at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. Both Zilisch and van Gisbergen are eagerly anticipating their roles as Red Bull athletes in the coming NASCAR season.
Bold New Looks for Iconic Red Bull NASCAR Cars
The new 2026 Red Bull paint schemes are set to stand out on the track with a matte dark blue base and shimmering accents that outline each car’s number. Shane van Gisbergen’s No. 97 Chevrolet will display vivid red rays stretching from the front tires to the rear, while Zilisch’s No. 88 will feature electric blue streaks sweeping along the sides, bringing a fresh but recognizable Red Bull presence to fans.
Both drivers got their first in-person look at the bold new liveries. The number 97 holds particular significance for van Gisbergen, who also shared his thoughts on the moment:
“It means a lot to have the number No. 97 on my Cup car,”
van Gisbergen said.
“It’s a number that means so much to my family and me, so to see it on my car for the first time was surreal. I love the red flash designs on both sides of the car. It’s going to look epic on the track.”
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Meanwhile, Zilisch felt the pressure and thrill of carrying a historic number in the Cup Series, expressing his excitement:
“It’s so cool to be driving No. 88 in the Cup Series,”
Zilisch said.
“The number is historic and so many great drivers have driven it. I certainly have big shoes to fill but I can’t wait to get the season started. I love the blue streaks across the side of car. The dark matte blue allows the light blue streaks to pop. I’m excited to have it on track next year.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Impressive Rookie Campaigns Set the Stage for 2026
The beginnings of the Red Bull and Trackhouse Racing partnership saw immediate results during their debut season in 2025. Both van Gisbergen and Zilisch showcased their talent, earning a combined 16 wins in NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity Series. This winning formula helped establish the duo as top contenders entering the new season with Red Bull as the headline sponsor.
Shane van Gisbergen, representing New Zealand, has made a rapid impact in the Cup Series as a road course specialist. In 2025, the rookie logged five Cup Series victories, breaking the record for most wins by a first-year driver. His season started with a historic triumph in the inaugural Cup Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, after already winning the first-ever Chicago Street Race in 2023. Additional victories followed, including a dominant performance at Sonoma Raceway, where he started from pole, led 97 laps, and brought Red Bull back to victory lane for the first time since 2011.
The significance of van Gisbergen’s run cannot be understated. His achievements included winning three straight road course races from the pole at Watkins Glen International in New York and breaking records not seen since the days of legendary drivers like Dan Gurney and Jeff Gordon. These accomplishments secured van Gisbergen NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors, marking him as among the fastest to reach five wins since 1968.
Connor Zilisch enjoyed a similarly remarkable 2025 in the Xfinity Series. He finished second in the overall standings, advanced to the Championship 4, and notched 10 wins in just 32 starts—an extraordinary feat. Zilisch’s surge was especially notable during the latter half of the season with nine wins in the last 18 races. He also set records by clinching the regular season championship despite missing a race, tying the all-time streak of four wins set by Sam Ard and Noah Gragson, and collecting more poles and race victories than any other driver in the series.
Zilisch also made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, with Red Bull as the primary sponsor, followed by appearances at Charlotte Motor Speedway and EchoPark Speedway, laying the groundwork for his full-time campaign in 2026. These achievements earned him Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in record-breaking style and established new first-year marks for wins, top-five finishes, and races led.
Global Reach with Goodwood Festival Appearance
Expanding beyond the NASCAR world, Trackhouse Racing and Red Bull made a splash at the Goodwood Festival of Speed held at Goodwood House in West Sussex, England. This celebrated motorsports event featured both modern and historic vehicles in a showcase of racing heritage. Team owner and former driver Justin Marks took the wheel of the No. 87 Red Bull Chevrolet, joined by Red Bull athlete ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett for special guest appearances, highlighting the partnership’s global ambitions.
Anticipation Builds for a Promising 2026 Season
The new Red Bull partnership places Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen at the heart of NASCAR’s future, as both drivers look to build on their breakout rookie seasons in the Cup Series and Xfinity Series. With iconic racing numbers, bold car designs, and support from one of sport’s most recognized brands, the stage is set for a highly anticipated 2026 campaign. Their achievements and international appearances, alongside the energy of Red Bull, are likely to draw new fans, or fuel the ambitions of existing ones, as the team aims to continue rewriting racing history.
