Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealand-born three-time Supercars champion, was presented with the No. 97 for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season by Trackhouse Racing in November 2025. This decision not only carries deep personal meaning for Van Gisbergen but also symbolizes a strong connection to his family and motorsport history—an association that marks another chapter in the legacy of the Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR number.
No. 97—A Number Rich in Personal and Motorsport Heritage
The announcement that Van Gisbergen would drive the No. 97 Chevrolet came with the added touch of a recorded message from his father, Robert. The gesture was especially poignant, with Robert conveying how proud Shane’s late mother would have been of this tribute. As emotions ran high for both father and son, Van Gisbergen remarked on the significance of Trackhouse owner Justin Marks’s choice, expressing gratitude for this nod to both his own career and his family legacy.
“I think that Trackhouse video they put out summed it all up. It was amazing,”
van Gisbergen stated.
“Amazing when Justin texted me that a couple of months ago. Daniel Suarez was the first driver at Track House, and the 99 became his number. So, I think it was good to have a good refresh, and obviously, Connor was the #88 this year and Xfinity.”
“When Justin first mentioned it to me, and he sent me a text about it and sent a picture attached with the car in Red Bull and WeatherTech covers with the 97 on it, I was pretty speechless. He knows how much it means to me,”
he added.
From Childhood Inspiration to Global Stage
The No. 97 is much more than a number for Van Gisbergen. It is a motif tying together his childhood, family, and rise through the ranks of motorsport. Robert van Gisbergen once raced sprint cars with that number, tracing the legacy back to Roger Davis’s team, which fielded cars numbered in sequence; Robert was given No. 97 simply as part of this run. When Shane began his own racing career in speedway and quarter midgets, he adopted the same number alongside a car painted in homage to his father’s. Coincidentally, 1997 also matched the number, further enhancing its significance.
Van Gisbergen emphasized that car numbers can become inextricably linked to their drivers, much like Valentino Rossi’s famous 46, Jeff Gordon’s 24, or Jamie Whincup’s Australian staple, the 88. By continuing to race with No. 97, Van Gisbergen hopes to forge a similar, iconic bond with fans, especially as he transitions from Supercars dominance to a prominent role in NASCAR. He considers it a privilege to tell both his personal and family story through that number.
A Legacy Cemented Across Multiple Racing Series
Throughout his Supercars career, Van Gisbergen started with the No. 9 car for Stone Brothers Racing but established the No. 97 as his identifier beginning in 2013. First driving the No. 97 for Tekno Autosports, he finished as high as second in the championship standings between 2013 and 2015. After moving to Triple Eight Race Engineering, he piloted the famed No. 97 Holden ZB Commodore, later racing the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 starting in 2023. During his eight-year stint with Triple Eight, Van Gisbergen never finished lower than third in the standings and claimed titles in 2016, 2021, and 2022—further solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.
As Van Gisbergen embarks on his full-time NASCAR career with Trackhouse Racing, the No. 97 remains central to his identity as both a competitor and a custodian of his family’s racing heritage. Carrying it forward allows fans in the United States—just as in Australia—to associate his name and story with a familiar number, built on decades of meaning and triumph.
Looking Ahead: A Familiar Symbol on a New Stage
Now officially announced as his Cup Series ride, the No. 97 carries both legacy and aspiration. Van Gisbergen brings the heritage of multiple Supercars championships and a deeply rooted family connection to his new journey in American racing. As Trackhouse Racing, led by Justin Marks, advances to the 2026 season with Van Gisbergen among its drivers, the story behind his car number is set to resonate with fans, old and new, across continents. The move not only honors a personal legacy but adds another memorable thread to the broader tapestry of motorsport history—a testament to the enduring power of numbers, names, and the passions they ignite.
