The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season brings notable changes to the driver lineup, despite few overall shifts from 2025. Rookie Connor Zilisch replaces Daniel Suarez at Trackhouse Racing after competing in JR Motorsports’ Xfinity Series team, while Suarez moves to Spire Motorsports, taking over the seat vacated by Justin Haley, who steps down to the Truck Series with Kaulig Racing.
Haley’s switch marks the only full-time Cup driver from 2025 who will not compete full-time in the 2026 Cup Series, returning to the team he raced for most recently in the Truck and Xfinity Series between 2019 and 2023.
New Car Numbers Bring Historic Changes to the Cup Series
Rather than driving Suarez’s No. 99 Chevrolet, Zilisch will pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet, which was driven by Shane van Gisbergen in 2025. The No. 88 has not been used full-time since 2020, when Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman raced it.
The familiar No. 99 has returned to RFK Racing for a one-off entry at the Daytona 500 by Corey LaJoie, though LaJoie did not qualify for the race. Meanwhile, van Gisbergen has reverted to the No. 97—his number from Australian Supercars and the 2024 Xfinity Series season—marking the first full-time appearance of the No. 97 in the Cup Series since 2005.
Legacy and Return of the No. 97 in the Cup Series
The No. 97 holds a historic place in NASCAR, previously associated with Roush Racing. Kurt Busch raced the No. 97 Ford starting late in the 2000 season until near the close of 2005, until disciplinary issues sidelined him.
After receiving a reckless driving citation and clashing with local sheriff’s deputies during a traffic stop in Maricopa County, Arizona, Busch’s No. 97 seat was filled by Kenny Wallace for the final two 2005 races at Phoenix Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“belligerent with Maricopa County (Arizona) sheriff’s deputies during a traffic stop”
— Incident involving Kurt Busch
The No. 97 was absent from Cup races for several years until Obaika Racing entered the car in 2018 for Tanner Berrhill at Phoenix and Homestead. David Starr also briefly drove the No. 97 at Texas Motor Speedway after failing to qualify at Talladega Superspeedway that year.
Sporadic Use of No. 97 in the Years Between
From 2005 to 2018, the No. 97 appeared in only a handful of races. Jeff Fuller unsuccessfully attempted to qualify the No. 97 Toyota for the 2010 Daytona 500 but raced at Talladega later that year. Kevin Conway made several starts with the same car for NEMCO Motorsports at Daytona and Talladega in 2011, failing to qualify for Daytona but competing in other events.
In 2012, Bill Elliott raced the No. 97 at Daytona and Talladega after missing Daytona 500 qualification, with Timmy Hill making a single start at Talladega. These rare appearances underscored the number’s spotty presence until its full-time return in 2026.
Implications of Lineup and Number Changes for NASCAR’s Future
The lineup shifts and number adjustments reflect larger transitions within the NASCAR Cup Series, signaling a mix of fresh talent and the use of historic car numbers to connect the sport’s past with its evolving present. Connor Zilisch’s rookie season with the No. 88 Chevrolet offers a chance to watch new talent rise, while the reintroduction of the No. 97 evokes memories of earlier eras, blending tradition with modern competition.
Justin Haley’s move to the Truck Series highlights the fluid nature of driver careers within NASCAR’s tiers, while Daniel Suarez and Shane van Gisbergen’s team and number switches suggest strategic repositioning. These changes may influence team dynamics and fan engagement as the 2026 season unfolds, with attention focused on how these drivers and teams adapt to their new roles and identities on the track.
