At the close of his first full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series in November 2025, Shane van Gisbergen was given a meaningful surprise when Trackhouse Racing announced its 2026 driver lineup on X. Each driver revealed their car number, and van Gisbergen’s new number 97 holds deep personal significance, connecting his NASCAR journey to his celebrated Supercars career and his family heritage.
A Tribute to Family and Racing Roots
The No. 97 car not only honors van Gisbergen’s history in Australian motorsport but also pays tribute to his father, Robert, who raced with the same number during his sprint car career. This connection was emphasized during the announcement, which included a voiceover from Robert van Gisbergen expressing pride in what Shane has achieved, while also recalling the late mother’s admiration. The moment left Shane visibly moved and appreciative of Team Owner Justin Marks’ thoughtful gesture.
Van Gisbergen Reflects on the Meaning Behind the Number
In a December interview with Speedcafe, van Gisbergen shared how significant the gesture was, describing the announcement video as “amazing.” He recalled the text from Marks that showed designs of the upcoming No. 97 car decorated in Red Bull and WeatherTech branding, which left him “pretty speechless” because of the personal meaning attached to the number.
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.
The Legacy of the No. 97 and Its Importance to Fans
For van Gisbergen, a race number becomes a part of a driver’s identity in the eyes of fans. He hopes the No. 97 will become as recognizable as iconic numbers like No. 46, associated with Valentino Rossi, No. 24 linked to Jeff Gordon, or No. 88 with Jamie Whincup. Carrying a number long connected to his family’s racing history amplifies this feeling of identity and pride.
The 36-year-old racer has carried the No. 97 for most of his career, starting from his days in speedway racing and quarter midgets. It has been the predominant number on many of the cars he has driven, making its transition to NASCAR a continuation of a lifelong connection.
Van Gisbergen’s Supercars History and Achievements with No. 97
Though van Gisbergen raced under the No. 9 Ford BF Falcon at the start of his Supercars career with Stone Brothers Racing, he switched to the No. 97 Holden VF Commodore in 2013 when he joined Tekno Autosports, where he competed until 2015 and achieved a high ranking of second in the driver standings. Later, his tenure with Triple Eight Race Engineering driving the No. 97 Holden ZB Commodore and eventually the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was marked by outstanding success, including three championships in 2016, 2021, and 2022.
During his eight seasons at Triple Eight Race Engineering prior to moving to NASCAR, van Gisbergen consistently performed at a top level, never finishing below third place in the standings, underscoring the effectiveness of the No. 97 as more than just a number, but a symbol of excellence.
Carrying a Family Tradition into NASCAR’s Premier Series
The racing number also connects back to his father, Robert van Gisbergen, who raced sprint cars numbered 96, 97, and 98 with Roger Davis’s team, with Robert assigned to No. 97 without any particular reason beyond team numbering. Shane’s first race cars bore identical No. 97 paint schemes, honoring the family legacy. Coincidentally, the number also matched the year 1997, further embedding it into his identity.
Now that van Gisbergen races in NASCAR’s top division, he aims to establish the same strong link between himself and No. 97 with American fans, replicating the connection built over more than a decade in Australia. This transition marks a continuation of his career while honoring personal and family history in motorsport.
