Trackhouse Racing has announced the NASCAR 2026 season numbers for Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch, creating a wave of excitement for fans of the sport. As the team prepares for a dynamic season, these numbers represent both legacy and personal history for the drivers and their families.
Trackhouse Racing Welcomes New Driver Lineup for 2026
After acquiring a new charter last year, Trackhouse Racing strategically added Shane van Gisbergen, a distinguished racer from New Zealand, to its Cup Series roster. The team also made a significant move by bringing in young talent Connor Zilisch, replacing Daniel Suarez for the upcoming season. Zilisch, previously with JR Motorsports, earned his promotion after an extraordinary run in the Xfinity Series characterized by consistent wins and finishes near the top of the leaderboard.
For the 2026 season, Connor Zilisch will be at the wheel of the #88 Chevy Camaro ZL1. In a recent video, Dale Earnhardt Jr., a two-time Xfinity Series champion and former driver of the #88, recounted the storied history behind the number and expressed his pride in Zilisch for carrying on its legacy in the Cup Series. As Dale Earnhardt Jr. reminded Zilisch of the enduring significance of the 88, he passed the torch for this next chapter in the sport.
“I always knew you had the talent at heart, and now I couldn’t be more proud to say you will bring the 88 forward into the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing. The story of the 88 is far from finished, and now it’s your turn to write the next chapter, and we’re all here. Your friend, Dale Earnhardt Jr.”
Personal Meaning Behind the Numbers
Shane van Gisbergen, known for his fearless drive, will compete in the #97 Chevy for the 2026 Cup Series season. The #97 carries deep-rooted family significance, as both he and his father raced under the same digits in various motorsports series throughout New Zealand and Australia. For the van Gisbergen family, the number has become a symbol of their racing journey, even when victories compelled them to use different numbers under official rules. Shane’s father, Robert van Gisbergen, shared a sentimental note about the importance of the #97 in their family’s legacy:
“Hear you’re running the 97 in the NASCAR Cup Series next year. That means so much to our family. Mum would have been absolutely proud. Over the years, 97 was the legacy in New Zealand and Australia and all forms of motorsports. And also, even when you won national titles, we were obliged to run number one. You still carried on 97.”
2025 Season Achievements Set the Stage
Heading into the new season, both drivers boast impressive statistics. In 2025, Connor Zilisch tallied ten victories, appeared 23 times in the top ten, finished in the top five on 20 occasions, and captured eight pole positions over 32 starts with JR Motorsports. Shane van Gisbergen, racing in the Cup Series, recorded five wins, seven top-ten finishes, five top-fives, and three poles. Such performances have set high expectations for both as they begin their journeys with Trackhouse Racing and their respective legacy numbers.
Red Bull Backs Trackhouse with High-Impact Sponsorship
In a major commercial development, Trackhouse Racing revealed on November 25, 2025, that energy drink giant Red Bull will sponsor both Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen for the 2026 season. The partnership, which was initiated at the season’s start, will continue as part of a branding effort showcasing a visually striking car design. Zilisch’s car will sport a deep matte blue paint scheme featuring the iconic Red Bull mascot on both doors and the bold logo across the hood. The partnership’s significance is further cemented by Red Bull’s sponsorship of Zilisch’s debut Cup Series race at the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026, and van Gisbergen’s appearance in the Red Bull #97 Chevy at EchoPark Speedway the following week.
Legacy, Family, and Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the emotional resonance of these changes, Shane van Gisbergen described what it means to carry the #97 forward into the NASCAR Cup Series:
“It means a lot to have the number No. 97 on my Cup car. 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.”
Van Gisbergen is no stranger to breaking records, having become the first driver since Jeff Gordon to claim three consecutive road-course Cup Series wins from pole position, along with victory in NASCAR’s inaugural international race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez. These milestones, together with Zilisch’s rapid rise through the ranks, underscore the passion and intensity woven into both drivers’ stories.
As the 2026 NASCAR season approaches, all eyes will be on Trackhouse Racing, Shane van Gisbergen, and Connor Zilisch as they link storied numbers to new chapters and rally support from iconic sponsors. Their journeys promise to inspire both seasoned fans and new audiences across the motorsports world.
