Shane van Gisbergen gives one-word reply after Kurt Busch praises his talent

Shane van Gisbergen responded to Kurt Busch's comments about his achievements in NASCAR. Busch's kind words came days after Trackhouse Racing announced that Gisbergen would drive the No. 97 Chevy Camaro for the 2026 season.

Gisbergen will move from his usual No. 88 with Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch jumping in. 2026 will mark Zilisch’s first full season in the NASCAR Cup Series.

For Shane van Gisbergen, 2026 is going to be his second full-time season in the Cup series. Last season, he finished 12th on points with five wins, five top fives, and seven top-10s.

SVG also won the 2025 Sunoco Rookie of the Year title. In a recent Instagram post, Busch praised Gisbergen and wrote,

“I remember meeting you in Chicago 2022 before you won your first race in your first Cup start. I could sense that you would be great. I also asked where the origin of the #97 came from. You said family. I am so proud that the #97 is back in @nascar - make it great again!”

The 97 car has a winning history in NASCAR. Busch was the one who drove it for Roush Racing from 2000 to 2005. More famously, he won the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series championship with that car.

Gisbergen shared Busch’s post on his Instagram stories and expressed his gratitude. He wrote,

“Thanks @kurtbusch.”

(Source: Shane van Gisbergen/Instagram)

The number 97 was previously driven by legendary drivers like Bill Elliott, Cale Yarborough, Mario Andretti, and Ned Jarrett. But Busch was the most successful driver in the No. 97. In 184 races with the iconic number, he amassed 14 dominant victories, second to no one.

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Shane van Gisbergen gets emotional reacting to a heartfelt note from his father

The No. 97 was run earlier by Shane van Gisbergen’s dad Robert in the motocross and rally series. So, driving it at the Cup level is going to be special for the Auckland native.

Robert wrote his son a letter congratulating him on the switch. Gisbergen sat in a Trackhouse Racing video and read the letter. Soon his eyes turned red, and it was evident that the driver was fighting back tears.

“I hear you're running 97, NASCAR Cup Series next year. It means so much to our family. Right from the beginning, both of us ran 97 in motocross. We both ran it in speedway. Mum would have been absolutely trapped.”

Gisbergen’s mother, Karen, breathed her last in April 2024. Taking a moment to control his emotions, the Cup Series driver said,

“Yeah, that's nice. The stuff he wrote about mum gets me, so, yeah."

Next up for Shane van Gisbergen is the 68th running of the Daytona 500, which will also mark his first start with the No. 97. The crown jewel event is scheduled for February 15, 2026.

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Edited by Tushhita Barua