Trackhouse Racing insider shares the vision that defined the viral 2026 number reveal for Shane van Gisbergen, Connor Zilisch 

Trackhouse Racing's director of production recently uploaded a clip defining the vision behind the numbers for Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch's ride in the 2026 season. The team gained one charter last year, and Trackhouse Racing added the New Zealand-based driver to the fleet. Following that, the team replaced Daniel Suarez with stock car racing prodigy Connor Zilisch for the next season.

The former JR Motorsports driver dominated the Xfinity Series with his remarkable performance that led to his full-time seat in the Cup Series. Zilisch will be piloting the #88 Chevy Camaro ZL1 in the 2026 season. In the clip, former two-time Xfinity Series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared a heartfelt tale with Zilisch about the story behind the number.

Dale Jr. highlighted that the #88 is a "legacy" and named the former drivers who ran it in the series. He further stated that Zilisch will be starting a new chapter, driving the number in the Cup Series. Dale Earnhardt Jr. continued:

"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."

The next in line was Shane van Gisbergen, who'll be driving the #97 in the 2026 season. The number holds a significant value for Gisbergen. The father-son duo ran the same numbers across various motorsports series back in New Zealand and Australia. Following that, Robert van Gisbergen shared a heartwarming message for his son:

"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."

Connor Zilisch clinched ten victories, 23 top-ten finishes, 20 top-five finishes, and eight pole positions in 32 starts in 2025, driving for JR Motorsports. Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen amassed five wins, seven top-tens, five top-fives, and three pole positions in the Cup Series.

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Trackhouse Racing announced a major sponsorship for Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen ahead of the 2026 season

On November 25, 2025, Trackhouse Racing announced its partnership with the energy drink brand Red Bull for Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen. The two began their alliance at the beginning of the 2025 season and will continue it in the upcoming season.

The Red Bull scheme features a dark matte blue paint with the iconic team bull mascot on both doors. Also, the brand logo has been imprinted on the hood of the Chevy Camaro ZL1. The energy drink brand will sponsor Zilisch at the inaugural race of the season, the Daytona 500, scheduled for February 15, 2026. Meanwhile, Gisbergen will drive the Red Bull-sponsored #97 Chevy at EchoPark Speedway a week later.

Reflecting on the major news, Shane van Gisbergen told NASCAR:

“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.”

The New Zealand-based driver became the first driver since Jeff Gordon to win three back-to-back road-course Cup Series events from pole position. Additionally, he also won the first international race held at Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez this season.

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Edited by Karan Yadav