Trackhouse Racing’s 2026 NASCAR Cup Series team will feature Connor Zilisch in the No. 88 while Shane van Gisbergen moves to the No. 97, the team announced Nov. 7.
Zilisch, who was announced earlier this year to run for Rookie of the Year for the organization, had effectively replaced the departing Daniel Suarez, who has since moved to Spire Motorsports. But instead of piloting the No. 99 Suarez drove for many seasons since Trackhouse’s inception, he’ll be in the No. 88 that van Gisbergen raced in 2025.
Instead, van Gisbergen will drive the No. 97, a number he used in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series prior to his move to Cup. His father, Robert van Gisbergen, used the number during his racing career, as did Shane himself while in the Supercars Championship in Australia.
“It’s awesome to carry a car number that is so special to me,” van Gisbergen said in a team release. “When Justin [Marks, owner] offered me the opportunity to change to the No. 97, it was pretty special. It’s a number that means a lot to my family and me. My dad used it in his racing career, so when I started racing, I wanted to use it too, and then basically I’ve used the No. 97 in everything since. I’ve had many special moments with that number and it’s cool to get the opportunity to create even more in the Cup Series.”
Ross Chastain will remain in the No. 1.
“It’s cool for me to carry on the legacy of the [No.] 88 number,” Zilisch said. “That number has quickly become important to me and the history of that number in the sport with Shane, Dale [Earnhardt] Jr., Dale Jarrett, and everyone who has run the [No.] 88. I certainly have big shoes to fill but hopefully I’ll be able to carry that on.”
Van Gisbergen enters 2026 as the most recent Cup Rookie of the Year, while Zilisch was the O’Reilly Rookie of the Year and finished second in points.
Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.
At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.
Awesome news, I’m looking forward to Shane getting revenge and launching the little titty baby over the wall at Watkins Glen.