Full Breakdown
Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch: A New Era for Trackhouse Racing in 2026
11/26/2025, 4:39:50 PM
Introduction of New Numbers and Sponsorship
In the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, Shane van Gisbergen will debut the No. 97 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, a number that holds significant emotional value for the three-time Supercars champion. Trackhouse Racing announced this change in a heartfelt video earlier this month. Van Gisbergen will race the No. 97 for the first time at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, on February 22, 2026. Meanwhile, Connor Zilisch, a rising star and fellow Red Bull athlete, will pilot the No. 88 Red Bull car, making his debut in the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026. Both drivers will share Red Bull's sponsorship for a total of 25 races throughout the season.
Significance of the No. 97
The No. 97 is particularly meaningful to van Gisbergen, who has previously achieved success with it in the Supercars Championship and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he won three races in 2024. He expressed his excitement about the new livery, stating, “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.”
Red Bull's Commitment to Trackhouse Racing
Red Bull has significantly increased its sponsorship commitment to Trackhouse Racing for the 2026 season. The partnership, which began in 2025, will see the iconic energy drink brand's colors featured prominently on both the No. 97 and No. 88 cars. The sponsorship will be split between van Gisbergen and Zilisch, with each driver showcasing distinct color accents—red for van Gisbergen and blue for Zilisch.
Zilisch's Historic Debut
Connor Zilisch, at just 19 years old, will become the youngest competitor in the Daytona 500 since Joey Logano in 2009. He expressed his enthusiasm for driving the historic No. 88, which has been associated with many legendary drivers, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Bobby Allison. Zilisch remarked, “It’s so cool to be driving No. 88 in the Cup Series. The number is historic and so many great drivers have driven it. I certainly have big shoes to fill but I can’t wait to get the season started.”
Looking Ahead
Both drivers are entering the 2026 season with high expectations. Van Gisbergen aims to build on his impressive rookie season, where he set a record with five wins, while Zilisch is eager to prove himself in the Cup Series. The combination of their talent and Red Bull's backing positions Trackhouse Racing as a formidable contender in the upcoming season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It means a lot to have the number No. 97 on my Cup car,” — Shane van Gisbergen
- “It’s so cool to be driving No. 88 in the Cup Series,” — Connor Zilisch
This new chapter for Trackhouse Racing, marked by the introduction of van Gisbergen and Zilisch, promises to bring excitement and competition to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series.
