Trackhouse Racing has released a video revealing the car numbers assigned to their drivers for the 2026 Cup Series season. The team will retire Daniel Suarez’s iconic No. 99 after five seasons, as he departs at the end of this year. Ross Chastain will continue racing with the No. 88 car, a number he’s piloted to all six of his Cup victories, including the 2025 Coca-Cola 600. Rookie Connor Girish will inherit the No. 88 from Shane van Gisbergen, who secured five wins with that number last year. Girish has a strong connection to this number, having driven it to 10 wins in the Xfinity Series before narrowly missing out on the championship.
Once driver and number assignments were set, personalized letters were sent to each driver—Chastain’s letter came from team founder Justin Marks, Girish received his from Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Van Gisbergen’s was penned by his father, Robert. Upon reading his letter, Van Gisbergen became emotional, learning that he will race with the No. 97 next season—a number steeped in family history, previously driven by both Robert and Shane throughout their careers. Robert reflected on the deep significance of the No. 97 to their family, dating back to their motocross and speedway days and mentioning how proud their late mother would have been. Overcome with emotion, Van Gisbergen found it hard to read the letter aloud, especially the heartfelt mention of his mother, who sadly passed away in early 2024. The full video capturing these moments is available to watch online.
Van Gisbergen will drive a new number for the fifth time in his short NASCAR Cup career, having previously raced with No. 91, 13, 16, and 88 cars. Trackhouse also confirmed their crew chief lineup: Brandon McSwain will continue with Chastain, Randall Burnett teams up with Girish, and Stephen Dolan will remain Van Gisbergen’s crew chief for 2026.
The No. 97 car carries rich NASCAR heritage. After nearly disappearing following the 2013 season, it only made three appearances in 2018. Historically, it has started close to 700 races and earned 17 wins, including a NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2004 with Kurt Busch behind the wheel. Busch, along with legends like Parnelli Jones and Bill Amick, contributed to the number’s legacy.
Fan Take: This announcement is significant for NASCAR enthusiasts as it blends rich racing traditions with fresh talent, highlighting Trackhouse Racing’s strategic vision. The emotional connection behind the car numbers, especially Van Gisbergen’s No. 97, adds a deeply personal touch that resonates beyond the track, promising compelling storylines for the 2026 season.
