Trackhouse Racing lately introduced that Shane van Gisbergen would run the #97 automobile within the NASCAR Cup Collection subsequent yr, a quantity that carries huge historical past for the Kiwi. This left the 36-year-old teary-eyed, a pattern which has continued into the opposite fractions of the racing realm, as even NASCAR commentator Leigh Diffey revealed that any viewers of the clip should get their tissues prepared earlier than watching the video.
SVG made his rookie full-time marketing campaign this yr. In the course of the season, he ran the No. 88 Chevy and took it to the victory lane 4 instances, a report in itself. However, he had pushed the No. 97 automobile for almost all of his profession, a quantity that his father, Robert van Gisbergen, used to take to the monitor throughout his racing days.
So, getting the chance to once more pair up with the #97 that his household has an enormous legacy with left SVG emotional. In an announcement video launched by Trackhouse Racing, the speaker, Robert van Gisbergen, mentioned:
“It’s greater than only a automobile quantity. Hello mate, I hear you’re operating 97, NASCAR Cup Collection subsequent yr. Which means a lot to our household. Proper from the start, each of us ran #97 in motocross, we each ran it in speedway. Mother would have been completely proud.”
“Over time, 97 was the legacy in New Zealand and Australia in all types of motorsports. So proud you’re operating it in USA. And, additionally, even while you gained nationwide titles, we’re obliged to run #1. You continue to carried on, 97. So proud, mate.”
This even touched the hearts of the folks within the NASCAR realm, as Diffey wrote on X:
“Immediately, everyone seems to be creating content material … take a break to look at this purposeful content material… get the tissues prepared … significant, heartfelt, actual. Bravo @TeamTrackhouse @JustinMarksTH @DaleJr SVG’s Dad 👏🏻”
Then again, Shane van Gisbergen made a swap from racing within the Supercars championship to NASCAR in 2024.
Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen asserts that he enjoys NASCAR’s variety-filled calendar
Shane van Gisbergen had been a family identify within the Supercars championship area. Nevertheless, his late determination to maneuver to NASCAR full-time, on the age of 35, appeared to return out of the blue for a lot of.
However this determination has already began to pay dividends, as he has 5 race wins within the Cup Collection already beneath his belt. So, acclamatising to the inventory automobile racing realm in the USA and the range that the calendar possesses, he mentioned (through RACER):
“I wasn’t positive how I’d discover it, and I’ve actually favored it. I just like the challenges. I like how the tracks range all year long – you’re not doing the identical factor on a regular basis. I’ve completely loved myself right here.”
In the meantime, aside from SVG, Ross Chastain and Connor Zilisch will kind the motive force lineup at Trackhouse Racing for the 2026 season.
Edited by Geetansh Pasricha
