Trackhouse Racing recently announced that Shane van Gisbergen would run the #97 car in the NASCAR Cup Series next year, a number that carries vast history for the Kiwi. This left the 36-year-old teary-eyed, a trend which has continued into the other fractions of the racing realm, as even NASCAR commentator Leigh Diffey revealed that any viewers of the clip must get their tissues ready before watching the video.SVG made his rookie full-time campaign this year. During the season, he ran the No. 88 Chevy and took it to the victory lane four times, a record in itself. But, he had driven the No. 97 car for the majority of his career, a number that his father, Robert van Gisbergen, used to take to the track during his racing days.So, getting the opportunity to again pair up with the #97 that his family has a vast legacy with left SVG emotional. In an announcement video released by Trackhouse Racing, the speaker, Robert van Gisbergen, said:"It’s more than just a car number. Hi mate, I hear you’re running 97, NASCAR Cup Series next year. That means so much to our family. Right from the beginning, both of us ran #97 in motocross, we both ran it in speedway. Mom would have been absolutely proud.""Over the years, 97 was the legacy in New Zealand and Australia in all forms of motorsports. So proud you’re running it in USA. And, also, even when you won national titles, we are obliged to run #1. You still carried on, 97. So proud, mate."This even touched the hearts of the people in the NASCAR realm, as Diffey wrote on X:"Today, everyone is creating content … take a break to watch this purposeful content… get the tissues ready … meaningful, heartfelt, real. Bravo @TeamTrackhouse @JustinMarksTH @DaleJr SVG’s Dad 👏🏻"On the other hand, Shane van Gisbergen made a switch from racing in the Supercars championship to NASCAR in 2024.Trackhouse Racing's Shane van Gisbergen asserts that he enjoys NASCAR's variety-filled calendarTrackhouse Racing's Shane van Gisbergen at the South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series race weekend - Source: ImagnShane van Gisbergen had been a household name in the Supercars championship region. However, his late decision to move to NASCAR full-time, at the age of 35, seemed to come out of the blue for many.But this decision has already started to pay dividends, as he has five race wins in the Cup Series already under his belt. So, acclamatising to the stock car racing realm in the United States and the variety that the calendar possesses, he said (via RACER):"I wasn’t sure how I’d find it, and I’ve really liked it. I like the challenges. I like how the tracks vary throughout the year – you’re not doing the same thing all the time. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself here."Meanwhile, apart from SVG, Ross Chastain and Connor Zilisch will form the driver lineup at Trackhouse Racing for the 2026 season.