Denny Hamlin has worst NASCAR heartbreak since Dale Earnhardt in 1990
The guys review the 2025 NASCAR championship weekend, with Kyle Larson’s Cup Series title, Denny Hamlin’s heartbreak and more.
- Connor Zilisch will drive the No. 88 car for Trackhouse Racing in his rookie Cup Series season.
- Zilisch’s teammate, Shane van Gisbergen, will switch from the No. 88 to the No. 97, a number significant to his family’s racing history.
As if there weren’t enough expectations piled upon Connor Zilisch as he approaches his rookie season in the Cup Series, he’s been tagged with the number 88, which has a long and storied NASCAR history.
While winning 10 Xfinity Series races this past season, Zilisch drove the No. 88 Chevrolet owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports. Originally tapped to replace Daniel Suarez next season in Trackhouse Racing’s No. 99 Chevy, Zilisch will instead take over the No. 88 from Trackhouse teammate Shane van Gisbergen, who’ll switch to the No. 97.
That, too, has some history behind it — though far, far away. SVG drove a No. 97 car to three championships and 80 victories in the Australian Supercars Series. It was also the number used by his father, Robert, during his racing career.
“It’s a number that mean a lot to my family and me,” van Gisbergen said through a team press release.
From Darrell Waltrip to Dale Earnhardt Jr., a winning history
Zilisch’s Xfinity Series team owner — Dale Jr. — is among the NASCAR Hall of Famers who wheeled the No. 88 to many Cup Series wins. It started in 1954 with Buck Baker, who took a No. 88 Oldsmobile to victory on a half-mile dirt track in Wilson, N.C.
Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison and Dale Jarrett each had long runs in the 88 before Earnhardt Jr. took it over in 2008. Alex Bowman won a race in 2019 and again in 2020 before switching to the No. 48 at Hendrick Motorsports.
With Trackhouse taking the number this year, van Gisbergen’s rookie Cup season was highlighted by his five consecutive road-course wins.
“I certainly have big shoes to fill, but hopefully I’ll be able to carry that on,” Zilisch said.
The winning history behind SVG’s new No. 97 isn’t as lengthy as the No. 88, but Kurt Busch won 14 races in a Jack Roush-owned No. 97 Ford between 2002-05. The only other drivers to take a No. 97 to Victory Lane were Bill Amick (once) and Parnelli Jones (twice) in the 1950s.
— Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
