Shane van Gisbergen is no stranger to making headlines, but his latest move has racing fans waiting with baited breath. The three-time Supercars champion is gearing up for his first full-time NASCAR Cup Series season in 2025, and he’s taking on more than just a new challenge. He’s inheriting one of the most iconic numbers in NASCAR history: the No. 88.

SVG, as fans affectionately call him, shared his thoughts in an interview with Speedcafe. While excited to embrace the legacy of the No. 88, van Gisbergen didn’t shy away from admitting the mixed emotions that come with it. So, what’s it like stepping into the shoes of legends? Let’s find out from the man himself.

Embracing the weight of No. 88

For Shane van Gisbergen, the No. 88 is more than just a number—it’s a legacy. Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR history, carried it for a decade with Hendrick Motorsports. But it goes back even further. Before Junior, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett made the No. 88 famous in the late 1990s and early 2000s, winning races and championships with Robert Yates Racing.

“Yeah, that’s, it’s pretty cool,” van Gisbergen said when asked about the significance of the number. “And the other one who was before Dale Earnhardt was Dale Jarrett. So, there you’ve got two pretty big drivers.” It’s not just Earnhardt Jr.’s legacy that SVG feels honored—and pressured—to uphold. NASCAR’s rich history with the No. 88 stretches back to the sport’s earliest days.

From Hall of Famers like Buddy Baker and Darrell Waltrip to modern stars like Alex Bowman, the No. 88 has always been associated with excellence. “Obviously, I would have loved to race with 97, but, um, yeah, 88 is a special number,” SVG added, acknowledging the 97 that he’s synonymous with would have been his preference.

He also revealed a unique personal touch to the story. Before the announcement, Dale Jr. himself reached out to him. “Dale Earnhardt texted me about how cool it was and how he hopes I represent it well,” van Gisbergen shared. “So, nothing like a bit of pressure there, but it’s pretty cool to have that meaning.” For van Gisbergen, stepping into the No. 88 is not just about carrying on a legacy but also about representing it with respect. “It’s a bit weird, actually,” he admitted. “But I’ll get past that pretty quick.”

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While the No. 88 carries a heavy NASCAR history, for SVG, the number also strikes a chord from his days in Australian Supercars. Back home, the No. 88 was synonymous with Jamie Whincup, his longtime rival at Triple Eight Race Engineering. “Of course, in the world, we’re from as well, with Jamie [Whincup]” van Gisbergen said. “Even though he had number 1 on most of the time, 88 was a pretty special number to race against as well.”

Whincup, regarded as one of the greatest drivers in Supercars history, left an indelible mark on the sport. With seven championships, 124 race wins, and four Bathurst 1000 victories, his accomplishments set a benchmark few could match. Van Gisbergen, who joined Triple Eight in 2016, often found himself battling Whincup for supremacy—both as a teammate and competitor. Their rivalry wasn’t without its drama!

In 2021, as Whincup prepared for retirement, the two clashed over team orders at Sydney Motorsport Park, a testament to Whincup’s unwavering competitiveness. But despite the on-track tension, van Gisbergen has always held Whincup in high regard. “It’s a number I looked up to,” said Van Gisbergen.

Now, as SVG dons the No. 88 in NASCAR, he carries not just the weight of Dale Jr. and Dale Jarrett’s legacies but also the memories of his battles with Whincup. Van Gisbergen’s move to the NASCAR Cup Series marks a significant milestone for Trackhouse Racing, which will field three full-time cars in 2025. SVG joins Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez in a lineup that team owner Justin Marks describes as “incredibly bright.”

“This is obviously a huge moment,” Marks said. “Really thrilled and excited that Shane put the trust in us. He’s put in a tremendous amount of work. A great human being, a very, very talented race car driver, and somebody with an incredibly bright future.” SVG’s NASCAR journey began with a bang in 2023 when he won the inaugural Chicago Street Race in his Cup Series debut.

Since then, he’s racked up wins in the Xfinity Series and gained valuable experience on ovals—a learning curve he’s embraced with characteristic determination. “It’s been a pretty awesome 18 months,” van Gisbergen said. “A huge life change, as Justin said. Everything he said was going to happen has happened. I never thought it would happen this quick.”

With the No. 88 on his car and a world of expectations on his shoulders, Shane van Gisbergen is ready to take on NASCAR’s biggest stage. Whether it’s honoring the Earnhardt legacy, nodding to his rivalry with Whincup, or carving out his own path, one thing is clear: SVG is here to make history.