NASCAR Star Returns to Lucky 97 to Honor Late Mom

When Shane van Gisbergen's father surprised him with news about racing the number 97 again, the NASCAR driver couldn't hold back tears thinking of his late mother watching from above.

The three-time Supercars champion has worn number 97 since childhood, a tradition he shared with his father Robert in motocross and speedway racing. When van Gisbergen moved to NASCAR's Cup Series in 2025, fans across Australia and New Zealand struggled to recognize him in the unfamiliar number 88.

This season brings a homecoming of sorts. Van Gisbergen's iconic digits return for NASCAR's biggest race, the Daytona 500, which starts Monday morning New Zealand time.

"We both ran 97 in motocross, we both ran it in speedway," Robert van Gisbergen said in an emotional Trackhouse Racing video. "Even when you won national titles where you were obliged to run No.1, you still carried on with 97."

The number carries even deeper meaning after the April 2024 death of Shane's mother, Karen Wallace, who passed away at 64 after a short illness. "Mum would have been absolutely proud," Robert told his son.

For racing fans down under, the connection between driver and number runs deep. Van Gisbergen compares it to legends like Peter Brock's 05 and Greg Murphy's 51.

Why This Inspires

This story shows how we carry loved ones with us through the symbols that matter most. A racing number becomes more than digits on a door when it represents family legacy, childhood dreams, and a mother's pride.

Van Gisbergen proved his readiness for the Daytona 500 during Friday's qualifying race. Starting from a disappointing 37th position, he navigated through multiple crashes to finish sixth, earning himself the 13th starting spot for Monday's main event.

"It was really fun to be competitive and put ourselves in a good spot," van Gisbergen said after avoiding a massive final-lap pileup. The strong performance marks a turnaround from his rookie season, when he finished 33rd in the 2025 Daytona 500 while adjusting to oval racing.

This year's format changes mean van Gisbergen needs consistent performances across all track types, not just the road courses where his Supercars experience gives him an edge. The Daytona 500 offers the perfect stage to show he's ready.

As he prepares for NASCAR's most iconic race wearing the numbers his mother once cheered for, van Gisbergen carries both family tradition and newfound confidence into the biggest moment of his American racing career.