Van Gisbergen Sets His Sights on 2026 Truck Debut
Shane van Gisbergen will step back into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next year, contesting the 2026 race at Richmond Raceway from the No. 7 Chevrolet. The entry, backed by HendrickCars.com, marks the New Zealander’s fifth appearance in the series and his third start on an oval circuit.
His most recent oval outing came at North Wilkesboro Speedway, where he climbed to third place in the No. 71 Spire Chevrolet, matching the best result any driver has achieved on a short track in the three national divisions. He also led 49 laps during that weekend and finished fifth in the corresponding Cup race, underscoring his adaptability across formats.
The No. 7 truck has a storied roster of drivers behind its wheel, from Kyle Busch and Connor Mosack to Sammy Smith, Rajah Caruth, Corey Day and the ever‑popular Chase Elliott. Van Gisbergen himself has tasted success at Richmond before, finishing 14th in a Cup race last summer and 15th in the 2024 O’Reilly event, performances that have set the stage for a stronger showing in 2026.
This weekend’s lineup adds another layer of intrigue, with Christopher Bell emerging as the sole full‑time Cup driver entered in the Truck race, while Corey Heim returns with the hope of adding another victory to his résumé. The convergence of experienced Cup competitors and seasoned Truck veterans promises a tightly contested event.