Photo credit: Nigel Kinrade Photography
Racing

Honoring history of No. 88 is crucial to Trackhouse Racing

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Honoring the history of NASCAR is very important to Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks, something he highlighted Saturday evening at Daytona International Speedway as he revealed that the team had taken over the iconic No. 88.

This door number has visited victory lane dozens of times at the Cup level. It has been associated with Hall of Fame drivers such as Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Jarrett, Donnie Allison, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

This is why it was no small decision to use the number for Shane van Gisbergen as the New Zealand native goes full-time Cup Series racing in 2025.

"Numbers are important," Marks said at Daytona. "They're a big part of the branding in the sport.

"Numbers represent history and they represent legions of fans and historic drivers and historic moments in the sport. And I think we don't take our number choices lightly."

As Marks explained, it's important for him and Trackhouse Racing to honor the numbers that they use. It's important to add to the winning legacy.

Part of this process is checking with drivers who have used these numbers in the past and essentially asking for approval.

Trackhouse Racing did this when they took over the No. 99 ahead of the organization's inaugural season in 2021. It did so once again ahead of the 2022 season after deciding to use the No. 1.

"I mean, I called Carl Edwards, the end of 2020 and I said, 'We're starting this Cup team. We want to run the 99 number,'" Marks explained. "'And I want to tell you that we're doing this thing, and obviously, get your endorsement of it, and get your support for it.'

"And we did the same with the (No. 1), and we've done it with the 88, talking to the folks at Hendrick (Motorsports), and to Dale Jr."

The former drivers are not the only individuals who had to sign off on Trackhouse Racing using the No. 88. In the words of another Hall of Fame driver, a more important person needed to give permission.

"I got a phone call from Jeff Gordon one day, and he says, 'You talked to me, (Hendrick Motorsports President Marshall Carlson) about it, I know you talked to Dale Jr. Have you talked to Kelly, Kelly Earnhardt,'" explained Trackhouse Racing President Ty Norris.

"I went, 'No.' He goes 'She's the boss. Call her now.' We want to thank Dale Jr and Kelly for letting us (use the number). There are some amazing drivers attached to that number, and so it is a lot of responsibility. We certainly accept that."

The No. 88 has not been active in Cup competition since the 2020 season. Alex Bowman was the driver that year, and he won a race at California Speedway.

Before Bowman, Earnhardt was the driver of the No. 88. He controlled the entry from 2008-17, and he won nine races while driving for Hendrick Motorsports.

Of course, one of the most memorable cars featuring the number had Dale Jarrett behind the wheel. The Hall of Famer drove the No. 88 between 1996-2006 while winning 28 races and the 1999 Cup Series championship.

These three drivers are only some examples of the drivers who achieved success with the No. 88. Now, however, van Gisbergen will carry the torch as he tries to add to the number's winning legacy.