Shane van Gisbergen Set for Richmond Truck Series Return with Spire Motorsports

Shane van Gisbergen is set to make another highly anticipated appearance in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Spire Motorsports has confirmed that the New Zealand racing star will pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado in this Friday night's race at Richmond Raceway, carrying sponsorship from HendrickCars.com.

This upcoming start marks Van Gisbergen's fifth career appearance in the Truck Series and his third on an oval. The Kiwi has quickly adapted to the challenges of circle-track racing, showing immense progress with every outing.

Building on Oval Momentum

Van Gisbergen's last Truck Series appearance at North Wilkesboro Speedway was a breakout performance. Behind the wheel of Spire’s No. 71 entry, he fought his way to a brilliant third-place finish, matching his career-best result on an oval in NASCAR's national divisions.

That performance kicked off a spectacular weekend of racing for the rookie, who went on to lead 49 laps and secure a top-five finish (fifth) in the Cup Series main event. He will look to replicate that speed as he returns to the short track of Richmond.

The Legacy of the No. 7 Chevrolet

Spire Motorsports' No. 7 truck has featured a rotating roster of elite talent throughout the 2026 campaign. Notably, the truck was driven to its final two victories by the legendary Kyle Busch prior to his tragic passing.

Aside from Busch, the competitive ride has been shared by a diverse group of drivers this season, including Cup champion Chase Elliott, Sammy Smith, Connor Mosack, dirt standout Corey Day, and Rajah Caruth.

Richmond Experience and the Field

While Richmond is a demanding track, Van Gisbergen is not entering completely green. He has logged valuable laps at the Virginia short track in both of NASCAR's top tiers, finishing 14th in his Cup debut there last summer and 15th in his Xfinity Series appearance earlier in 2024.

Van Gisbergen won't be the only heavyweight pulling double duty this weekend. Joe Gibbs Racing's Christopher Bell is also slated to join the Truck Series grid, representing the only other full-time Cup Series regular in the field. Additionally, Truck Series powerhouse Corey Heim returns to the grid as a heavy favorite to contend for the checkered flag.