Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen will race for JR Motorsports again in 2027, according to Yahoo Sports. Next year, a few NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races will see the two drivers join the team led by Earnhardt. This is not a full-time deal, but it keeps the best talent on the track when it counts. The team has won 120 races in this series and claims 15 victories in 2026 alone. That winning streak needs these two drivers to keep rolling.
Chastain proved his worth by winning at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2026 and taking the pole at Dover. He also helped secure a historic 1-2-3-4 finish for the team at Indianapolis this year. Van Gisbergen brings his own magic with wins at the Chicago Street Course and Sonoma. These are victories that define a season. The team knows that having these names on the entry list changes how the whole field races.
The Value of Selective Starts
Many fans think a driver must run every race to matter. This move shows that view is wrong. JR Motorsports runs different drivers in its No. 9 Chevrolet all year long. They have full-time stars like Justin Allgaier and Sammy Smith. They also have rising talent like Carson Kvapil and Rajah Caruth. Now they add Chastain and Van Gisbergen for the big moments. Sam Mayer will replace Smith next year, showing the team keeps evolving its roster.
The years 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2024 saw the team secure the driver’s championship. They do not need these Cup stars to win the title. They need them to win the specific races that make headlines. Chastain ran five races in 2025 and earned three top fives. He returned for five more races in 2026 with even better results. Van Gisbergen ran three races in both years, all on road and street courses. His record includes victories at COTA and Sonoma. This strategy works because it puts the best car in the best hands for the hardest tracks.
Why the Cup Stars Stay Connected
Cup Series drivers often forget their roots. These two do not. A Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 victor, Chastain continues to compete in the lower series. Van Gisbergen is the winningest foreign-born driver in NASCAR history. They race for JR Motorsports because they respect the team and the fans. This is not a side project for them. It is a chance to prove they can handle any car on any track.
The team has not announced which races these two will run next year. That lack of detail is fine. The announcement of their return is the real story. It tells us that JR Motorsports plans to dominate the 2027 season. They will have a full-time roster that wins championships. They will also have these two stars ready to strike on the biggest weekends. The 1-2-3-4 finish at Indianapolis proves what happens when this team is at its best. Everyone else just watches.
A Legacy Built on Speed
The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is the true home for JR Motorsports. They have won the driver’s championship four times. They have 15 wins in 2026 alone. Adding Chastain and Van Gisbergen ensures they keep that momentum. These drivers do not need the full-time paycheck to care. They care because they want to win. That shared goal is what makes this deal work.
Chastain and Van Gisbergen will be back on the track in 2027. They will bring their speed to the No. 9 Chevrolet.
