Chastain and van Gisbergen to Drive for JR Motorsports

The two drivers will split time in the No. 9 Chevrolet during the 2027 season alongside rising star Tristan McKee.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Motorsports

Chastain and van Gisbergen to Drive for JR Motorsports

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JR Motorsports has announced its 2027 driver lineup for the No. 9 Chevrolet, featuring Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen. The team will also introduce development driver Tristan McKee, who is set to begin a part-time schedule in 2027.

Why it matters

The No. 9 Chevrolet serves as an All-Star entry for JR Motorsports, allowing the team to rotate experienced veterans and rising prospects throughout the season. This collaborative approach provides development drivers like McKee a pathway to integrate into professional competition.

In 2026, Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen made a combined eight starts in the No. 9 Chevrolet, which also saw appearances from Carson Kvapil, Jake Finch, and Lee Pulliam. Tristan McKee will debut in August 2027 at age 17.

The players

JR Motorsports

This professional racing organization competes in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and is co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Ross Chastain

He is a professional race car driver known for his competitive tenure across national series and his 2026 win at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Shane van Gisbergen

The New Zealand native is a professional race car driver who transitioned from international touring car competition to the U.S. circuit.

Tristan McKee

He is a teenage development driver affiliated with Spire Motorsports who is beginning his professional career in the O'Reilly Series.

The details

The No. 9 Chevrolet functions as the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series All-Star car, rotating drivers for select race starts throughout the season. Tristan McKee, a development driver for Spire Motorsports, will utilize the 2027 season for part-time racing before expanding his schedule in 2028 and moving to full-time competition in 2029.

In 2026, Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain drove the No. 9 car.
During 2027, Chastain, van Gisbergen, and McKee will drive the No. 9 car.
Tristan McKee will make his O'Reilly Series debut in August 2027.
Tristan McKee will expand his race schedule in 2028.
Tristan McKee will compete in a full-time schedule in 2029.

Season Trajectory

The rotation of veterans alongside a development driver maintains the All-Star team structure used by JR Motorsports to cultivate future talent. This strategy mirrors the long-term progression plan for Tristan McKee as he moves toward a full-time ride by 2029.

Fans tracking the O'Reilly Series will see Tristan McKee debut at Bristol Motor Speedway in August 2027. Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen will continue to provide veteran performance for the No. 9 entry throughout the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The use of an All-Star car allows racing teams to balance championship-level performance with the need to develop young prospects. Identifying early-career development drivers is a standard tactic for teams looking to secure their long-term competitive standing.