Hendrick Motorsports Engineer Poised to Lead Ross Chastain's No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Effort in 2026

Charlotte, NC – A significant shift is set to occur in the NASCAR Cup Series pit box for the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Team Chevrolet, as Brandon McSwain, a seasoned engineer with the formidable No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team, has been appointed as the new crew chief for driver Ross Chastain, effective for the 2026 season. This strategic move signals Trackhouse Racing’s intent to bolster its competitive standing by leveraging the proven engineering acumen honed within one of NASCAR’s most successful organizations.

McSwain’s tenure at Hendrick Motorsports, spanning the past six years, has been marked by a deep involvement with the No. 24 Chevrolet, a car that has consistently been a championship contender. Under his engineering guidance, the No. 24 has reached the Championship 4 in the last three consecutive seasons, a testament to the team’s consistent performance and technical prowess. Prior to his time at Hendrick, McSwain also contributed to the success of JR Motorsports, being an integral part of their championship-winning teams in 2017 and 2018, first with William Byron and subsequently with Tyler Reddick. This experience across different, highly competitive environments provides him with a broad understanding of what it takes to build a winning program.

The appointment of McSwain marks the end of an era for Chastain and his current crew chief, Phil Surgen. The partnership between Chastain and Surgen has been remarkably successful, dating back to the 2021 season when Chastain was still competing under the Chip Ganassi Racing banner. In their time together, they have achieved all six of Chastain’s NASCAR Cup Series victories. Their synergy was further highlighted by a near-championship run in the 2022 Cup Series season, where they contended for the title until the final race. More recently, the duo secured a prestigious victory in the 2025 Coca-Cola 600, one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events.

Despite their past successes, the team has made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, concluding the 2025 season in tenth place in the final championship standings. While the pairing has delivered significant wins and playoff appearances, the decision to transition to a new crew chief suggests a desire for a fresh perspective and perhaps a renewed push for consistent championship contention. Surgen will transition to a new role within the Trackhouse organization, a move that indicates the team’s commitment to retaining valuable personnel while making strategic adjustments.

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McSwain’s experience as a crew chief, while less extensive than his engineering background, includes filling in for Rudy Fugle on the No. 24 team on several occasions. These instances provided him with direct leadership experience at the helm of a race team, allowing him to apply his engineering insights in a crew chief capacity. This dual understanding of both the technical and strategic aspects of race management is expected to be a significant asset in his new role.

This crew chief change is part of a broader pattern of internal adjustments at Trackhouse Racing. The organization has been actively reconfiguring its personnel and leadership structure, including crew member rotations and the recent appointment of a new president of racing operations. These strategic realignments come in the wake of a season where the team, excluding the exceptional road course performances of Shane van Gisbergen, has experienced a relative dip in overall performance compared to previous years. The team’s pursuit of consistent competitiveness across all track types appears to be a driving force behind these organizational shifts.

The 2025 season has presented challenges for Trackhouse Racing. While van Gisbergen, a Supercars champion, has showcased remarkable talent on road and street circuits, securing victories that have been highlights for the team, the overall performance across the wider spectrum of NASCAR Cup Series racing has not met the high expectations set by their earlier successes. The team’s efforts to translate their road course prowess into consistent oval track results remain a key focus. The introduction of McSwain, with his background in developing championship-level machinery at Hendrick Motorsports, is intended to address these areas and elevate the No. 1 team’s performance.

The engineering philosophy at Hendrick Motorsports, known for its meticulous data analysis, innovative car development, and strong driver-crew chief relationships, is a model that Trackhouse will hope to emulate through McSwain’s leadership. His experience in an environment that consistently produces championship contenders will undoubtedly bring a wealth of knowledge and a winning mindset to Chastain’s camp. The transition from an engineering role to a crew chief position requires a significant adaptation, demanding not only technical expertise but also strong leadership, communication, and the ability to make split-second strategic decisions under pressure. McSwain’s prior fill-in roles suggest he is prepared for this challenge.

Ross Chastain, known for his aggressive driving style and passionate fanbase, will be looking to leverage McSwain’s expertise to maintain his position as a top-tier competitor in the Cup Series. The synergy between Chastain’s driving talent and McSwain’s strategic and technical leadership will be a critical factor in the No. 1 team’s quest for more victories and a championship title. The upcoming seasons will be crucial in evaluating the impact of this significant crew chief change and its contribution to Trackhouse Racing’s overarching goals. The team’s proactive approach to personnel changes underscores its ambition to remain a prominent force in the highly competitive NASCAR landscape.