Hendrick Motorsports Engineer Tapped to Lead Ross Chastain's No. 1 Pit Crew in 2026

Trackhouse Racing has announced a significant crew chief change for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, with Brandon McSwain set to take the helm of Ross Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet. McSwain, currently a key engineer for the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team, will replace Phil Surgen, who has been Chastain’s crew chief since the 2021 season.

The partnership between Chastain and Surgen has been highly successful, marked by all six of Chastain’s career Cup Series victories. This pairing came agonizingly close to securing the 2022 Cup Series championship and most recently achieved a prestigious win in the 2025 Coca-Cola 600. Over the past four seasons, the duo has qualified for the playoffs three times, concluding the 2025 season ranked tenth in the overall championship standings. Surgen will be transitioning to a new role within the Trackhouse organization following this change.

McSwain brings a wealth of technical knowledge and championship pedigree to the No. 1 team. His tenure at Hendrick Motorsports, spanning six years with the No. 24 car, has seen remarkable consistency, with driver William Byron reaching the Championship 4 in each of the last three consecutive seasons. Prior to his time at Hendrick, McSwain also contributed to JR Motorsports, being part of the championship-winning teams in 2017 and 2018, alongside drivers William Byron and Tyler Reddick respectively. While McSwain’s experience as a lead crew chief is limited, he has filled in for Rudy Fugle on the No. 24 Chevrolet on several occasions, demonstrating his capability to step into a leadership role.

This strategic move by Trackhouse Racing comes as the organization seeks to bolster its performance across the board. The team has acknowledged a challenging 2025 season compared to previous years, with the notable exception of Shane van Gisbergen’s success on road and street courses. The organizational shake-up also includes internal crew member adjustments and the recent appointment of a new president of racing operations, signaling a concerted effort to elevate the team’s overall competitiveness.

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The 2026 season will mark a new chapter for Ross Chastain and the No. 1 team. The appointment of McSwain, a highly regarded engineer from a championship-contending organization, indicates Trackhouse Racing’s commitment to leveraging top-tier technical expertise to support Chastain’s aggressive driving style and pursuit of further victories. The team will be looking to integrate McSwain’s insights and experience to build upon the strong foundation laid by Surgen, aiming for consistent performance and a renewed championship challenge in the seasons to come. The transition is expected to be smooth, given McSwain’s deep understanding of competitive Cup Series operations gained at Hendrick Motorsports.