Chastain to Team Up with McSwain as Crew Chief for 2026 Season
In a significant strategic shift for Trackhouse Racing, Ross Chastain will partner with new crew chief Brandon McSwain starting in the 2026 season, confirmed by sources close to the situation.
McSwain, who has been an engineer on the No. 24 team of William Byron at Hendrick Motorsports since 2019, will succeed Phil Surgen, who has guided Chastain since 2021. Under Surgen’s leadership, Chastain secured six victories, including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 in May, and made one appearance in the Championship 4.
This marks McSwain’s first full-time role as a Cup Series crew chief, although he has previously filled in on an interim basis for Byron when Rudy Fugle was unavailable. Notably, McSwain has a history of success, having served as crew chief in the Xfinity Series, including a championship-winning season with Byron in 2017.
Trackhouse Racing is anticipated to formally announce McSwain’s hiring following the conclusion of the current racing season.
