Ross Chastain is entering the 2026 NASCAR season facing significant changes as he parts ways with longtime crew chief Phil Surgen. After nearly five years of working closely together at Trackhouse Racing, Chastain must now adjust to a new leadership dynamic while managing expectations and pressures that come with the shift.
The experienced driver acknowledged the emotional challenges that arose from parting with Surgen, especially given their shared history and successes. The change comes as Surgen steps into a new role within Trackhouse Racing, driven primarily by personal priorities, marking a notable transition in the team’s structure.
Reflecting on the Partnership with Phil Surgen
In a recent interview with Toby Christie, Chastain shared his initial hopes to conclude his Cup Series career alongside Surgen. He explained that their split was influenced by Surgen’s desire to spend more time at home due to the demanding travel schedule the role required.
Well, for sure. I thought I was going to end my Cup career with Phil Surgen, and it just came time for him and his family to be home more. I understand that. This is a grind and he came to us with plenty of time and explained what he wanted to do, and he created his own job really at the top of Trackhouse with Darian Grubb (Director of Performance at TR) and the leadership group over the competition side and he can help Brandon, he can help Randall now, Steven on our three cars.
– Ross Chastain, NASCAR Driver
Chastain highlighted how Surgen’s new position was designed to leverage his expertise to support other drivers and engineers across the team, ensuring the continuity of high-level performance within Trackhouse Racing.
Choosing the New Crew Chief: Brandon McSwain
The process of selecting a new crew chief was a critical moment for Chastain, who described weighing multiple candidates before deciding on Brandon McSwain. McSwain comes with solid engineering experience from Hendrick Motorsports, having worked on William Byron‘s #24 car since 2019, although this is his first role as a full-time Cup Series crew chief.
So he was my vote, and that wasn’t like, it wasn’t like I slammed my fist on the table and said I got to have him, I just said I think this is the guy, and I made my case. There was great candidates out there ready, that are ready to crew chief that haven’t and also some veteran guys that are crew chief or will soon again. So I feel like I could have made it work with a few of them, but my vote was Brandon. At some point, you got to make a decision,
– Ross Chastain, NASCAR Driver
Chastain emphasized the importance of making a timely decision while pointing out that several qualified individuals were in consideration. His choice reflects a vote of confidence in McSwain’s technical skills and potential to support his performance on the track.
Background and Expectations for Brandon McSwain
Brandon McSwain’s promotion to crew chief represents a significant step in his career after years as an engineer. The transition to a full-time crew chief role comes with substantial pressure, especially as Chastain is Trackhouse Racing’s most prominent driver. McSwain must now lead the #1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 through a competitive season while facing comparisons to Surgen’s previous successes.
Last year, Chastain was overshadowed by teammate Shane van Gisbergen, who won five races, while Chastain secured one victory. With McSwain at the helm, the team hopes to boost Chastain’s results and maintain a strong presence in the Cup Series.
Together, Chastain and Surgen captured six wins, including the notable 2025 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. They also reached the Championship 4 in 2022 but finished behind Joey Logano in the final race at Phoenix. Now, the question remains how Chastain and McSwain will work together under new circumstances.
Reasons Behind Phil Surgen’s Departure
Phil Surgen recently spoke on a podcast hosted by Jon Cain and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, revealing his decision to move away from the grueling travel demands of a crew chief.
Personally, I had a desire to travel less. As a crew chief, I was traveling 38 weekends a year and with a young family, I just felt the need to spend more time at home with the family. So, now I’ve transitioned to director of technology.
– Phil Surgen, Former Crew Chief
In his new role as director of technology, Surgen will lead Trackhouse Racing’s team of race engineers, focusing on performance evaluation and improvement across the team’s three cars. This internal shift allows him to remain integral to the team’s competitive success while managing his personal priorities.
Trackhouse Racing’s Driver Lineup for 2026
Going into the season, Ross Chastain will continue driving the #1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, while Shane van Gisbergen pilots the #97 car. Additionally, Connor Zilisch replaces Daniel Suarez behind the wheel of the #88 car. Team leaders are optimistic about the synergy among the drivers and new technical staff as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
The upcoming season will test the strength of Chastain’s partnership with McSwain and show how Trackhouse Racing adapts following Surgen’s departure. The team’s adjustments highlight the constant evolution in NASCAR, where personal decisions and professional demands intersect amid a high-stakes competitive environment.
Ross Chastain felt he would retire from the #NASCAR Cup Series with Phil Surgen as his crew chief. However, he fully understands that Surgen and his family needed more time together away from the track. pic.twitter.com/GK1eyGajTX
— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) February 11, 2026
