Another crew chief move is in the pipeline in NASCAR, and this time it’s Ross Chastain and his crew’s turn for a change. Phil Surgen currently serves as the crew chief for the 32-year-old driver, but this partnership is slated to end ahead of the 2026 season. Hendrick Motorsports’ engineer Brandon McSwain is expected to take over as Ross Chastain’s crew chief, moving over to Trackhouse Racing.

Phil Surgen has worked alongside Chastain since 2021. The two first collaborated at Chip Ganassi Racing, and when Chastain decided to join Trackhouse Racing, Surgen followed him. Since then, the duo has shared a strong working relationship and even competed for the Cup Series title together. However, reliable sources within the NASCAR community have revealed that Surgen’s tenure as Chastain’s crew chief may soon come to an end.

According to RACER, Hendrick Motorsports engineer Brandon McSwain will replace Surgen starting in 2026. McSwain has frequently stepped into the role of crew chief during his career and notably guided William Byron during a one-off appearance at the fall Daytona race. His impressive track record has led Trackhouse Racing to place their confidence in him, with an official announcement regarding his appointment as Chastain’s crew chief expected soon.

### How Did Ross Chastain and Phil Surgen Perform at Martinsville Speedway?

Under Phil Surgen’s guidance, Ross Chastain has flourished as a race winner. Together, they have claimed six victories, with the potential for more still within reach. Although Chastain did not advance to the Round of 8, which ultimately cost him a shot at the Cup Series title, the pair consistently delivered strong performances on race weekends.

One notable example was at Martinsville Speedway. Chastain started the race in 13th position and faced a setback when he found himself a lap down. However, strategic decisions from Phil Surgen helped turn the race around. After taking a wave-around, which acted as a free pit stop, Surgen made critical adjustments that revitalized the car. This strategy enabled Chastain to recover and finish a commendable fourth at the checkered flag.

Chastain reflected on the race, stating,
“We went a lap down; made some good adjustments when we took the wave-around. It was a free pit stop, per se, later, and Phil Surgen did a bunch of adjustments that brought the car back to life. We caught that caution, which took us from around 10th into the top five. I think we just watched William Byron cement himself into the championship race.”

So far, Ross Chastain has participated in 143 races with Trackhouse Racing, building a solid foundation and achieving notable success alongside Phil Surgen. As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on the new driver-crew chief pairing with Brandon McSwain taking the helm.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nascar/news-trackhouse-preparing-major-leadership-change-around-ross-chastain-rick-hendrick-s-camp-reports