Auburndale Native Brandon McSwain Makes Crew Chief Debut at Daytona 500

The 37-year-old engineer is now leading the famed No. 1 Trackhouse Racing team in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Feb. 15, 2026 at 7:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Brandon McSwain, an Auburndale High School graduate, arrives in Daytona Beach as a two-time defending Daytona 500 champion engineer and is now making his debut as the crew chief for the Trackhouse Racing team and driver Ross Chastain in the 68th Running of the Daytona 500.

Why it matters

McSwain's transition from engineer to crew chief represents a significant career milestone, as he takes on the leadership role for a major NASCAR team at one of the sport's most prestigious events. His local Florida roots and long-standing relationship with driver Ross Chastain add an intriguing personal element to the story.

The details

After attending Polk State College and the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, McSwain worked his way up the NASCAR ranks, most recently as an engineer for William Byron's Hendrick Motorsports team. Now, he'll be calling the shots for Trackhouse Racing driver Ross Chastain, whom McSwain has known for over a decade from their days racing together on Florida short tracks.

  • McSwain will make his crew chief debut at the 68th Running of the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026.
  • McSwain is a two-time defending Daytona 500 champion engineer.

The players

Brandon McSwain

A 37-year-old Auburndale, Florida native who is making his debut as a crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series for the Trackhouse Racing team.

Ross Chastain

The Trackhouse Racing driver who will be piloting the No. 1 car that McSwain is crew chiefing for the Daytona 500.

William Byron

The Hendrick Motorsports driver who McSwain most recently worked as an engineer for.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Brandon is a great guy. We worked together for 10 years across Saturdays and Sundays in my career and we've been through a lot on the track and off the track. He's a really smart and all-around good guy. I'm excited for him to have this opportunity and he's still in the Chevy family, which is great too.”

— William Byron

“I tossed his name in the hat at Trackhouse. He was my guy They were interviewing several great candidates. All would have been great crew chiefs. Some are currently, and some will be one day. My vote was Brandon. I had the relationship with him and feel like I understand his voice. I'm a people person, and I feel like I understand what he's saying long before I have to kind of think about it.”

— Ross Chastain

What’s next

The 68th Running of the Daytona 500 will take place on February 15, 2026, where McSwain will make his crew chief debut.

The takeaway

McSwain's journey from a local Florida racing fan to becoming a crew chief for a major NASCAR team at the prestigious Daytona 500 is an inspiring story of perseverance and the realization of a lifelong dream. His deep connections to the local community and strong relationships with drivers like Chastain add a personal touch to this milestone moment in his career.