Legacy Motor Club has elevated Chais Elaison to crew chief of the No.42 series, a role that will carry him alongside driver John Hunter Nemechek for the final races of 2026 and set the stage for 2027.
New Leadership for the No.42
Elaison will steer the No.42 into the closing eight events of the season as it works to finish 2026 under one banner. Following this period, Josh Berry will take the helm of the same entry, pairing him with Elaison for the 2027 campaign.
Elaison’s Pedigree and Roles
With a B.S. from Michigan Technological University, Elaison spent the past year as strategy manager and senior performance engineer at Legacy. His prior stints include engineering duties at Hendrick Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing, where he contributed to both 2016 and 2021 championship victories. Last year, he stepped in as interim crew chief for Shane van Gisbergen at Kansas, a collaboration that ended with van Gisbergen’s first oval top‑ten finish.
Legacy’s Commitment to Internal Development
“Promoting from within and giving our people the opportunity to grow is central to how we’re building Legacy,” said co‑owner Jimmie Johnson. Johnson praised Elaison for showing that he is prepared for the responsibilities that come with leading the No.42 team. The organization plans to build further momentum from the remaining races into the full 2027 schedule.
Change at the Top of the Pit Box
Elaison replaces Travis Mack, who will depart Legacy after a two‑year run in which he guided the No.42 through more than 200 Cup events. Mack’s most notable highlight includes steering Daniel Suarez to his first Cup win at Sonoma in 2022. He has since served as crew chief for Trackhouse and Kaulig before joining Legacy.
Legacy thanked Mack for “his many contributions” and “the foundation for excellence” he created during a critical period of growth. Johnson wished him continued success in future endeavors.
While trailing a season called for new directions, the team is poised to leverage Elaison’s engineering insight and leadership experience as it finishes 2026 and transitions into the developmental cycle for 2027.
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