Legacy Motor Club (LMC) has announced the promotion of Chais Elaison to crew chief for the No. 42 car, which is currently driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Starting in 2027, Josh Berry will take over driving duties for the No. 42, and Elaison is expected to continue as his crew chief moving forward.
Elaison expressed gratitude for the new role, highlighting the valuable experience he’s gained with the team this season and his eagerness to lead as they finish 2026 and prepare for the upcoming year. Over the past year, Elaison served as the strategy manager and senior performance engineer for Legacy Motor Club. He holds a degree from Michigan Technological University and has previous engineering experience with Hendrick Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing. Elaison was part of championship teams in 2016 and 2021 and made his debut as an interim crew chief last year with Shane van Gisbergen at Kansas, where van Gisbergen achieved his first top-ten finish on an oval track.
Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, emphasized the organization’s commitment to internal growth and recognized Elaison’s readiness for this leadership role. Elaison replaces Travis Mack, who is departing from the team after leading over 200 Cup races and guiding Daniel Suarez to his first NASCAR Cup victory at Sonoma Raceway in 2022. Johnson thanked Mack for his significant contributions to the team’s development and wished him success in his future pursuits.
Fan Take: This promotion underscores Legacy Motor Club’s focus on nurturing talent within its ranks, a strategy that promises consistency and growth for the No. 42 team. For NASCAR fans, Elaison’s fresh leadership could be the catalyst for stronger performances and exciting competition in the seasons ahead.
Source: www.motorsport.com
