"Fatback" McSwain will give his input on all of the Wood Brothers Racing teams. Credit: Autostock

Wood Brothers promote McSwain to race director

Hyder named crew chief for No. 21 Ford driven by Schrader

Harrisburg, N.C. -- Former crew chief Michael "Fatback" McSwain has been promoted to the position of race director for all of the teams under the Wood Brothers Racing-ST Motorsports-Wood Brothers/JTG Racing umbrella and David Hyder has been hired as crew chief for the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford Fusion for driver Kenny Schrader, team co-owner Eddie Wood said.

"This was just the logical progression of events," Wood said. "Hyder was Kenny Schrader's crew chief in 2004, and they had a good thing going [at BAM Racing]. We wanted to keep the relationship between Kenny and David intact.

David Hyder will serve as crew chief for the No. 21. Credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

"And at the same time, we are giving Fatback the title that goes with the work he has been doing in getting the Truck, Busch and Cup teams under one roof and ready for competition next year. He has coordinated the move to our new location while maintaining a leadership role in the fabrication and engineering of all of our race cars and trucks. These changes will just strengthen our Little Debbie/Motorcraft/U.S. Air Force [Nextel Cup] team in 2006."

Hyder comes to the Wood Brothers operation after working with Schrader as crew chief at Bam Racing for more than a year. Before that he was with Petty Enterprises where he served as car chief for both the No. 43 and No. 45 Nextel Cup cars.

The native of High Point, N.C., has a history in racing that spans close to 25 years. For 17 years he raced Late Model stock cars including stints in Hooters Pro Cup and the All Pro Series.

"I am so pleased to be able to continue the working relationship Kenny and I started at BAM," Hyder said. "And, I'm looking forward to working Eddie, Len, Fatback and everybody at Wood Brothers Racing. This is really a win-win situation for me."

	Ken Schrader will drive the No. 21 in '06. Credit: Autostock
	SCHRADER TO 21 The Wood Brothers named Ken Schrader the successor to Ricky Rudd in the No. 21 Ford for '06.  •   Complete story, click here

"I'm glad that Eddie and Len decided to hire David," McSwain said. "I already know he and Kenny work well together, and this will give me the freedom to work with the five teams we now have in place. It would have been very difficult to work with all the teams and remain as crew chief for the 21, so this is a great solution."

McSwain has been with Wood Brothers Racing as crew chief for the No. 21 Nextel Cup Series team since August 2004. The racing veteran has been on the Cup circuit since 1992.

McSwain's first position was as a fabricator for Lake Speed. Since that time he has served as crew chief for various teams including those owned by Jasper Motorsports, Ricky Rudd, Robert Yates and Joe Gibbs.

McSwain was born in Lattimore, N.C., and is a 1986 graduate of Nashville Auto Diesel College.

Schrader also gave his stamp of approval to the news.

"This is wonderful," Schrader said. "David and I had something really good coming together at the end of the season, and now we'll be able to work together here. I couldn't be happier with the way things are starting out for the new year."

The multi-team operation has recently moved into a new shop in Harrisburg.