Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport Locks In Competition Leadership For 2026
This time of year, the garage always feels like it’s holding its breath. Rumors float around like exhaust fumes, teams shuffle quietly behind closed doors, and everyone waits to see who’s making moves and who’s standing still. Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport decided not to wait.
They stepped forward with a clear, confident plan for 2026 one that leaves no room for speculation about where this organization is headed. JAR isn’t just reorganizing for optics. They’re building a structure rooted in racer instinct, technical depth, and a leadership group that understands the sport from both sides of the pit wall.
Their announcement yesterday confirmed the competition leadership and organizational lineup for the upcoming season, and it sends a message: this team is ready to evolve from a solid contender into a legitimate threat.
Shane Whitbeck Returns to Steer the Ship
If you want stability, you stick with the person who helped build the foundation. That’s exactly what Jordan Anderson Racing is doing by bringing back Shane Whitbeck as Competition Director for the No. 27, 31, and 32 teams. Whitbeck isn’t a corporate figurehead. He’s a hands‑on racer who has been shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Jordan Anderson and John Bommarito since late 2021.
He’s the type of leader who can diagnose a handling issue by ear, then walk into a meeting and explain the physics behind it. That blend of instinct and intelligence is rare and it’s exactly what Jordan Anderson Racing needs as they take their next step. Since taking over as Competition Director in 2025, Whitbeck has helped shape a culture built on accountability, communication, and passion.
Why Whitbeck’s Influence Is Important
His background as both a former crew chief and a driver gives him a unique ability to bridge the gap between engineering and the cockpit a gap that often slows progress in other organizations.Heading into 2026, Whitbeck’s responsibilities grow even larger.
He will oversee all race operations and play a key role in maximizing the team’s strengthened technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. With Chevrolet’s support behind them, this partnership has the potential to unlock a new level of speed and Whitbeck is the one tasked with making sure that potential becomes reality.
Former Drivers Calling the Shots from the Pit Box
One of the most compelling elements of JAR’s 2026 structure is the crew chief lineup. It’s rare to see an entire roster of crew chiefs who have all strapped into a race car themselves, but that’s exactly what Jordan Anderson Racing has assembled. This isn’t a coincidence it’s a philosophy. Drivers communicate in feel. Engineers communicate in numbers. JAR is building a leadership group that can translate both.
These crew chiefs know what it feels like when a car won’t rotate, when the rear steps out on exit, or when the center of the corner tightens up. They’ve lived those sensations. That shared experience shortens the communication loop and speeds up the problem‑solving process something that can make or break a season.
Mark Setzer Leads the No. 32
Mark Setzer takes over the No. 32 Chevrolet, an All‑Star car featuring a rotation of drivers including Rajah Caruth, Ross Chastain, and Jordan Anderson. Setzer is coming off a strong 2025 season in which he nearly stole a win at Talladega and made a strong playoff push.
With more than 275 starts atop the pit box and a 2001 Hickory Motor Speedway track championship on his driving résumé, Setzer brings a blend of old‑school grit and modern strategy. His ability to adapt to different driving styles will be tested weekly, but JAR believes he’s the right person to lead a car with multiple personalities behind the wheel.
Cody McKenzie Returns to the No. 31
Cody McKenzie returns to guide Blaine Perkins and the No. 31 team. McKenzie is the technical anchor of this group the engineer who can turn a driver’s vague description into actionable adjustments.With degrees in Physics and Mechanical Engineering, McKenzie represents the new era of crew chiefs.
He cut his teeth at Big Machine Racing and RCR, where he developed a reputation for his simulation expertise and data‑driven approach. As Jordan Anderson Racing deepens its Chevrolet technical support, McKenzie’s analytical mindset becomes even more valuable.He’s the type of crew chief who finds speed in the details and in a series where hundredths matter, that skill can change everything.
JC Umscheid Joins the No. 27
The newest addition to the JAR lineup is JC Umscheid, who takes over the No. 27 Chevrolet for Jeb Burton. Umscheid brings a decade of Truck Series experience from powerhouse organizations like TRICON Garage and GMS Racing. But the line on his résumé that really stands out is his Snowball Derby victory with Kaden Honeycutt just over a year ago.
Winning the Snowball Derby the toughest short‑track race in America is a badge of honor. It’s a race that demands perfection, strategy, and nerves of steel. If you can win the Derby, you can call strategy anywhere. Umscheid brings a fresh perspective to the team, and his chemistry with Burton will be a storyline worth watching as the season unfolds.
What This Means for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport
This restructuring is more than a personnel announcement it’s a statement of maturity. JAR is no longer a scrappy underdog trying to survive. They’re building a long‑term competitive identity.By stacking their leadership with individuals who possess both engineering degrees and steering‑wheel experience, JAR is tackling one of the biggest challenges in motorsports: communication.
Drivers often struggle to translate the “feel” of the car into data that engineers can use. Engineers often struggle to interpret that feedback without firsthand experience. JAR is bridging that gap by hiring people who understand both sides of the equation.
Jordan Anderson summed it up perfectly: “We’ve built something unique here a structure that respects the history of racing while pushing us toward our future goals. These guys have lived this sport as drivers, as engineers, as leaders and that experience is going to be a big part of how we continue to improve.”
What’s Next
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a defining one for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport. They have the alliance with RCR, the support from Chevrolet, and now a leadership structure that blends high‑level engineering with grassroots grit.Races aren’t won on paper in February, but the blueprint JAR just released appears to be a winning setup.
With Whitbeck at the helm and a trio of racer‑crew chiefs calling the shots, the rest of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series garage would be wise to take notice. The No. 27, 31, and 32 Chevrolets aren’t just showing up they’re coming to compete.
