Michael ‘Fatback’ McSwain will step down as crew chief of the #21 Wood Brothers Ford driven by Bill Elliott at the end of the 2007 season. He said Sunday at California Speedway he does not yet know what he’ll be doing in 2008. “I’ve done this so long, it’s pretty much all I know,” said McSwain, who has worked in NASCAR for 17 years, the last 11 as a crew chief.

McSwain lives in Dallas, N.C. with his wife Deanna. He wants to spend more time at home with her and is tired of leaving two-year-old daughter Makayla and three-month-old son Wyatt wondering where ‘daddy is going.’ Secondary to his family but hugely important in his life, McSwain wants the opportunity to deepen his faith in God.

“I believe in the Bible and I believe in God, but my faith is not as strong as I would like it to be,” McSwain said. “I was raised a Christian. I’m a member of a church on paper, but I’m not there to participate and grow.” McSwain, who grew up in Shelby, N.C., said he went to Wood Brothers near the end of 2004. “They’re great people,” McSwain said of the family race team that has been a NASCAR pioneer. “I consider them brothers. I want to do anything I can to help them.”

While he knows he won’t be back as crew chief, McSwain said he might end up working in some capacity for Wood Bros. “Something will happen; I never planned any of it,” said McSwain, who added that he feels his God will do the leading. “He has so far; I’ve got no reason to believe He won’t now,” added McSwain.

[Ford Racing]

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