Who doesn’t love a great prank? Even in the pressure cooker world of NASCAR, where precision and speed rule the day, a little mischief now and then can lighten the mood. Recently, Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) and Scott McLaughlin proved this point when they pulled a classic fast one on Connor Zilisch, setting off a chain reaction that brought back memories of one of NASCAR’s most legendary crew chiefs—and his fiery reaction to a prank has gone wrong.

During Trackhouse Racing’s recent team launch, SVG and McLaughlin couldn’t resist an opportunity for some fun. But as Connor Zilisch shared the aftermath online, veteran reporter Matt Yocum chimed in with a hilarious story of his own. It involved none other than the legendary Chad Knaus, whose no-nonsense style and relentless pursuit of perfection became legendary—as did his ability to unleash a flurry of perfectly timed F-bombs.

SVG and McLaughlin’s hijinks meet Knaus’ legendary temper

Connor Zilisch learned a valuable lesson about leaving his phone unattended the hard way. While busy on the track, he returned to find his device hijacked by Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin, who had left him a series of funny selfies. Zilisch took it in stride, posting the photos on X with the caption: “Left my phone on the timing stand when I got in the car. Lesson learned boys @shanevg97 @smclaughlin93.”

The playful moment reminded veteran NASCAR reporter Matt Yocum of an unforgettable prank from his own past. Yocum’s story, however, featured a slightly less amused target: Chad Knaus.

“I remember when Chad Knaus left his Nokia 9100 unattended in the front of the hauler,” Yocum recalled. “I changed the language to Chinese. He left me a funny message—I believe there was an F-bomb or three used. He had to borrow someone else’s phone and go step by step [to fix it].”

Knaus, true to form, didn’t let the prank slide. “When I came back,” Yocum said, “He walked up the aisle and stopped me at the steps. He grabbed yellow duct tape, put it across the top step, and said, ‘This is the Matty line. You are not allowed behind this. You can talk through the doorway.’”

The story perfectly encapsulates Knaus’ personality—blunt, driven, and fiercely protective of his work. This is the same man who, during his first meeting with Ray Evernham, didn’t hesitate to declare that he wanted Evernham’s job. Knaus’ no-nonsense attitude didn’t just make him a fearsome competitor; it also earned him legendary status in NASCAR.

Chad Knaus’ legacy of excellence and Trackhouse plans

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Chad Knaus’ resume speaks for itself. A NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Knaus is best known for his record-setting partnership with driver Jimmie Johnson on the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team. Together, they achieved a staggering seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, including an unprecedented five straight titles from 2006 to 2010. Add 83 wins to the mix, and it’s no wonder the No. 48 team was virtually untouchable during its prime.

But it wasn’t just the numbers that set Knaus apart—it was his relentless pursuit of perfection. “We worked really hard,” Knaus reflected during his Hall of Fame induction. “We were tenacious. We had a passion for the industry. We outworked most people. And we bought into one another.”

That determination was evident from the start of his career. When Knaus first approached Ray Evernham in 1993 for a job, he skipped work at Stanley Smith’s race shop to make the trip. And when Evernham—who would later give Knaus his first crew chief job—asked what he wanted, Knaus’ answer was simple: “I want your job.”

Knaus brought that same energy to Hendrick Motorsports, where his innovations and ability to push boundaries gave his team an edge. As Jimmie Johnson put it, “We were just a few steps ahead… Chad was just tireless with his development of our race cars. We would test nonstop… and he had this stuff kind of waiting.”

Even as competitors caught up, Knaus’ ability to find advantages kept his team in the hunt. “He had many more management skills than I wanted to admit at the time,” Johnson said. “Looking back, he had this way to manage the environment that was so good.”

While Yocum’s prank story and Knaus’ legacy remind us of NASCAR’s rich history, Trackhouse Racing’s recent team launch was one to watch. With drivers like Shane van Gisbergen, Ross Chastain, and Daniel Suárez leading their NASCAR Cup Series efforts, and their continued expansion into MotoGP, Trackhouse is carving out its place as one of the sport’s most ambitious teams.

The team’s 2025 livery launch showcased striking designs for both their NASCAR Cup Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s and Aprilia MotoGP bikes. Featuring Trackhouse’s signature blue and black with bold dayglo yellow accents, the designs reflect the team’s modern and innovative approach.

“Aligning with iconic brands like Gulf is a huge milestone for Trackhouse,” said team owner Justin Marks. “We can’t wait to get these cars and bikes on the track.”

Trackhouse’s roster also includes rising star Connor Zilisch, whose journey from karting prodigy to Xfinity Series standout has been nothing short of remarkable, and his association with Trackhouse positions him as one to watch.

As the 2025 season approaches, Trackhouse’s goals are clear: build on their momentum and continue to challenge NASCAR’s established order. With a mix of talent, innovation, and a willingness to take risks, they’re poised to make noise both on and off the track—pranks and all.