23XI Racing hires veteran crew chief John Klausmeier as technical director
NXTbets Pro | Published On: November 11, 2026
John Klausmeier joins 23XI
23XI Racing has hired veteran crew chief and engineer John Klausmeier as its first technical director, a move that adds another layer to the organization as it prepares for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season. Klausmeier is set to start in the role with the 2027 season after previously holding a similar position at Richard Childress Racing. The hire gives 23XI a familiar name with a long background in the garage area and in the engineering side of the sport. It also gives the team a dedicated technical lead for a critical stretch of planning as it maps out the next phase of its Cup Series program. The team said the move brings depth and experience to the organization, two traits that matter when an operation is trying to build on an established base and keep moving forward. Klausmeier’s new job places him in the middle of the team’s competition structure, where technical decisions, engineering development and communication between departments can shape how a season comes together.
Rogers welcomes addition
Dave Rogers, 23XI Racing’s senior director of competition, will work with Klausmeier as the team folds the new technical director into its structure. Klausmeier will work with the crew chiefs and engineers across the organization, adding another voice to that group. Rogers said Klausmeier’s addition will strengthen 23XI’s competition department and build on the foundation already in place. He also pointed to continued growth in the engineering department as part of the reason the move makes sense for the team. That lines up with Klausmeier’s background. He arrives as a veteran crew chief and engineer, which gives 23XI a staff member who understands both the competition side and the technical demands that go with it. The role is designed to put Klausmeier in the middle of that process, guiding technical direction while helping the team’s engineers and crew chiefs stay aligned. In a sport where small gains can matter from week to week, that kind of internal structure can carry real value for a team looking to keep its momentum going.
23XI season context
The hire comes after a strong recent season for 23XI Racing, one that included two Crown Jewel wins, eight overall wins, 23 top-five finishes and 45 top-10 finishes. Those results show a team that already has speed and consistency at a high level. Bringing in Klausmeier gives 23XI another experienced hand as it tries to turn that production into even more stability across its competition group. His work will come alongside Rogers, the crew chiefs and the engineers already in place. That structure suggests a team focused on keeping its current base intact while sharpening the details behind it. Klausmeier’s background at Richard Childress Racing adds another layer of experience to a roster that is already producing at a strong clip. For 23XI, the move is less about making a splash and more about reinforcing the operation ahead of the 2027 season, when the team will ask its competition and engineering departments to keep delivering at a high level.
