Austin Hill has been named the official driver of the Chevrolet number 33 of Richard Childress Racing for the NASCAR Cup season of 2027. This decision comes after the tragic loss of Kyle Busch, at which point Hill took the wheel of the revamped vehicle, previously number 8, while also competing for the title of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
This 32-year-old driver will begin competing next year to score points in the NASCAR Cup, thanks to a new agreement signed with RCR to continue leading the Chevrolet number 33.
With his O’Reilly Series teammate, Jesse Love, also moving up to the Cup with the Wood Brothers, Richard Childress Racing will see a change in its driver lineup for the two cars in the NOAPS for the 2027 season.
“I am extremely grateful to Richard and the entire RCR team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity,” Hill stated. “Every race car driver dreams of competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, and having this opportunity with RCR is a privilege that I do not take for granted. I have learned a lot this year about what it takes to compete at this level, and I am excited to bring everything I have learned to this new chapter.”
On the other hand, Hill will also finish the 2026 season with number 33, where he has already achieved a top 10 in his Cup career, finishing ninth in the 2025 Chicago Street Course race. Hill joined RCR in 2022, winning in his first NOAPS race with the organization.
In the past five years, Hill has been full-time in NASCAR’s secondary category, achieving a total of 16 victories with RCR. In addition, he has eight victories in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, all with Hattori Racing Enterprises.
Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, commented: “Austin Hill is a talented race car driver, and his growth, work ethic, and successes at multiple levels of NASCAR competition have positioned him to take this step with RCR. We have watched his growth as a driver and as a person, and we are proud that he will continue this evolution with us in the NASCAR Cup Series.”
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
