Austin Hill to drive full-time for Richard Childress Racing in 2027

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has announced that Austin Hill will compete full-time in the No. 33 NASCAR Cup Series Chevrolet starting in 2027. Hill, 32, currently competes in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he has secured 16 combined wins and has qualified for the Chase in each of the last five seasons.

Hill stepped into the No. 33 car earlier this year following the death of Kyle Busch. While he has yet to record a top-10 finish in his Cup appearances, RCR chairman and CEO Richard Childress cited Hill’s talent, work ethic, and continued growth as the primary reasons for the long-term commitment.

Retired NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed support for the decision on ‘The Dale Jr. Download,’ addressing criticism that the team should have signed Josh Berry instead. Earnhardt Jr. noted that the decision reflects the deep relationship and trust Hill has built with the organization since 2022, suggesting that the equity invested in Hill outweighs the uncertainty of bringing in a new driver.