[REVISION HISTORY]

Austin Hill NASCAR contract status

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-25 02:41 UTC → 2026-08-27 03:15 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has officially announced that Austin Hill will drive the No. 33 Chevrolet full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2027. This follows earlier uncertainty regarding Hill’s position and RCR’s evaluation of other candidates. Hill, who has been with RCR since 2022, will transition to the Cup Series after completing his 2026 commitments in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. He has recently been driving the No. 33 in select Cup races, a role he assumed following the sudden passing of Kyle Busch on May 21. RCR renumbered the entry from No. 8 to No. 33 as a sign of respect for Busch and his family. During his tenure with RCR, Hill has secured 16 race wins and the 2023 regular season championship in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. While Hill has ~~described the opportunity~~ yet to ~~compete full-time~~ record a top-10 finish in ~~the~~ his recent Cup ~~Series as a “lifelong dream,” while~~ appearances, RCR Chairman and CEO Richard Childress cited Hill’s talent, work ethic, and growth as the reasons for the promotion. Following the announcement, 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, suggesting that the equity invested in Hill outweighs the uncertainty of bringing in a new driver.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.