Richard Childress Racing announced a major addition to its lineup, confirming that Austin Hill will take the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2027. The move marks the culmination of a multi‑year effort to blend the team’s storied heritage with fresh talent.
Hill, a Georgia native, arrives after a championship‑winning season in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he captured the 2023 regular‑season title and followed it with a runner‑up finish in the 2024 Championship 4. His 16 career victories include 11 on drafting‑style tracks, a record that eclipses the previous eight‑win benchmark.
Eleven of those wins came on tracks that rely heavily on pack racing, underscoring Hill’s ability to read and influence aerodynamic battles. He also spent five seasons piloting RCR’s No. 21 in the same series, building a rapport with crew chief Mike Hill and the engineering staff.
In 2026, Hill will tackle a double‑duty schedule, competing part‑time in the Cup Series while still contending for the O’Reilly Auto Parts championship. The arrangement is designed to accelerate his Cup experience while preserving the team’s depth.
RCR has a reputation for nurturing future stars, having launched the careers of Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer. Hill joins that lineage, entering a development system that blends technical resources with mentorship from a roster that includes team owner Richard Childress.
A Legacy Reborn
Richard Childress, chairman and CEO of RCR, praised Hill’s talent, work ethic, and capacity for growth, stating that the driver embodies the next chapter of the organization’s competitive ambition.
The partnership also reflects a strategic shift toward a more diversified driver roster, one that can adapt to the evolving aerodynamic and regulatory landscape of modern NASCAR.
Looking Forward
Fans can expect Hill to bring a blend of aggressive racing and calculated strategy to the No. 33 Chevrolet, a combination that could restore the car to contender status. With the team’s technical alliance with Chevrolet and a renewed focus on data‑driven preparation, the 2027 season promises to be a pivotal year for both driver and organization.