Austin Hill is set to take the wheel of Kyle Busch’s NASCAR Cup Series entry at Nashville Superspeedway, stepping into the iconic No. 33 car after the tragic loss of the veteran driver.
A somber weekend in the garage
The weekend began with a quiet ceremony in the NASCAR garage, where the No. 33 and the No. 3 team car of Austin Dillon rolled out first, marking a moment of reflection for the sport.
Race day brought the Busch family to the track for a pre‑race tribute that featured a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes, underscoring the deep respect held for Busch within the racing community.
Hill’s car carried a black No. 8 decal beside the No. 33, a visual reminder of the number that had been retired in Busch’s honor, while the driver took the green flag with no name above the door, a poignant nod to the circumstances.
Hill’s Cup Series background
Although Hill is best known for his full‑time campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series, he has already logged 18 Cup starts, with a career‑best ninth‑place finish on the Chicago Street Course last summer, and a fourth‑place result in the Truck Series at Nashville.
In his first Cup race at the 1.33‑mile Nashville track, Hill ran the entire event one lap down and finished 27th, a respectable showing given the circumstances and his limited experience on the layout.
The effort underscores the continuity of Richard Childress Racing’s program, as the team continues to honor Busch’s legacy while giving Hill an opportunity to prove himself on a storied venue.