Austin Hill is set to climb into the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing at the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race in Nashville, Tennessee. The move follows the tragic loss of Kyle Busch, whose fatal crash at the 2023 Daytona 500 left a void that the team is addressing with a deliberate nod to his legacy.
This will be Hill’s second consecutive start in the car, having previously finished 27th in the 2026 Coca‑Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. His performance there gave the team a baseline as they prepare for the Nashville weekend, where the atmosphere is expected to be charged with emotion.
A Legacy in Motion
The decision to switch the car’s number from 8 to 33 is more than a branding exercise; it is a calculated tribute to Busch and a promise to keep his number available for his son, Brexton, who is poised to inherit the seat in future outings.
While the long‑term future of the No. 33 remains uncertain, the organization has indicated that Hill will likely receive additional starts as the team balances competitive ambitions with its commitment to honoring Busch’s memory. The upcoming race at Nashville will therefore be more than a points‑paying event; it will be a moving ceremony that blends competition with remembrance, underscoring how deeply the sport feels the loss of one of its most vibrant competitors.