Austin Hill, a regular in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, has stepped into the coveted Cup Series seat previously occupied by the late Kyle Busch. The move comes after Busch's tragic passing and places Hill behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.
Since assuming the ride, Hill has posted a best finish of 18th and currently sits fifth in the O'Reilly championship with 16 victories to his name, all earned with RCR. His consistency and speed have drawn early praise from fans and analysts alike.
Teammate Praise
His teammate Austin Dillon has spoken highly of Hill’s consistency, noting that the driver’s skill on road courses and speedways could translate into strong results in the premier series. Dillon emphasized Hill’s ability to perform under pressure and his potential to become a future race winner.
Hill is slated to remain behind the wheel of the No. 33 for the remainder of the 2026 season, a campaign in which he is expected to contend for wins despite a crash during a mid‑race restart at the San Diego Street Course that briefly halted his momentum.
Looking Ahead
The team has indicated that Hill is a favorite to become the full‑time driver of the No. 33 in 2027, though teammate Jesse Love is set to move to the Wood Brothers Cup team next year, leaving Hill’s future ultimately in the hands of RCR leadership.
The transition marks a significant moment for the organization and the series, as fans and analysts alike watch to see whether Hill can fill the void left by Busch’s tragic loss and help shape the next chapter of NASCAR competition.