Richard Childress Racing is preparing for a major transition as it looks to appoint a full‑time Cup Series driver for the 2027 season following the tragic loss of Kyle Busch.
Austin Hill, who has been piloting the No.33 entry since Busch’s death, is currently the favorite to retain the seat on a permanent basis.
Although Hill’s résumé includes just one top‑10 finish in 24 Cup starts and an average finish of 28.1 positions this year, the team sees him as the most viable option given the scarcity of available talent.
A limited talent pool
The departure of Jesse Love for Wood Brothers Racing has further narrowed the pool of candidates, prompting RCR to consider younger prospects such as Carson Brown and Chandler Smith for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series seat.
Team owner Richard Childress has expressed confidence that Hill will develop into a stronger competitor as he gains more experience with the Next Gen car, hoping that additional seat time will translate into better results.
Looking ahead
The coming months will be crucial for both Hill and the organization as they navigate a reshaped driver market and aim to restore the No.33 car to its former competitiveness.