Richard Childress Racing Makes 2027 Cup Series Driver Lineup Decision

Austin Hill will officially serve as the full-time driver of the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet during the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Hill (33) sits in his car Friday, July 24, 2026, during practice for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

It's official. Richard Childress Racing has revealed its next full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver, who will pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet during the 2027 season. On Monday, the team officially welcomed Austin Hill, who has served as the interim driver of the car since the death of Kyle Busch, as the driver who will continue building the legacy of the organization's renumbered No. 33 machine.

Hill, a rough and tumble racer from Winston, GA, expressed gratitude to Richard Childress Racing for allowing him to move forward in the NASCAR Cup Series full-time next season.

“I’m extremely thankful to Richard and everyone at RCR for believing in me and giving me this opportunity,” said Hill in a team press release. “Every race car driver dreams of competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, and to have that opportunity with RCR is something I don’t take for granted. I’ve learned so much this year about what it takes to compete at this level, and I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned during my time at RCR and apply it to this next chapter. I want to do everything I can to help this organization continue moving forward. I’m excited for what’s ahead and ready to get to work.”

The 32-year-old racer has proven to be highly effective in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he has combined for 24 victories in 291 career starts. Hill's past success, and promise he's shown in limited Cup opportunities led to RCR making the call to bring him back full-time in Cup next season.

“Austin Hill is a talented race car driver, and his continued growth, work ethic, and success across multiple levels of NASCAR competition have positioned him for his next step with RCR,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He’s put a tremendous amount of effort into his career, especially this year with everything he’s taken on. We’ve watched Austin grow as a driver and as a person, and we’re proud to have him continue that growth with RCR in the NASCAR Cup Series.”

In 30 career NASCAR Cup Series starts, Hill has made 30 starts, and he has one top-10 finish, a ninth-place result which came in the 2025 Chicago Street Race.

As Hill continues to pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet for the duration of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, he also has a championship fight in his sights in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he has won twice this season.