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Statesville, NC – The NASCAR Cup Series landscape is abuzz with speculation regarding the future of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) driver Austin Hill, as strong indicators suggest he is being groomed for a full-time Cup Series ride with the storied organization beginning in the 2027 season. Hill, currently a prominent competitor in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, has been a significant presence in the No. 33 Chevrolet in the Cup Series for the remainder of the 2026 season, a role necessitated by the tragic passing of Kyle Busch. This interim opportunity has provided Hill with invaluable experience at the sport’s highest level, while he simultaneously continues his pursuit of the O’Reilly Series championship.
Since taking the wheel of the No. 33, Hill has achieved a best finish of 18th. His tenure has also seen moments of intense competition, including a notable incident where he was battling for the lead on a mid-race restart at the San Diego Street Course before encountering a mishap. Despite these early results, the 32-year-old’s performance has garnered attention from within the RCR camp, particularly from his teammate, Austin Dillon, grandson of RCR founder Richard Childress.
Dillon, a seasoned Cup Series veteran himself and the regular driver of the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet, recently offered his assessment of Hill’s capabilities. "I think he has won at every level when it comes to the Truck and O’Reilly series," Dillon stated, highlighting Hill’s proven track record in NASCAR’s developmental circuits. "He’s been able to take bad days and turn them into good days. I’ve liked watching him in the O’Reilly Series over the last couple of years, where he consistently just puts himself in position to have a shot. He’s consistent. I think that ability to take one step at a time makes him a consistent factor."
Dillon elaborated on Hill’s adaptability and strengths, particularly in specific racing disciplines. "While we were first meeting about Austin, it was like, you know, you’re always going to have a shot at road courses and speedways with him in the car. That’s a big percentage of our races. I feel like he’s a high-percentage road racer and speedway racer. And then, there are certain mile-and-a-halves and short tracks that he’s just going to get better. That’s going to take the time from the Next Gen side, just understanding the differences between an O’Reilly’s car and a Cup car when you get to these ovals. That learning curve takes a minute. But I think on speedways and road racing, he’s going to be competitive each and every time.”
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This endorsement from a respected RCR driver underscores the organization’s confidence in Hill’s potential. Hill’s career trajectory within RCR has been impressive. He currently holds a strong position, sitting fifth in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series championship standings. His success in this series is not a new development; he boasts an impressive 16 victories, all achieved while driving for RCR. Prior to his O’Reilly Series dominance, Hill also secured eight wins in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, further solidifying his reputation as a winner across multiple NASCAR national series.
The decision by RCR to renumber Busch’s car from the No. 8 to the No. 33 for Hill’s Cup Series starts signals a deliberate strategy to reserve the No. 8 for the future, with reports indicating it may be earmarked for Brexton Busch, son of Kyle Busch. This move, coupled with Hill’s ongoing performance and RCR’s investment in his development, positions him as the clear favorite to become the official full-time driver of the No. 33 car in 2027.
When directly questioned about the possibility of Hill securing a full-time Cup ride in 2027, Dillon remained diplomatic, opting not to preempt any official team announcements. "I think he’s doing a great job. You know, I’m not going to ‘Christopher Bell’ what the future is of that (meaning spoil any plans for the team). I’ll wait and let RCR make that call," Dillon remarked, using a colloquial reference to avoid revealing sensitive team strategies.
The strategic landscape for RCR’s future driver lineup further supports the notion of Hill’s impending Cup Series promotion. Notably, Jesse Love, Hill’s teammate in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series and the reigning series champion, is slated to move to the Wood Brothers Cup team for the 2027 season. This transition for Love creates a vacancy within RCR’s Cup Series operations, a slot that Hill appears ideally positioned to fill.
Richard Childress Racing, a team with a rich history of success in NASCAR, including multiple Cup Series championships, has consistently demonstrated a commitment to nurturing talent from within its own ranks. Hill’s consistent performances across different series, his adaptability to various track types, and his demonstrated ability to contend for wins align with RCR’s proven philosophy of driver development.
The coming seasons will undoubtedly provide further clarity on RCR’s long-term vision. However, the current trajectory, combined with the vocal support from within the organization and the strategic movements of other RCR-affiliated drivers, strongly suggests that Austin Hill is on a direct path to becoming a regular fixture in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027. His extensive experience in developmental series, coupled with his current Cup Series immersion, provides a solid foundation for what could be a significant chapter in both his career and the storied history of Richard Childress Racing.
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