Austin Hill Secures Full-Time RCR Ride

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has officially named Austin Hill as its full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver for the 2027 season, piloting the No. 33 Chevrolet. The team confirmed the decision on Monday, with Hill having served as the interim driver of the car since Kyle Busch's death. RCR renumbered its Cup entry from No. 8 to No. 33 out of respect for Busch and his family.

Hill, a 32-year-old from Winston, Georgia, expressed gratitude in a team press release. “I'm extremely thankful to Richard and everyone at RCR for believing in me and giving me this opportunity,” he said. “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.”

Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of RCR, praised Hill's progression. “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,” Childress said.

Hill's Career and Season

Hill has built an impressive resume in NASCAR's lower series. He has combined for 24 victories in 291 career starts across the Craftsman Truck Series and the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he is a 16-time winner. In the Cup Series, Hill has made 30 career starts with one top-10 finish—a ninth-place result at the 2025 Chicago Street Race.

Since taking over the No. 33 car, Hill has remained behind the wheel for the last 13 races, recording two top-20 finishes with a best run of 18th at Pocono. He is also contending for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship, currently ranking seventh in points with two wins this season.

Josh Berry's Uncertain Future

While Hill’s future is settled, Josh Berry’s remains unclear. Berry was confirmed in June that he would not return to the No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing next season, with Jesse Love set to replace him. Berry has yet to secure another Cup Series ride for 2027.

Despite the uncertainty, Berry has shown recent improvement. After a difficult start to the season—just two top-10 finishes through the first 21 races—he has matched that total in the last three weeks, including a fourth-place finish at the Iowa Corn 350. He also came off a season-best finish of third at New Hampshire, where he paced the field for 73 laps and moved up to 29th in the standings.

At New Hampshire, Berry qualified second for the Dollar Tree 301, behind 23XI Racing's Tyler Reddick. In a radio interview with PRN's Andrew Kurland, Berry said the lack of a confirmed ride for 2027 “eased his mind” in a way. “Not necessarily in finding opportunity, but if one doesn't come about, I feel I've done all I can,” he said.

Crew Chief's Support

Veteran crew chief Rodney Childers has publicly defended Berry's performance. After Berry qualified second on August 22, Childers took to social media to quote Kevin Harvick's famous line, “You can't drive a slow car fast,” which Harvick originally used in 2018 after a race at ISM Raceway near Phoenix to praise his team for giving him a strong car.

Childers used the quote to highlight that Berry never had the equipment to make a significant impact. He also noted that Wood Brothers Racing has struggled for speed in 2026, largely because Ford has struggled as a whole—with Ryan Blaney's No. 12 being the notable exception. The team's performance has been closely tied to Penske, its mechanical partner, and as Penske improved in recent races, so did Berry, according to Childers.

Looking Ahead

For Hill, the 2027 season represents a full-time opportunity he has long dreamed of. For Berry, the path forward remains open, with no confirmed ride as of now. There have been rumors of RCR considering Berry for a seat, but nothing has been announced. As Berry put it, he hopes his phone will ring.