Richard Childress Racing Retains Austin Hill for 2027 NASCAR Season

Richard Childress Racing officially decided this week to keep driver Austin Hill in its NASCAR Cup Series lineup for the 2027 season, underscoring ongoing roster challenges facing the organization following the passing of Kyle Busch in May 2026.

The decision keeps Hill in the No. 8-turned-No. 33 Chevrolet through next year. Hill has been affiliated with the team since 2022, competing primarily in the lower-tier series while making selective appearances in the Cup Series.

The driver move comes as the organization struggles to attract top-tier free agents compared to previous years. The team had experienced competitive declines prior to Busch's death, with Busch failing to reach the playoffs in 2024 and 2025.

Teammate Austin Dillon has recorded just two top-five finishes in non-dirt events since late 2022, both occurring during victories at Richmond Raceway. In the current standings, the organization's entries sit 26th and 32nd in owner points, trailing several single-car and independent operations.