Richard Childress Racing's Leading Candidate for No. 33 Car Revealed

A Team in Mourning

The NASCAR community was dealt a devastating blow in May 2026 when two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch died at the age of 41. The sudden passing of the 234-time NASCAR winner sent shockwaves through the sport and left Richard Childress Racing scrambling to fill the void.

In the wake of the tragedy, RCR decided to retire Busch's iconic stylized No. 8, replacing it with the No. 33 . The team announced that the No. 8 would be "reserved and ready" for Busch's 11-year-old son, Brexton, when he is ready to race in NASCAR. It was a classy, unprecedented move that echoed the team's decision to retire Dale Earnhardt's No. 3 following his fatal crash in 2001 .

Stepping into the No. 33 car was Austin Hill, a 32-year-old driver who had been competing full-time in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series for RCR over the past five seasons . It was an unenviable task replacing one of the sport's most decorated drivers under the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

Austin Hill's Performance Under Pressure

Hill has been thrust into the national spotlight, tasked with piloting the renumbered No. 33 Chevrolet in the Cup Series . He has responded to the challenge with a level of resilience and competitiveness that has caught the attention of both team owner Richard Childress and the wider NASCAR community.

Despite the immense pressure, Hill's performances have been notable. He qualified in 12th place at Sonoma Raceway, outpacing his teammate Austin Dillon by nearly 20 spots on the starting grid. He also demonstrated his capabilities with strong runs on drafting tracks, showing the speed to compete at the front.

Just weeks after stepping into the Cup car, Hill gave RCR a reason to celebrate. Driving his No. 21 Chevrolet in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, he won the United Rentals 250 at Naval Base Coronado RCR's first win since Busch's death. It was an emotional victory. Hill drove his car over to a spot on the military base where Busch's stylized No. 8 was printed and performed a burnout next to it .

"Hell yeah man," one of Hill's crew members said on the radio. "Good doing it on the logo. KB would be proud" .

In victory lane, an emotional Hill swapped his sponsor's hat for one with Busch's No. 8 and dedicated the win to the entire RCR organization . Team owner Richard Childress was visibly moved, his voice cracking with emotion.

That win, and Hill's overall performance, made a strong case for his future with the organization.

A Limited Pool of Candidates

The 2027 silly season has left Richard Childress Racing with limited options for the No. 33 car . Jesse Love, RCR's top development driver and the 2025 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, signed a deal to drive the iconic No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing in 2027. Love's departure removes what would have been the most obvious internal candidate to replace Busch .

Meanwhile, other potential drivers have been locked into their current rides. Both RFK Racing and Front Row Motorsports have announced their Cup Series drivers will all be returning for the 2027 season, leaving few opportunities for RCR to look outside its organization .

This leaves Hill as the only Richard Childress Racing driver in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series who can fill the seat .

The Insider's Verdict

According to FOX Sports insider Bob Pockrass, Hill appears to be the leading candidate to drive the No. 33 car for RCR during the 2027 season.

Other factors are workin in Hill's favor as well. The No. 33 car's future may depend on sponsorship from brands associated with alcohol, THC, and nicotine pouches . These companies typically require a driver who does not appear underage often mandating that the driver be at least 25 years old . At 32 years old, Hill fits this criterion perfectly .

His strong ties to RCR and his close relationship with the team make the decision a logical one . He has already proven he can be competitive at the Cup level under the most trying of circumstances. He is an O'Reilly Series veteran who has demonstrated loyalty and performance for the organization.

The Path Forward

While an official announcement has not yet been made, all signs point to Hill securing the No. 33 car for the 2027 season . If that happens, it would open a seat in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series with RCR . It has been reported that prospect Carson Brown is likely the driver to replace Hill in the No. 21 O'Reilly car next season . The 18-year-old is set to make his OARS debut this weekend at Iowa Speedway .

Replacing Kyle Busch is an impossible task. No one can carry that legacy forward the way he did. But Austin Hill has earned the opportunity to drive the No. 33 car full-time in 2027. He has performed well under difficult circumstances, shown the speed to compete with the best, and demonstrated the leadership and resilience required to carry on RCR's storied legacy .

In a season marked by tragedy, Hill has provided moments of hope and celebration. The circus of NASCAR keeps moving, but in Welcome, North Carolina, the memory of Kyle Busch endures, and Austin Hill is leading the charge into the future.