Richard Childress Racing will add Chandler Smith and Carson Brown to their NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series team in 2027. The team announced their new driver lineup on Wednesday. Smith will drive the No. 21 Chevrolet, with Brown taking over the No. 2 Chevrolet.
The openings at both of RCR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series teams were created by two drivers moving to the Cup Series simultaneously. Jesse Love will drive the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford in 2027. RCR announced this week that Austin Hill would go full-time in the No. 33 Chevrolet.
Chandler Smith
Chandler Smith currently drives the No. 38 Ford for Front Row Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series. He has two wins and the third-place seed in the 2026 Chase field. In two O’Reilly Auto Parts Series seasons – 2023 with Kaulig Racing and 2024 with Joe Gibbs Racing – Smith has three career wins.
“I’m really thankful for this opportunity and for the people who have believed in me and helped me get to this point,” Smith said. “First and foremost, I want to give all the glory to God. He’s opened a lot of doors for me throughout my career, and I know none of this happens without Him. I’m also thankful for my family and everybody who has stood behind me through the ups and downs.”
Rumors of Chandler Smith joining RCR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series team date back to late 2024. Those rumblings gained new life in July when Front Row Motorsports announced 2026 would be Smith’s final year with the organization. By then Love’s departure was known and Hill appeared the likely candidate for RCR’s No. 33 Cup Series car.
“To get this opportunity with Richard Childress Racing means a lot to me,” Smith continued. “RCR has such a great history of taking young drivers and giving them the tools to go out there and be successful, and I’m excited to be part of that.”
Carson Brown
Compared to an established commodity in Chandler Smith, Carson Brown’s appeal is his potential. The 18-year-old has one win in the ARCA Menards Series to date. He also won the 2025 ASA STARS National Tour Rookie of the Year award. Brown recently logged back-to-back top-five finishes in the CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour for Lee Pulliam Performance.
“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at Richard Childress Racing and Whelen for believing in me,” Brown said. “This is something I’ve dreamed about for as long as I can remember, and I know how rare and special it is to be in this position. What an absolute honor to drive for Richard Childress, and to be able to represent Whelen, an American-made brand that has invested so much into motorsports over the years.”
On August 8, Brown made his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Iowa Speedway. Driving for Jordan Anderson Racing, he qualified 20th and finished 15th. He was the highest-finishing JAR driver, outpacing teammates Blaine Perkins (20th) and Jeb Burton (27th).
“I don’t take a single part of it for granted. I’m going to give everything I have and do whatever it takes to outwork, outlearn, and prepare myself every week,” Brown continued. “My goal is to work as hard as I can, continue to improve and give RCR and Whelen everything I have every time we go to the racetrack. I’m really proud to be part of this program.”
