Richard Childress addressed the future of his NASCAR Cup Series team on Saturday in a media availability at Michigan International Speedway. The Richard Childress Racing owner said that Austin Hill would remain in the No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro for the remainder of the 2026 Cup Series season.
Hill was suddenly thrust into the Cup Series two weeks after the sudden and shocking death of Kyle Busch on May 21. He was already running a part-time schedule in the Cup Series this year, but tragic and unforeseeable circumstances prompted Childress to trust the 32-year-old with a larger workload.
What Almost Was
Starting with 2023 Kyle Busch drove full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series with RCR’s No. 8 Chevrolet. He managed to notch his final three Cup Series wins with the organization. Richard Childress said he was planning this weekend to announce a contract extension.
“We had a great conversation, talking about how he said, ‘You give me cars like you’ve gave me the last three weeks,’ he said, ‘I will make the Chase this year,’” Childress said. “I mean, we were that confident. Both of us had a lot of confidence in us.” This forward-oriented conversation took place just two days before Busch’s passing.
Three days after Busch passed away, RCR fielded his car as a rebranded No. 33 entry for the Coca-Cola 600. Hill filled in that day and the following week, and now he’ll finish out the 2026 Cup Series season at NASCAR’s highest level. Hill will also carry out his full-time commitment to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he’s currently sixth in points.
The Future of the No. 8
Another topic Childress touched on Saturday was the future of the No. 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series. As he previously promised, Childress reiterated that Busch’s No. 8 in its latest styling will remain reserved for Brexton Busch when the day comes that he might compete in the Cup Series. Kyle Busch’s 11-year-old son is already making a name for himself in grassroots racing across the country.
“He’s just a bright young man and a great race car driver and he’ll carry the Busch legacy for many years to come,” Childress said. Brexton’s racing career was one of his father’s greatest prides in the final years of his life. If he one day competes in the NASCAR Cup Series, Brexton would follow in the footsteps of his father Kyle and his uncle Kurt, both Cup champions.
