Austin Hill driving select Cup Series races for Richard Childress Racing in 2024

Austin Hill will run in select Cup Series races for Richard Childress Racing in 2024, Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic reported Friday.

Hill, who will pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet, will make his first start in next Sunday’s AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. United Rentals will serve as the primary sponsor for the car and Keith Rodden is expected be atop the pit box as Hill’s crew chief, per Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. Justin Alexander replaced Rodden as Austin Dillon’s crew chief on Tuesday.

“United Rentals has supported me throughout all of the key moments of my racing career so far, which makes their involvement in my upcoming NASCAR Cup Series starts for Richard Childress Racing that much more special,” Hill said in a statement. “I’m happy to have another opportunity to race in the Cup Series for RCR. The amount of success that we’ve been able to accomplish together in the Xfinity Series makes me excited for this slate of races.

“It’s not going to be easy, competing against the best drivers on Sundays, but I’m thankful to Richard, everyone at RCR, and United Rentals for allowing this Cup Series schedule to come to life. Racing a Next Gen Chevrolet at a mile-and-a-half will be a new challenge, but one that I’m looking forward to.”

Austin Hill off to hot start in Xfinity Series

Hill currently sits second in the Xfinity Series points standings, having won back-to-back races at Daytona and Atlanta to open up the 2024 season. He has finished in the top-10 in all six races and recorded five top 5s.

Hill, the 2022 Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year and 2023 Regular Season champion, has previously made six starts in the Cup Series. His first came behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet for RCR at the Michigan race during the 2022 season. He made five starts in 2023 for Beard Motorsports in the No. 62 Chevrolet. Hill finished a career-best 14th in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona.

“We’re proud to represent a great brand like United Rentals, and to be a part of their efforts to help Austin achieve success at the next level,” said Torrey Galida, president of RCR. “United Rentals is a long-time supporter of our sport and they have done a superb job of using their relationship with Austin to achieve their business goals from an on-site activation and hosting standpoint.”