Austin Hill Set for Expanded 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Campaign with Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing confirms Austin Hill for an expanded 10-race NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2026. See which tracks the Xfinity star will tackle.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 26, 2026, 7:44 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Motorsport.com

Bridging the Gap to the Premier Class

Austin Hill has established himself as one of the most formidable competitors in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, particularly on drafting tracks. As he enters the 2026 season, Richard Childress Racing has signaled its long-term commitment to his development by providing a clear pathway to the Cup Series. The team confirmed that Hill will pilot a third, part-time Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in at least 10 events this year. This expanded program is designed to prepare Hill for an eventual full-time promotion, testing his ability to adapt to the high-downforce, high-stakes environment of the Next Gen car against the world’s best stock car drivers.

Strategic Selection of Tracks

The 2026 schedule for Hill has been meticulously curated to play to his strengths while challenging his versatility. While the full list of races has not been finalized, RCR indicated that the program will feature a heavy emphasis on superspeedways—where Hill has traditionally excelled—as well as several high-profile 1.5-mile intermediate tracks. By competing at venues like Daytona, Talladega, and Charlotte, Hill will have the opportunity to showcase his drafting prowess and race craft in a field that requires extreme precision and strategic patience.

Balancing Two Championships

One of the primary challenges for Hill in 2026 will be the logistical and physical demand of competing in two national series simultaneously. Hill remains RCR’s lead driver in the Xfinity Series, where he is a perennial title favorite. Team owner Richard Childress emphasized that Hill’s Cup Series outings are intended to complement, not distract from, his Xfinity campaign. "Austin has proven he can win at any level," Childress remarked. "This partial Cup schedule is the next logical step in his career, giving him the seat time he needs to be ready for a full-time run in 2027."