Austin Hill is staying put in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for 2026, confirming a return to Richard Childress Racing and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet on Friday.
Hill, a 14-time race-winner in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, will be returning to the championship-winning team owned by Richard Childress for a fifth consecutive season. In the process, the Winston, Georgia-native will look to defend the championship crown brought to RCR by teammate Jesse Love (who will also return to the series in 2026).
Bennett Transportation & Logistics will once again be returning as a major partner for the No. 21 Chevrolet in 2026, with the designation of anchor primary sponsor. The company has served as a long-time sponsor of both Hill and RCR.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Richard Childress Racing and Austin Hill in 2026,” said Lynette Mathis, vice president of the Bennett Family of Companies. “Bennett customers, drivers, agents, and employees continue to find value in the relationship. We love watching the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet on the track and seeing the sense of community it creates within our company. Our partnership with RCR and Austin Hill continues to reflect the teamwork, performance, and professionalism that define success in both racing and transportation and complex logistics.”
Headquartered in McDonough, Georgia, Bennett Family of Companies provides innovative logistics and transportation services for companies across America. Bennett offers a suite of trucking and specialized logistic services, from flatbed and step deck trucking and manufacturered houseing transport to RV delivery, customs brokerage, and warehousing.
Since launching the partnership in conjunction with Hill’s rookie campaign at Richard Childress Racing in 2022, the Bennett brand has seen steady growth by utilizing their partnership to strengthen customer relationships, highlight core values, emphasize its culture of safety, recruit drivers, and develop new business opportunities.
“The Bennett Family of Companies’ long-standing partnership with Richard Childress Racing is a testament to our shared core values, and we are thrilled to welcome them back to the No. 21 team for their fifth consecutive year of partnership,” said Mike Verlander, president of RCR. “Bennett has done an exceptional job integrating our racing program into their broader business strategy. We look forward to continuing the momentum we have built over the last four years.”
During his tenure at Richard Childress Racing, Hill has been exceptional at drafting-style tracks, surpassing records set by NASCAR Hall of Fame drivers Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart for the number of superspeedway victories in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
“We’ve built something special both on and off the track with Bennett Transportation and Logistics,” said Hill. “Thank you to Marcia, Lynette, and everyone at Bennett Family of Companies for their partnership and friendship over the years. It means a lot to have their support, as well as the support of Richard Childress, Danny Lawrence, and everyone at Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines as I continue to grow in my career.”
The 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign will begin with the United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway. Coverage of the event will be on Saturday, February 14 at 5:00 PM ET on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
