Austin Hill – a two-time winner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season – will take the next step in his NASCAR National Series journey, by making his NASCAR Cup Series debut in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
The full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series driver will get behind the wheel of a third entry for Richard Childress Racing, No. 33, for his maiden start at NASCAR’s top level, with sponsorship from sponsors Bennett Transportation, United Rentals, and Global Industrial.
“As a kid growing up in this sport, getting the chance to run a NASCAR Cup Series car is the ultimate dream, especially with a team like Richard Childress Racing that has so much history and success,” said Hill. “I’m so thankful that Richard Childress and everyone at RCR have so much faith in me. It will be a learning weekend, for sure, but I’ve had success at Michigan International Speedway in the past and can’t wait to take on the track’s wide, sweeping corners in a NASCAR Cup Series Chevrolet.”
The 22-year-old will compete in both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series events this weekend, at the two-mile track he claimed a victory at in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for Hattori Racing Enterprises in 2019.
Through the Xfinity Series’ 20-race schedule this season, Hill has amassed two wins, eight top-five, and 12 top-10 finishes. Prior to his newfound tenure in NASCAR’s second-tier series, Hill ran four seasons full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series, notching eight victories.
“Austin Hill has shown talent in every Series he’s raced in during his career, so I couldn’t be more excited to have him behind the wheel of a Cup Series car,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He’s having a strong season in the Xfinity Series, and I know he will be just as competitive and eager to learn behind the wheel of a Cup Series car.”
Bennett Family of Companies, a McDonough, Ga.-based company, will be the primary partner on the No. 33 Chevrolet for Hill’s Cup Series debut. Bennett made its NASCAR debut with Hill and the No. 21 Xfinity Series team in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway and partnered with RCR on the No. 3 Chevrolet and driver Austin Dillon at the Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas earlier this season.
“We are elated to be the primary sponsor for Austin Hill’s Cup Series debut, not only because of Austin’s competitive nature, but because we believe in the advancement of drivers in their careers, just like Richard Childress does,” said Lynette Mathis, Vice President of the Bennett Family of Companies. “At Bennett, truck drivers level-up their skills through increasingly challenging specialized freight opportunities throughout their careers. Our company revolves around family, and both Austin Hill and Richard Childress take that same approach to their race team. Their focus on innovation and their commitment to safety and service is second to none, and we can’t wait to cheer them along in the NASCAR Cup Series along with our 5,800+ owner/operators, agents, and employees.”
United Rentals – a long-time partner of Austin Hill’s racing efforts – will also be involved in the effort in the NASCAR Cup Series debut for Hill.
“United Rentals has been a proud supporter of Austin Hill since 2017, and we are excited to see him take this next step in his racing career,” said Craig Schmidt, Vice President, National Accounts at United Rentals. “We will be cheering him on every step of the way, while enjoying this unique opportunity to spend time with our customers.”
