Dale Earnhardt Jr. led JR Motorsports as a powerhouse in the NASCAR Xfinity series. The 2024 season in particular was a huge success for the team as they bagged their fourth championship win after a five-year gap. As if the JRM fans didn’t have enough reasons to happiness, the team announced that they would make their Cup Series debut at the Daytona 500. Driving the No. 40 JRM Chevy was reigning Xfinity champ Justin Allgaier. He made a blistering start and finished ninth on the team’s debut. Since then, there have been very vocal demands for Dale Jr. to join the Cup series permanently.

While that might unfold in the future, one of Dale Jr.’s prodigies made his cup debut this season. JR Motorsports’ new signing, driver Connor Zilisch made a ‘noisy’ debut for Trackhouse racing at COTA. The 18-year-old driver made headlines when he revealed his aim to become the youngest Cup race winner. But, the story didn’t pan out as JRM and the young driver hoped it would.

On Lap 50, his race came to an abrupt halt when teammate Daniel Suarez collected him in a crash. While his Cup debut was short-lived, he earned respect for his talent and determination. But as Zilisch continued to make waves, another driver was quietly waiting for his shot at the biggest stage. And as the Cup series heads to Martinsville, Richard Childress is promoting his trusted Xfinity driver.

Austin Hill looking at the bigger picture with his return to the Cup Series

After Connor Zilisch’s highly anticipated Cup series debut, another rising star is getting a chance to prove himself. Richard Childress Racing has officially announced that Austin Hill will run a partial schedule in the NASCAR Cup Series this year. Hill, who has been a dominant force in the Xfinity Series, will drive RCR’s No. 33 Chevrolet in five Cup races this season.

In his Xfinity career Hill has clinched 11 wins for RCR, including his latest victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The 30-year-old has been knocking on the door of the Cup Series for some time, and now, he will get a legitimate opportunity to prove himself at the top level. His five-race schedule will begin at Darlington Raceway on April 6 and will also include races at Chicago, Daytona, Bristol, and Talladega.

For Hill, this is the next step in a journey that has been built on hard work and steady progress. “I’m excited to compete in the No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet again this year. I’ve enjoyed my starts in the Cup Series so far and the goal is to keep learning every time I climb into the car. We have been strategic in adding new tracks to the lineup each season, which allows me to gain valuable experience. Racing for Richard at any level is an honour, but especially in the Cup Series. The focus remains on winning the Xfinity Series championship in November, but any laps in the Cup car are important for the future,” Hill stated in a press release.

Hill’s confidence isn’t misplaced. In the ongoing Xfinity Series season, he has already finished in the top five in four of six races. He also clinched a blistering win in Atlanta. Notably, his only setbacks were at Daytona and Phoenix, where he finished outside the top 30. Additionally, in his limited Cup Series experience, Hill has made 10 starts, with his best finish being 14th at Daytona in 2023.

While his average Cup finish of 27.5 isn’t eye-catching, his dominance in Xfinity suggests that he has the potential to be a long-term success in the Cup Series. RCR has also ensured that Hill will have the right people around him. Andy Street, who has worked with Hill in Xfinity, will be making his Cup Series debut as a crew chief. Street has 11 Xfinity wins under his belt, 10 of which have come with Hill behind the wheel. Having familiar leadership on the pit box could be a crucial factor in Hill’s transition to the Cup level.

For Hill, this is more than just a five-race audition. If he performs well, he could be in line for a full-time Cup Series ride in the near future. With Richard Childress Racing looking to secure its next big star, Hill’s performances in 2025 will be under close watch. But RCR’s bold move comes at a time when the team is also dealing with significant challenges.

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Is RCR looking beyond Kyle Busch?

Richard Childress Racing is taking a big gamble with Austin Hill. The move signals a potential shift in the team’s long-term vision, especially with Kyle Busch facing setbacks. When Busch joined RCR in 2023, expectations were high. But two years later, he has yet to find consistent success with the organization. His 64-race winless streak continues as the 2025 season has been filled with frustration. Another important note here is that Rowdy Busch is in the contract year with RCR, so this move adds to the intrigue and speculation.

At Homestead-Miami, Busch struggled from start to finish. He qualified 22nd and never contended for a top-10 spot. Crew chief Randall Burnett missed the setup, leaving Busch to fight just to stay on the lead lap. He ultimately finished 32nd, far from where a two-time Cup champion expects to be. Busch acknowledged the difficulties but remained positive about his team’s effort.

“Certainly, wasn’t the day we were looking for with our Bank OZK Chevrolet. We definitely missed the setup. Randall and the guys kept working on it with every stop, and we were way better at the end. Appreciate the effort they put into it. We never gave up. We’ll keep working on it,” he said after the race. Despite his optimism, the results paint a troubling picture. The No. 8 team has been competitive in stretches but hasn’t been able to finish races strong. Meanwhile, Hill’s rise in Xfinity and his new Cup opportunity suggests that RCR might be preparing for the future.