What Happened to Richard Childress Racing (RCR)?
Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is one of NASCAR's most storied teams, founded in 1969 by Richard Childress. After achieving legendary status with Dale Earnhardt Sr. in the 1980s and 90s, securing six Cup Series championships, the team has continued to compete across NASCAR's top series. In 2026, RCR faced a profound loss with the death of driver Kyle Busch, leading to significant driver lineup changes and a renewed focus on developing young talent for the future.
Quick Answer
Richard Childress Racing (RCR) continues to be a prominent organization in NASCAR, fielding teams in both the Cup Series and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. The team experienced a major shift in May 2026 with the tragic death of two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch. Following this, Austin Hill was moved to the No. 33 Cup Series car for the remainder of 2026 and will drive it full-time in 2027, while RCR announced new development drivers Chandler Smith and Carson Brown for its O'Reilly Auto Parts Series program in 2027, signaling a strategic focus on its next generation of talent.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Richard Childress Founds RCR
Richard Childress establishes Richard Childress Racing, initially competing as a driver-owner in NASCAR.
First NASCAR Cup Series Win
Ricky Rudd secures RCR's first-ever NASCAR Cup Series victory at Riverside International Raceway.
First Cup Series Championship with Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. delivers RCR's first NASCAR Cup Series championship, marking the beginning of a dominant era.
First Craftsman Truck Series Championship
Mike Skinner wins the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship, making RCR a champion in a new series.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. Wins Daytona 500
Dale Earnhardt Sr. famously wins the Daytona 500, a long-sought victory for 'The Intimidator' and RCR.
Tragic Death of Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. dies in a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500, a devastating loss for RCR and NASCAR. Kevin Harvick is promoted to the Cup Series to drive the renumbered No. 29 car.
Austin Dillon Wins Daytona 500
Austin Dillon, Richard Childress's grandson, wins the Daytona 500 in the iconic No. 3 car, bringing the number back to Victory Lane at Daytona.
Kyle Busch Signs with RCR
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch announces he will join Richard Childress Racing to drive the No. 8 Chevrolet starting in the 2023 season.
Kyle Busch Contract Extended Through 2026
RCR announces it has picked up the option on Kyle Busch's contract, extending his tenure with the team through the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Competition Leadership Restructure
RCR announces key competition leadership appointments, including Mike Dillon as COO, John Klausmeier as Technical Director, and Andy Street as Performance Director, aiming to boost performance.
Tragic Death of Kyle Busch
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch dies at age 41 due to a severe case of bacterial pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.
Austin Hill Takes Over No. 33 Cup Car
Richard Childress announces Austin Hill will drive the No. 33 Chevrolet (renumbered from No. 8 to preserve Busch's legacy) for the remainder of the 2026 Cup Series season.
Austin Hill to Full-Time Cup in 2027
RCR announces Austin Hill will drive the No. 33 Chevrolet full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series starting in the 2027 season.
New O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Drivers for 2027
RCR announces Chandler Smith and Carson Brown will compete full-time in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2027, with Smith in the No. 21 and Brown in the No. 2 Chevrolet.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Richard Childress Racing (RCR) was founded in 1969 by Richard Childress, who initially competed as a driver-owner. The team's trajectory changed dramatically when Dale Earnhardt Sr. joined in 1984, forming one of NASCAR's most dominant partnerships. Together, they secured six NASCAR Cup Series championships between 1986 and 1994, cementing RCR's legacy as a powerhouse in the sport.
Following Earnhardt's tragic death in the 2001 Daytona 500, RCR faced a monumental challenge. Kevin Harvick stepped into the renumbered No. 29 car and delivered a win in only his third start, providing a crucial turning point for the organization. RCR continued to expand, becoming the first team in NASCAR history to win championships across all three national touring series (Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series). Notable successes in the 2010s included Austin Dillon, Childress's grandson, winning the 2011 Truck Series and 2013 Xfinity Series championships, and later the 2018 Daytona 500 in the iconic No. 3 car.
The team made a significant move in 2022 by signing two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch to drive the No. 8 Chevrolet, a partnership that brought three Cup Series wins in 2023. However, the 2024 and 2025 seasons saw RCR, and particularly Busch, struggle for consistent performance, with Busch experiencing a prolonged winless streak. Austin Dillon, while securing back-to-back wins at Richmond Raceway in 2024 and 2025, also faced challenges in making deep playoff runs.
In January 2026, RCR announced a significant restructuring of its competition leadership, with Mike Dillon named Chief Operating Officer, John Klausmeier as Technical Director, and Andy Street as Performance Director, aiming to improve on-track results. The team's 2026 season was then profoundly impacted by the unexpected death of Kyle Busch on May 21, 2026, due to bacterial pneumonia. In the wake of this tragedy, RCR announced that Austin Hill, a successful O'Reilly Auto Parts Series driver for the team, would take over the No. 33 Chevrolet (renumbered from No. 8 to honor Busch) for the remainder of the 2026 Cup Series season.
As of August 2026, RCR is actively shaping its future driver lineup. Austin Hill has been confirmed to drive the No. 33 Chevrolet full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series starting in 2027. Furthermore, RCR announced that development drivers Chandler Smith and Carson Brown will compete full-time in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2027, with Smith in the No. 21 and Brown in the No. 2 Chevrolet. These moves underscore RCR's commitment to nurturing talent and rebuilding for sustained success in NASCAR's top tiers.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Richard Childress Racing (RCR) made different choices?