Despite the news that NASCAR is limiting multi-series driver participation at San Diego, officials will make an exception for Richard Childress Racing and its No. 33 team.
For NASCAR’s first-ever street race in San Diego next weekend, NASCAR officials have limited participation from full-time drivers in the lower National Series.
While part-time drivers can race in multiple series, drivers racing full-time must race in their regular series.
Still, this leaves one team in a tough spot, as Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Hill competes full-time in both the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Hill, who is racing in his fifth full-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, is taking on the difficult task of filling in for late driver Kyle Busch.
With Busch’s abrupt and tragic passing in late May, RCR has tabbed Hill to drive both the No. 21 in the OAP Series and the No. 33 in the Cup Series for the remainder of the 2026 season.
While he has not been given any special exceptions in his role with the No. 33 team, such as the ability to collect points or compete in the Chase, NASCAR will allow Hill to pilot the No. 33 in San Diego despite his full-time OAP Series status.
This takes a difficult decision off the plate of RCR and gives the No. 33 team the stability it needs to get through the remainder of the 2026 season with one full-time driver.
Of course, Hill won’t be the only driver competing in multiple series next weekend, as NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson is also slated to race in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Cup Series in San Diego.
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