Rumor Mill: Are These The Top Candidates for RCR’s No. 33 in 2027?

What’s Happening?

With Jesse Love headed to Wood Brothers Racing’s No. 21 for 2027, another name is off the board of potential drivers for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33, though a new report suggests there are still a few key names in play for the team.

One of the biggest ongoing 2027 NASCAR Silly Season sagas is what will happen with Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33.

Initially, the talk surrounding this car was what the future held for the late Kyle Busch. Busch entered this season in a contract year, and fans wondered whether the future Hall of Famer would return next season.

Since Busch’s tragic and abrupt passing in May, the team has revealed that Busch planned on returning next season, which means RCR is now facing a new challenge: finding a driver to take over the former No. 8 team.

But a few key names have emerged as potential drivers for the car; during a recent YouTube video, NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic listed three to watch for RCR’s opening.

In his video reacting to former RCR prospect Jesse Love’s signing with Wood Brothers Racing, Bianchi said that the car’s current driver, Austin Hill, alongside potential free agent Noah Gragson, is a top contender for the car.

Surprisingly, Bianchi added a third driver to the mix, mentioning JR Motorsports driver Sammy Smith, adding that Smith is by far the longest shot by adding, “Not saying he’s going to end up in the 33 car next year, but somebody to keep an eye on.”

Could These Moves Actually Happen?

While each driver makes their own case, there are plenty of reasons going both for and against these three.

Austin Hill

For example, Austin Hill has a pretty good case going for him, stepping behind the wheel of the No. 33 following Busch’s passing.

In his many years with RCR in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Hill has won numerous races and proven himself a true championship contender.

Still, he has yet to secure a full-time Cup Series ride, which has perplexed many NASCAR fans and raised questions about how he would fare racing full-time at the next level.

Noah Gragson

Gragson is a far more interesting case for RCR, as, for at least the time being, Gragson is not going anywhere this Silly Season.

Most of the discussion surrounding Gragson consists of rumors and speculation based on his current performance at Front Row Motorsports, suggesting an internal discussion is ongoing about whether he will return in 2027.

Two seasons into his tenure with the team, Gragson has failed to match the stats of his 2024 Cup Series season at Stewart-Haas Racing, a season many felt was impressive enough to score him the ride at FRM.

Most, including Bianchi, are diving into Gragson’s relationship with long-time RCR sponsor Bass Pro Shops as the connection for Gragson.

Sammy Smith

Smith is a surprise addition to this discussion, and in the video, Bianchi downplays his potential to take over the No. 33.

The three-time NASCAR OAP Series race winner is in his third full-time season at JR Motorsports and his fourth in the series. Though he has faced plenty of controversy, Smith is a consistent driver with strong sponsorship.

Of course, at 22 years old, another rumor, that being the influence of the No. 33 team’s current sponsors (many of which are age-restricted products like nicotine replacers and liquor) could come into play against Smith.

This discussion stemmed from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, who suggested that these sponsors might want a combination of an of-age and older-looking driver, which may have factored into Jesse Love not taking over the No. 33. This proved true, as Love is now signed to WBR for 2027.

Though Smith does feel like a long shot to take over the No. 33, some fans have suggested online that RCR, which could be looking to fill both of its full-time NASCAR OAP Series rides next season, should pursue Smith to join them in the sport’s second-highest division.

Stay close to the on-track action this weekend and every weekend by following our Race Weekend Dashboard for everything you need to know before, during, and after the race. Share your thoughts by joining the discussion on Discord or X, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for further updates.