Who Drives Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 in 2027?

What’s Happening?

With Jesse Love on the move for 2027, one of the winningest teams in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is open, so what drivers could, or at least should, RCR consider to take over the No. 2 next season?

Lost in the shuffle of Jesse Love taking over for Josh Berry in the Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 is the news that one of the best rides in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is back up for grabs.

Since debuting in the OAP Series for Richard Childress Racing in 1999, the No. 2 car has made 747 starts with names like Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday, Jr., Clint Bowyer, Elliott Sadler, Tyler Reddick, and Jesse Love, tallying 34 wins and four driver championships for the number.

Oftentimes, the driver behind the wheel of the No. 2 propels themselves into RCR’s lineup, making it one of the true talent hot seats in the series.

Now RCR needs to do two things: first, prepare for the future, and second, find a driver for the car.

For some drivers who may be overlooked talents lacking sponsorship, there is good news when it comes to the No. 2 team, as Whelen Manufacturing, which has sponsored the car since 2022, seems committed, opening the door for RCR to look beyond those drivers who bring their own sponsorship.

So, who will drive the No. 2 in 2027, and who are some glaring options for RCR to at least consider?

Josh Berry

The past few seasons have not been kind to Josh Berry. At one point, he was the next man up at Stewart-Haas Racing, then a Cup Series winner with the Wood Brothers, and now he is once again a free agent.

While there are rumors as to where Berry could land in 2027, if the Cup Series garage fills up with him left on the sidelines, many fans have hoped he could end up back in the OAP Series.

Berry, a multi-time winner with JR Motorsports, would be a fine fit for the car, taking it back to a veteran’s spot similar to the days of Elliott Sadler when he won four races with the team in 2012.

Still, this would be a change of course from the car’s recent history as a spot to develop a driver for the Cup Series, with three of the car’s last five drivers going full-time in the Cup Series after driving the No. 2.

Parker Retzlaff

Speaking of fan favorites, Parker Retzlaff has slowly worked his way out of the ECR camp and back in with Viking Motorsports this season.

Furthermore, the Wisconsin driver is taking the team, which joined in an alliance with RCR this past offseason, to new heights this year, finding himself at the front of the field and well into the OAP Series Chase picture.

Given his incredible metamorphosis, fans are asking when Retzlaff could get the call, and given his experience, sponsorship, and age, he might be a fit for RCR beyond just a few years in the OAP Series.

Still, following a one-off start with Halmar Friesen Racing/Legacy Motor Club in the Truck Series earlier this year, fans are wondering if Retzlaff could have a future with another OEM.

Carson Brown

This past offseason, fans figured that a re-shuffling was on the way for RCR when the team signed a new developmental driver, Carson Brown.

Brown, a 17-year-old, is racing part-time with Pinnacle Racing Group in the ARCA Menards Series and the ARCA Menards Series East this season, an opportunity that he hasn’t wasted, scoring a win at Phoenix to open his season.

He turns 18 on July 13 and would be eligible for full-time OAP Series action next season, and perhaps open for some part-time starts this season.

Of course, RCR has not yet confirmed any plans surrounding the future of their No. 2 nor Brown’s development path.

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.