Richard Childress Racing Chicago Cup performance took center stage as Austin Hill captured a career-best ninth place in Sunday’s Grant Park 165, delivering a breakthrough achievement in his part-time schedule. Competing at the Chicago street course in just his twelfth NASCAR Cup Series start, Hill surged from 30th to the top 10 on the final restart, solidifying both a personal milestone and a moment of triumph for the team.
Hill’s Gritful Drive Produces Career Moment
Austin Hill’s tenacity was on display in Chicago as he piloted the No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet through late-race chaos, guided by veteran crew chief and longtime collaborator Andy Street. The Richard Childress Racing part-timer, hailing from Georgia, made the most of his limited opportunity, closely following an aggressive race strategy that showcased both his skill and composure under pressure. With his only five Cup races scheduled for the season, Hill treated this result as a victory in itself.
“With our United Rentals Chevrolet only being a partial schedule, and when I say partial, I mean it’s very partial. It’s only five races. It honestly feels like a win to me,”
Hill said post-race (1:26 onwards) —Austin Hill, Driver
This result marked Hill’s first top-10 finish at the Cup level, landing just months after Richard Childress Racing reconfirmed him for a five-race campaign in 2025. Having previously run at Darlington earlier this April, Chicago was his second outing, making this performance a standout case for further opportunities in the future.
The ambitious Cup schedule sees Hill set for appearances at Daytona on August 23, Bristol on September 13, and Talladega on October 19, following his time at Darlington and Chicago.
“Xfinity race yersteday, I finished fourth and I wasn’t happy with it. But today to finish ninth in a Cup race, it means a lot and it says a lot to this this team, to everybody back at RCR, ECR. The entire 33 team just called a great race today, we stayed out when we needed to, pitted when we needed to… It’s all I could ask for everybody on this No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet,”
he added (1:39 onwards) —Austin Hill, Driver
Hill entered the Chicago weekend seeking redemption after narrowly missing a Saturday Xfinity podium. Reenergized, he worked closely with Andy Street to make pivotal in-race calls, including staying out during Stage 1 to capture a ninth-place stage finish and seizing the Lap 30 caution to jump from 30th to 16th before the final stage. The teamwork and strategy paid off, holding strong amidst multiple cautions and upsets as he cracked the top 10.
Despite fielding full-time Cup Series offers recently, Hill has maintained loyalty to the Xfinity program, but this strong Cup result could signal a possible change, drawing attention from team owners who might be reassessing his potential in NASCAR’s top division.
Steadfast Progression from Xfinity Ranks
While Hill remains a regular in Richard Childress Racing’s No. 21 car in Xfinity, his performance in Chicago has stirred conversations about a full-time Cup seat. The 2025 race calendar marked a transition year for Hill, who, after partnering with Andy Street for three seasons in Xfinity, now competes under a new crew chief. Street’s move to lead the No. 33 Cup effort led Hill to recommend Chad Haney, a seasoned Stewart-Haas Racing figure, as his successor for the Xfinity squad.
The bond between Hill and Street yielded 10 Xfinity victories and a Final Four Playoff appearance last season, confirming Hill’s knack for elevating his team. With Haney taking over, Hill has continued to shine, especially at superspeedways—matching legends like Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt with nine career Xfinity drafting wins, underlining his growing legacy.
Hill’s adaptability has expanded beyond oval and superspeedway dominance, with the Chicago street course now a major addition to his racing profile. Speaking to Jayski about his chances for a permanent Cup seat, Hill emphasized his consistent belief in his own skills and left the decision to owners evaluating his performance:
“I would think so, but I would let the owners figure that one out and see what they think about me. I’ve always had confidence in myself that I can do this and that I can run inside the top 10 and top 15 and we proved that today.”
—Austin Hill, Driver
That confidence was validated in Chicago, where his strategic gamble and focused execution resulted in much more than a standard ninth-place finish—it symbolized a leap forward in his Cup career.
Strong 2025 Campaign Bolsters Hill’s Standing
So far in 2025, Austin Hill’s on-track results reinforce his assertive presence. With three Xfinity race wins—including two on superspeedways—he currently sits second in the regular-season standings, tied with Justin Allgaier for the most playoff points in the series. The transition to Chad Haney has kept the No. 21 Xfinity team operating at a high level, and Hill’s success suggests he could be ready for the next big step.
Richard Childress Racing Chicago Cup performance now stands as evidence for team owners, collaborators, and crew that Austin Hill’s adaptability and tenacity have begun to reshape his trajectory in NASCAR. As the season heads toward Daytona, Bristol, and Talladega, all eyes will be on whether this breakthrough leads to expanded opportunities—and perhaps a permanent Cup seat—in 2026 and beyond.
