Richard Childress Racing Announces 2027 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Lineup

Richard Childress Racing has revealed its NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series driver lineup for the 2027 season. Chandler Smith will field the No. 21 Chevrolet, while Carson Brown will pilot the No. 2 Chevrolet. Both drivers will compete for a NOAPS championship on a full-time basis next year.

Smith is a three-time O'Reilly Auto Parts Series winner and a nine-time victor in the Craftsman Truck Series. He last raced in the NOAPS full-time in 2024 for Joe Gibbs Racing before moving down to the Craftsman Truck Series, where he currently competes for Front Row Motorsports.

The deal to drive for RCR is a multi-year agreement for Smith.

Brown currently competes part-time in the NOAPS for Jordan Anderson Racing. The 18-year-old is a one-time winner in the ARCA Menards Series after eight career starts.

Brown's deal, too, is part of a multi-year agreement.

Richard Childress releases statement on driver lineup

In a statement by RCR , car owner Richard Childress said Smith has earned the opportunity to drive the No. 21 car in 2027.

"He has shown throughout his career that he knows how to win, he knows how to compete and he understands what it takes to be successful at this level. We've watched him develop, and we believe he has all the tools to be a great fit at RCR. The No. 21 has a lot of history with our organization, and we're excited to put Chandler in that car and give him the opportunity to continue building his career with us," Childress said.

Childress also spoke highly of Brown , saying that it is not just what the youngster has produced on the track that has impressed the organization, but also his character and work ethic is something that the team looks forward to seeing.

"He has earned this opportunity through his performance and the way he approaches his development. Whelen has been a tremendous partner for RCR, and we're excited to have Carson represent the company and help us continue the work we've done together in support of important causes and highlight the industry-defining safety solutions that Whelen proudly builds, designs and manufactures in America," Childress said.

Richard Childress Racing's current drivers in the NOAPS

Austin Hill and Jesse Love are RCR's current drivers in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, with Hill behind the wheel of the No. 21 Chevrolet and Love in the No. 2 machine.

Hill is a 16-time winner in the series, including two victories in 2026. This week, the 32-year-old signed an agreement with RCR to pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet full-time in the Cup Series beginning in 2027. Hill has been the fill-in driver in the Cup Series for RCR in the wake of the sudden passing of Kyle Busch.

Love captured last year's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship for RCR, the organization's first series title since 2019. Next year, Love will take his talents to the Cup Series when he gets behind the wheel of the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, replacing Josh Berry.