Richard Childress Racing has announced its full-time 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series lineup, signing Chandler Smith to a multi-year deal and promoting 18-year-old development driver Carson Brown to a full-time ride.
Last updated: August 27, 2026
Richard Childress Racing (RCR) confirmed on August 26 that Chandler Smith will join the team full-time for the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, driving the No. 21 Chevrolet with sponsorship from 1-800-PACK-RAT. The announcement also elevated Carson Brown, an 18-year-old RCR development driver backed by Whelen Engineering, to a full-time seat. The moves reshape the team’s second-tier program as Austin Hill advances to the Cup Series.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chandler Smith role | Full-time driver, No. 21 Chevrolet, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, multi-year |
| Sponsor for No. 21 | 1-800-PACK-RAT |
| Carson Brown role | Full-time debut, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Whelen Engineering backing |
| Announcement date | August 26, 2026 |
| Lineup change context | Austin Hill moves to the Cup Series; seats open in the team’s O’Reilly program |
Chandler Smith moves to the No. 21
Chandler Smith brings race-winning experience to the RCR program. The agreement is a multi-year commitment, positioning Smith as a cornerstone of the team’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series effort going forward. The No. 21 Chevrolet will carry 1-800-PACK-RAT as its primary sponsor.
Carson Brown steps up from development program
Carson Brown, who has developed through RCR’s driver-development pipeline at age 18, earned a full-time ride with Whelen Engineering supporting the effort. The promotion continues RCR’s pattern of advancing homegrown talent from its junior program into full-season competition.
Why the lineup is changing
The 2027 shakeup follows movement across the organization as Austin Hill transitions to the Cup Series. That shift opened seats in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series program, which RCR filled with Smith and Brown rather than re-signing the previous year’s pair. Team officials framed the new roster as a blend of veteran experience and young development depth.
Watch: reaction to the RCR announcement
The video below covers the breaking news of Chandler Smith’s move to RCR for 2027 and the team’s revamped lineup. It expands on how the seats opened and what the changes mean for next season.
Analysts have also weighed in on the bigger picture of the team’s driver decisions for 2027. The commentary below discusses the reasoning behind the changes across RCR’s lineup.
Confirmed vs speculation
| Confirmed | Not confirmed / speculation |
|---|---|
| Chandler Smith signed full-time for 2027 in the No. 21 (official RCR announcement) | Exact contract length, guaranteed race count, and pay details |
| Carson Brown to compete full-time with Whelen Engineering | Full 2027 partner roster and additional sponsor lineup |
| Austin Hill moving to the Cup Series | Long-term stability of the new lineup beyond 2027 |
| 1-800-PACK-RAT backs the No. 21 Chevrolet | Role of each driver beyond the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series |
This story is based on RCR’s official announcement and corroborating coverage. Specific contract figures, sponsor packages beyond those named, and long-term plans were not disclosed in the announcement and should not be treated as fact.
FAQ
Q: What team did Chandler Smith sign with?
A: Chandler Smith signed with Richard Childress Racing to drive the No. 21 Chevrolet full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for 2027.
Q: Who is sponsoring the No. 21 Chevrolet?
A: 1-800-PACK-RAT will back the No. 21 Chevrolet in 2027.
Q: Who else is joining the RCR O’Reilly program?
A: Carson Brown, an 18-year-old RCR development driver, will race full-time with Whelen Engineering supporting his effort.
Q: Why are these seats open?
A: The openings follow organizational movement, including Austin Hill transitioning to the Cup Series for 2027.
Q: Is Chandler Smith’s deal a multi-year agreement?
A: Yes. RCR announced the move as a multi-year agreement.
Q: When does the 2027 season begin?
A: The 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season is expected to get underway in early 2027, in line with the series’ usual schedule.
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Sources
Richard Childress Racing press release; NASCAR.com; Autoweek; On3; Motor Racing Network.
