RCR Sets 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly Lineup

WELCOME, N.C. — Richard Childress Racing named Carson Brown and Chandler Smith as its full-time drivers for its 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series lineup.

Brown, just 18 years old, will move up to NASCAR's No. 2 division to race RCR's No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet in 2027.

“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at Richard Childress Racing and Whelen for believing in me,” Brown said. “This is something I’ve dreamed about for as long as I can remember, and I know how rare and special it is to be in this position. What an absolute honor to drive for Richard Childress... I don’t take a single part of it for granted. I’m going to give everything I have and do whatever it takes to outwork, outlearn and prepare myself every week. My goal is to work as hard as I can, continue to improve and give RCR and Whelen everything I have every time we go to the racetrack. I’m really proud to be part of this program.”

Brown will succeed Jesse Love, who is moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series with Wood Brothers Racing in 2027 after three years in the No. 2 car. Brown made a name for himself in the ASA National Tour, finishing second in the points standings last year with a win and winning four times in six races this season.

That success attracted an RCR driver development deal just back in November.

This year, Brown won at Phoenix Raceway and finished no worse than third in seven of his eight ARCA Menards Series starts for Pinnacle Racing Group. In early-August, he finished 15th in his NOAPS debut at Iowa Speedway with Jordan Anderson Racing.

“Carson has continued to impress us with what he can do behind the wheel but just as importantly, he has the character and work ethic we look for in a driver representing RCR,” Richard Childress said. “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."

Childress will also welcome Chandler Smith to the organization as Brown's teammate in the No. 21 Chevrolet. RCR signed a multi-year agreement with Smith and sponsor 1-800-PACK-RAT for the No. 21 team, starting in 2027.

“I’m really thankful for this opportunity and for the people who have believed in me and helped me get to this point,” Smith said. “First and foremost, I want to give all the glory to God. He’s opened a lot of doors for me throughout my career and I know none of this happens without Him. I’m also thankful for my family and everybody who has stood behind me through the ups and downs. To get this opportunity with Richard Childress Racing means a lot to me. RCR has such a great history of taking young drivers and giving them the tools to go out there and be successful and I’m excited to be part of that."

Smith will succeed Austin Hill, who will move up to the NASCAR Cup Series with RCR as, effectively, Kyle Busch's official successor. 

This will be the 24-year-old's second NOAPS tenure. He raced in the series for Kaulig Racing in 2023 and Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024 before racing for Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2025 and 2026.

“Chandler has earned this opportunity,” Richard Childress said. “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.”

Smith has three wins in 71 NOAPS starts, nine wins in 104 NCTS starts and finishes of 17th or better in all three of his Cup Series starts.

Smith's predecessor, Hill, spent five seasons in the No. 21 car before moving up to Cup.