MT. PLEASANT, Mich. — Beard Motorsports has selected Austin Hill to drive its No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro in a limited NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2023.
The non-chartered, single-car team will run six races with Hill beginning with the 65th Daytona 500 on Feb. 19 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
Hill competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Richard Childress Racing and is in the midst of wrapping up an impressive rookie campaign that has seen the 28-year-old racer score two wins and make the NASCAR Playoffs.
Prior to joining RCR for his maiden Xfinity Series effort, Hill spent four full-time seasons in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, winning eight races and qualifying for the NASCAR Playoffs three times.
“From the moment I started in quarter midgets back home in Georgia, racing in the NASCAR Cup Series has always been my goal,” Hill said. “I’m incredibly grateful to Richard Childress for giving me the platform to race and win in my first season in the Xfinity Series, and for the opportunity the Beard family has provided me to run more races in Cup.”
Family has played a major role in Hill’s NASCAR ascent. The married father of three operated his own race team alongside his dad, Bryan, for years. If there’s anyone who appreciates the tight, family atmosphere of Beard Motorsports, it’s Hill.
“We’re a proud, family-run race team and these six races in 2023 are moments we’re really looking forward to,” said Amie Beard, executive vice president, Beard Motorsports. “No job is too small here at Beard Motorsports, and if anyone can appreciate that, it’s Austin. He’s raced and run his own team and been successful. It’s helped make him a really good driver and an even better person and we’re thrilled to have him as part of our team.”
After Daytona, Hill will drive the No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro April 23 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, July 2 at the Chicago Street Course, Aug. 6 at Michigan International Speedway, Aug. 26 at Daytona and Oct. 1 at Talladega.
“Austin has really seized the opportunities that he’s had in his young career,” said Mark Beard Jr., executive vice president, Beard Motorsports. “He’s won in Trucks and here he is winning in his first year in the Xfinity Series. It’s all very impressive. He brings a lot of talent and just a really strong desire to compete, and that’s a great combination for us to have at Beard Motorsports.”
The 2023 Daytona 500 will mark Beard Motorsports’ 22nd NASCAR Cup Series race and its 11th at Daytona. For Hill, it will be just his second career start in NASCAR’s premier series. Hill made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in August at Michigan, where he drove to a respectable 18th-place finish.