UPDATE 2: NASCAR has granted the waiver request for Denny Hamlin. He remains playoff eligible.
NASCAR has approved the waiver request for Denny Hamlin, so he remains playoff eligible including retaining the playoff points.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 13, 2025
UPDATE 6-12-2025: Joe Gibbs Racing announced today that Denny Hamlin will miss Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City following the birth of his son on Wednesday, June 11. The team’s designated reserve driver, Ryan Truex, will drive the No. 11 Yahoo Toyota Camry XSE in Hamlin’s absence.
“We are happy to announce the birth of our son,” Hamlin said. “Everyone is doing well. My main priority is to be here at home for Jordan and our family over the next few days when she is able to go home and we transition to life as a family of five. I appreciate everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing, our partners, and our fans for the support over the last few weeks and I look forward to being back at the track next weekend in Pocono.”
JGR supports Hamlin in his decision and will apply for a waiver to maintain his status for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Through 15 races this season, Hamlin ranks third in the overall point standings on the strength of three victories, including last Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway.
— Joe Gibbs Racing —
ORIGINAL POST 6-10-2025: In a Tuesday interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Denny Hamlin said he would stay home and miss Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City if his fiancée hasn’t delivered their baby by the time he needs to leave.
Hamlin and fiancée Jordan Fish have been on baby watch for two weeks, with three-time Xfinity Series winner Ryan Truex waiting in the wings at both Nashville Superspeedway and Michigan International Speedway in case he needed to step into the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
— NASCAR.com —