Hamlin to miss NASCAR Mexico race and knows | Sports News

Ryan Truex will substitute Denny Hamlin within the No. 11 Yahoo Toyota Camry XSE for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City, Joe Gibbs Racing has introduced.

Hamlin’s standing for the race was already unsure as his fiancee, Jordan Fish, was getting ready to go into labor with their third little one. To retain his eligibility for the NASCAR Playoffs while lacking a race, after racking up 18 Playoff factors up to now this season, Hamlin shall be required to file for a waiver.

Thankfully for Hamlin, waiver guidelines have been altered this season, and the beginning of a little one is listed as a permissible purpose to receive one whereas nonetheless maintaining his factors tally. “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,” JGR wrote in a assertion.

“The team’s designated reserve driver, Ryan Truex, will drive the No. 11 Yahoo Toyota Camry XSE in Hamlin’s absence.” JGR then introduced that a waiver could be filed immediately on Hamlin’s behalf.

“JGR supports Hamlin in his decision and will apply for a waiver to maintain his status for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs,” the group added. “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.”

Hamlin additionally offered an replace, confirming that he shall be back behind the wheel at Pocono Raceway on June 22. “We are happy to announce the birth of our son,” Hamlin mentioned. “Everyone is doing well.

“My predominant precedence is to be right here at home for Jordan and our household over the following few days when she is in a position to go home and we transition to life as a household of 5. I admire everybody at Joe Gibbs Racing, our companions, and our followers for the assist over the previous few weeks and I look ahead to being back on the monitor subsequent weekend in Pocono.”

Hamlin made it clear ahead of Sunday’s race that he would only travel to Mexico if Fish had already gone into labor. While she successfully delivered their son on Wednesday, it was too close to the weekend and Truex was drafted in.

In an appearance on NASCAR SiriusXM Radio, Hamlin said: “I mentioned from the very starting, if she hasn’t had it by the time I need to go away for Mexico, then I’m not going to go to Mexico. I believe that that’s the correct factor to do.

“But really, just letting her call the shots. I think that’s the best thing. When her body and her mind says that it’s time, then that’s what we’ll do.

“And in the end, I need to be there for her, during, post-(beginning) and all these issues. Just going to make sure I spend the correct time along with her, and clearly the racing will come second this week.”

Hamlin is at the moment third within the drivers’ standings, and has claimed three wins this season at Michigan, Martinsville, and Darlington. Hamlin is tied with Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell for probably the most wins this season, and his seven finishes within the high 5 are additionally second most within the sequence, behind solely Larson.