Denny Hamlin will not compete in the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday (June 15) following the birth of his son, he announced on Thursday (June 12).
Ryan Truex, who has served as Hamlin’s standby driver the past few races, will drive the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE, making his first Cup Series start since 2014.
Hamlin said earlier in the week during a SiriusXM NASCAR Radio appearance that if his fianceé, Jordan Fish, had not given birth to their son by Thursday, that he would forgo the journey to Mexico and instead opt to remain with Fish.
While Hamlin and Fish welcomed their son, Hamlin is still electing to miss the race in Mexico City.
”We are happy to announce the birth of our son,” Hamlin said in a statement on his X account. “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.”
Hamlin posted the statement to X with the caption, “See you guys in Pocono.”
Joe Gibbs Racing has stated that it will apply for a playoff waiver in order for Hamlin to retain the playoff points he has earned up to this point in the 2025 season. Hamlin, a three-time winner this season and the most recent race winner at Michigan International Speedway, is currently third in the point standings with 18 playoff points.
Truex has made just one NASCAR national series start this season, in the season-opening Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway, where he finished 17th.
Anthony Damcott joined Frontstretch in March 2022. Currently, he is an editor and co-authors Fire on Fridays (Fridays); he is also the primary Truck Series reporter/writer and serves as an at-track reporter. He has also assisted with short track content and social media, among other duties he takes/has taken on for the site. In 2025, he became an official member of the National Motorsports Press Association. A proud West Virginia Wesleyan College alum from Akron, Ohio, Anthony is now a grad student. He is a theatre actor and fight coordinator in his free time.
You can keep up with Anthony by following @AnthonyDamcott on X.