In a thrilling turn of events, NASCAR fans brace themselves for a potentially historic moment as Denny Hamlin, with two Cup wins under his belt this year, faces the imminent arrival of his first-born son. Set to make his 700th career Cup start on Sunday, Hamlin might miss the race due to the expected birth of his baby boy on the same day as the Nashville Cup race.
The seasoned driver, alongside his partner Jordan Fish, already parents to two girls, anticipates the joyous occasion on June 1st, coinciding with the crucial race day. Stepping in on standby is none other than Ryan Truex, the younger sibling of 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. Truex, known for his sporadic Cup Series appearances, last raced in the 2014 season but has since showcased his prowess by winning three Xfinity Series races since 2023 with Joe Gibbs Racing.
With Hamlin slated to begin from the front row’s outside on Sunday, the possibility of Truex taking the wheel looms large. Should the need arise for Truex to substitute mid-race, Hamlin will retain the final finishing position credits. However, if Hamlin misses the start, the car will drop to the rear, and Truex will seize the start credits. NASCAR’s revamped playoff waiver policy for 2025 includes stricter regulations, threatening to revoke all playoff points from drivers necessitating waivers for non-medical reasons. Luckily, Hamlin’s potential absence for the birth of his child falls under valid medical grounds, safeguarding his playoff standing in such a scenario.
