Ryan Truex Ready to Step In as Denny Hamlin Awaits Baby Arrival

Ryan Truex is on standby for Denny Hamlin this weekend as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Nashville Superspeedway.

Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, currently has two wins in this year’s Cup Series and is set to make his 700th career start on Sunday.

However, Hamlin’s focus may shift away from the track since he and his longtime partner, Jordan Fish, are expecting the arrival of their son. Their baby’s due date falls on June 1, which is the same day as the Nashville Cup race, making Hamlin’s availability uncertain.

The team has prepared for the situation by naming Ryan Truex as the reserve driver. Truex, the younger brother of 2017 Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., has not made a Cup Series start since 2014.

Over his career, he has started 26 races at the Cup level and spent recent seasons competing part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Since 2023, Truex has claimed three wins in the Xfinity Series but has not piloted a Cup car for nearly 11 years.

Hamlin is scheduled to start from the outside of the front row, with his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe earning pole position.

If Hamlin begins the race and Truex takes over mid-event, Hamlin will still be credited with the final result for the No. 11 car.

However, if Hamlin misses the start, Truex will get credit for the car’s finish, and the entry will be sent to the back of the grid.

New NASCAR playoff waiver rules established for 2025 have been a hot topic.

Under these guidelines, if a driver misses a race for a non-medical reason, all playoff points are lost.

However, missing a race due to the birth of a child falls under the medical exemption, so Hamlin would not lose playoff eligibility if he needs to leave Nashville for the delivery.

Hamlin’s dedication to his family is clear, even as he faces a significant career milestone and a shot at victory during what could be his 700th start.

Ryan Truex brings some experience and confidence to the backup role, even if his recent Cup participation is limited.

Most of his racing has come in the Xfinity Series, and his last Cup outing traces back to 2014.

Truex’s only previous race at Nashville in the Xfinity Series came in 2011, where he finished 16th.

As Sunday approaches, all eyes are on both Hamlin’s possible milestone start and the joyous event for his family.

Whether it is Hamlin or Truex behind the wheel of the No. 11 car, the team is prepared for each scenario as the Nashville race draws near.

The dynamics of race strategies and regulations continue to evolve, much like the discussions around flexi wing designs that have impacted racing series globally.