Denny Hamlin Awaits Baby Arrival; Truex Ready to Drive No. 11

Denny Hamlin hopes to make history at Nashville Superspeedway by becoming just the 22nd driver to reach 700 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series. This milestone could happen during the Cracker Barrel 400 on June 1, but an important family event might change those plans.

Hamlin’s longtime partner, Jordan Fish, is expecting their third child—a boy—right around race day, putting Hamlin’s streak of consecutive Cup starts at risk.

This weekend, the No. 11 team made preparations to cover any sudden need for Hamlin to leave. The plan included having Ryan Truex ready as a backup.

Truex, from New Jersey, last drove at the Cup level 10 years ago, during a 23-race stint in 2014. His only national series start in 2025 came at Daytona International Speedway, where he finished 17th with Sam Hunt Racing.

Family is top priority for Hamlin. He said that if the call comes during the race weekend, he will not hesitate to step away from the car and be there for Fish.

Hamlin mentioned there is about an eight-hour window where he won’t be able to do both—compete in the race and stay for the birth. He is staying in Nashville on Saturday night after qualifying, instead of returning to North Carolina, to be close if the baby arrives suddenly.

Truex and Hamlin have nearly identical frames, so fitting into the No. 11 Toyota went smoothly. If needed, Truex can jump in.

In Nashville races, Hamlin has two top-10 finishes over four starts, with an average result of 10.5. He has led at least 70 laps in each of his last three visits and eyes the chance to become the first driver to win on his 700th start.

For Truex, this would be a rare opportunity. He has only one national series start at Nashville, finishing 16th in the Xfinity Series back in 2011.

Moving up to fill in for Hamlin in such a big race would mark a significant return to Cup action.

Hamlin’s streak of consecutive Cup races dates to 2014. If Fish goes into labor on Sunday, it could bring that impressive run to a pause.

The timing of the baby’s arrival remains uncertain, but Hamlin’s priorities are clear—family comes first, even in the middle of a milestone racing weekend.

If Hamlin is able to race, he will try to keep his winning momentum. With two victories already in 2025, he’s shown he can still compete at the front after nearly two decades in the Cup Series. You can also read about Lewis Hamilton’s recent comeback at Monaco to see how veteran drivers maintain their edge.

If he has to miss out, Truex stands by to keep the No. 11 car on track at Nashville Superspeedway.

For more on the latest motorsport events and updates, check out the news on the flexible wing regulations impacting racing series worldwide.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.