Denny Hamlin, the seasoned NASCAR driver, is gearing up to become a father for the third time. His excitement is palpable, but it may lead to him missing this Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway. The reason being his fiancée, Jordan Fish, is due on June 1, the same day as the Cracker Barrel 400 race.
In an interview with Dustin along on Saturday, Hamlin expressed his dilemma, stating, “I can’t miss it. I certainly got to be there for her and that’s obviously the biggest priority. I just wish she would hang on a little bit longer.” This would have been a significant race for Hamlin as it would mark his 700th career Cup start, making him the 22nd driver in series history to achieve this milestone. However, if he does miss the race, Ryan Truex will step in as the reserve driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Additionally, Hamlin will also be skipping a tire test scheduled for next week, with Chase Briscoe taking his place in the No. 11 Camry. Currently, Hamlin holds the sixth position in the championship standings with 390 points, while Briscoe is in 11th place with 314 points.
According to NASCAR regulations, a driver must participate in all regular-season races to qualify for the postseason. However, waivers can be granted for medical reasons. As fans gear up for the 14th race of the season, which will stream live on Amazon Prime Video at 7 pm ET, they can also catch exclusive radio updates on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
On another note, Corey Heim, a development driver for 23XI Racing, owned by Denny Hamlin, recently reflected on the influence Hamlin has had on his career. Heim, who considers Hamlin his idol, expressed his gratitude for having him as a supporter, stating, “Never knowing if I would make it to this level. But here I am and I’ve got him as one of my best supporters so far.” Heim, a promising talent, has already secured 12 Xfinity Series victories and made his mark in the Cup Series with three starts, one of which was with 23XI at Nashville last year.
As the NASCAR season progresses, fans can expect more thrilling races and inspiring stories from drivers like Denny Hamlin and Corey Heim. Stay tuned for more updates and action-packed moments on the track.
