Denny Hamlin balancing NASCAR racing and fatherhood is taking center stage this week as the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran gears up for the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway while anticipating the birth of his third child. As the NASCAR calendar intensifies, Hamlin manages professional and family commitments with characteristic determination and energy.
After competing in the recent All-Star event, Hamlin returned to the “Actions Detrimental” studio to discuss his demanding week with co-host Jared Allen, highlighting the overlapping pressures from both his racing career and family life. The 44-year-old, a top contender on the track and co-owner of 23XI Racing, is navigating one of his busiest times of the year as NASCAR arrives at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the season’s longest race.
Hamlin’s calendar this week includes not only race preparations but also the finals of his own Hoop Group basketball league. Launched in 2016 as a way to mix competition with fun away from motorsports, Hoop Group comprises five teams featuring a number of notable drivers and personalities such as Austin Dillon from Richard Childress Racing, Ty Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Michael Waltrip, and Hamlin’s 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace. The league offers Hamlin a break from the racing circuit, while satisfying his passion for basketball and camaraderie.
This week’s Hoop Group finals will see Hamlin’s team taking on the Outlaws, led by Michael Ransom. As he outlined his jam-packed itinerary on the podcast, Hamlin described the week as exceptionally busy. When Allen asked how he manages to juggle the high-pressure race with the basketball championship, Hamlin candidly replied,
The biggest personal milestone lies just ahead for Hamlin: the imminent arrival of a new baby. He shared,
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin and his longtime partner, Jordan Fish, are preparing to welcome their third child in June. The couple, who already have two daughters, Taylor and Molly, announced earlier this month that they are expecting a baby boy, sharing the news with fans via a cheerful Instagram gender reveal. Their twelve-year-old daughter Taylor is particularly excited about having a baby brother, aware that her younger sister Molly will no longer be the family’s youngest member. Molly is eager as well, looking forward to caring for the soon-to-arrive sibling.
The veteran driver’s ability to handle the demands of championship racing, team ownership, and fatherhood demonstrates his resilience and adaptability. With the Coca-Cola 600 on the horizon and a new baby on the way, Hamlin’s week highlights both the pressures and the rewards of balancing professional ambition with family priorities. As the motorsports community watches how he manages these overlapping milestones, Hamlin’s story resonates with fans who see in him both a relentless competitor and a devoted father.
