Denny Hamlin will not be racing at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, and that news could have big effects on the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series season. His absence comes at a time when a certain rule—one that sparked major debate last year—is back in the spotlight. Joe Gibbs Racing already has a plan in place, but the final outcome depends on something bigger. As the Mexico race draws near, questions are growing around what this moment really means for Denny Hamlin.
The Circumstances: Why Denny Hamlin Is Missing the Mexico City Race
Denny Hamlin’s decision to skip the Mexico City race is rooted in a deeply personal milestone: the birth of his third child with Jordan Fish. Hamlin announced the arrival of their son on social media, sharing that his priority is to be at home with his family as they adjust to life as a family of five.
“We are happy to announce the birth of our son. Everyone is doing well. My main priority is to be here at home for Jordan and our family over the next few days when she is able to go home and we transition to life as a family of five.” – Denny Hamlin
This marks Hamlin’s first absence from a Cup Series race since 2014, when he was sidelined due to a health issue. Since then, he has made 406 consecutive starts, a testament to his durability and commitment. The logistics of international travel further complicated the decision. With Fish still in the hospital and the family’s other two children at home, Hamlin’s presence was deemed essential during this period of transition. Traveling to Mexico would have involved significant logistical challenges, especially given the timing of the birth and the need to be available for his family.
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has fully supported Hamlin’s decision. The team announced that Ryan Truex, a reserve driver and the younger brother of 2017 Cup champion Martin Truex Jr., will substitute for Hamlin in the No. 11 Toyota. Truex, who has previous Cup experience and serves as a simulator driver for JGR, is stepping into a high-profile opportunity while Hamlin focuses on his family.
NASCAR’s Playoff Waiver Policy: How It Works and Why It Matters
NASCAR’s playoff eligibility rules are clear: drivers must attempt to compete in all 26 regular-season points races to qualify for the postseason. However, the sanctioning body recognizes that extraordinary circumstances—such as injury, illness, or significant personal events—may prevent a driver from participating. In these cases, NASCAR allows drivers to apply for a “playoff waiver,” which, if granted, preserves their eligibility for the playoffs despite missing a race.
Before the 2025 season, NASCAR updated its waiver guidelines to explicitly include the birth of a child as a valid reason for missing a race. This policy change reflects the organization’s commitment to supporting drivers’ personal lives and family priorities. “NASCAR during the offseason stated that they would allow a driver to miss a race for the birth of a child,” as reported by the Associated Press. Other outlets, including NBC Sports and USA Today, have confirmed that the birth of a child is now classified as an exemption under the Playoff Waiver System.
Joe Gibbs Racing has confirmed that it will apply for a waiver on Hamlin’s behalf. “The team confirmed on its X account it intends to apply for that waiver,” according to NASCAR.com. This step is considered a formality, given NASCAR’s stated policy, but it is required to ensure Hamlin’s playoff points and eligibility remain intact. Hamlin currently has 18 playoff points, the result of his three victories in 2025, and is third in the championship standings.
The waiver process is not automatic, but in cases where the reason for absence is clearly defined and supported by documentation, approval is all but guaranteed. This ensures that drivers who miss races for legitimate personal or medical reasons are not unfairly penalized in their pursuit of a championship.
Controversy and Precedent: The Kyle Larson Effect and the Waiver Debate
Denny Hamlin’s waiver request for missing the Mexico City race due to the birth of his son is just the latest chapter in a much larger—and increasingly heated—debate about NASCAR’s playoff eligibility rules. To fully understand the stakes, it’s crucial to look at the recent controversy surrounding Kyle Larson and the broader implications for the sport.
In 2024, Kyle Larson attempted the legendary Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 “double,” aiming to become the first driver since Kurt Busch in 2014 to complete both races on the same day. However, rain delays at Indianapolis forced Larson to remain at the Indy 500 until the event was completed, causing him to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600 entirely. Larson never turned a single lap at Charlotte, yet NASCAR ultimately granted him a playoff waiver, allowing him to retain his eligibility for the playoffs despite a clear violation of the rule requiring drivers to attempt all regular-season races.
This decision ignited a firestorm of debate. Critics argued that granting Larson a waiver set a dangerous precedent. The core of the controversy was that Larson’s absence was not due to injury, illness, or family emergency, but rather a personal choice to prioritize another racing series over NASCAR’s own marquee event.
NASCAR’s response to the Larson controversy was swift and significant. For the 2025 season, the sanctioning body overhauled its waiver policy. Under the new rules, drivers who miss a race for non-medical or non-family reasons—such as suspension or prioritizing other racing commitments—will lose all of their playoff points for the season, both those already earned and any they might earn in the future. This change, sometimes referred to as “The Kyle Larson Rule,” is designed to discourage drivers from skipping NASCAR events for reasons unrelated to health or family obligations.
News in Brief: Will Denny Hamlin Get a Waiver
Denny Hamlin’s decision to miss the Mexico City race is a reminder of the human element at the core of motorsports. While the pursuit of championships and victories is central to NASCAR, the sport also recognizes the importance of family and personal milestones. NASCAR’s updated waiver policy, which now includes the birth of a child as a valid reason for missing a race, reflects this balance.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s intention to apply for a waiver on Hamlin’s behalf is supported by NASCAR’s clear guidelines, and it is widely expected that the waiver will be granted. This ensures that Hamlin’s playoff eligibility and hard-earned points are preserved, allowing him to continue his championship campaign when he returns to the track.
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