Denny Hamlin, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, recently welcomed his first son and shared the heartfelt origins of the baby’s name, connecting it directly to the major influences in his racing career. As Denny Hamlin chooses son Jameson Drew name origin, he pays tribute to figures who have shaped both his family and his time in NASCAR, making the announcement as he returns to the track after missing the Mexico City event.
Hamlin and his fiancée, Jordan Fish, celebrated the arrival of their son, Jameson Drew Hamlin, on June 11, 2025. Over their 15-year relationship, the couple already has two daughters, Taylor and Molly. After overcoming a difficult period in 2021, Hamlin and Fish reunited and shared engagement news in early 2024. The announcement about their son’s name came during a pre-race interview as Hamlin prepared for his return at Pocono Raceway.
When discussing why they chose the name Jameson Drew, Hamlin explained he wanted to honor the people who propelled him throughout his NASCAR journey.
“The name—um—obviously I’m James, so that’s James’ son, Jameson. And so, and Drew—we wanted to keep JD because, obviously, JD Gibbs is a big, big part of my getting here to the Cup Series. James Dean was the car owner I drove for in late models that got me the equipment to win all those races to get seen by JD. I’m JD, and so we’re just keeping it going.” —Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
This tribute connects his own first name, James, with “Jameson” meaning ‘James’s son.’ The name Drew stands for “JD,” a direct nod to JD Gibbs and James Dean, who both played pivotal roles at different stages in Hamlin’s climb from local racing circuits to the national scene. The reference highlights how Hamlin sees his success as a continuity of support and mentorship stretching across generations.
Hamlin Returns to Competition with High Hopes at Pocono
After missing the Mexico City race because of his son‘s birth, Hamlin is set to compete in The Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VISITPA.COM, returning as the oldest regular driver on the grid. He made headlines by clinching the pole position at Pocono Raceway, clocking a speedy 52.144 seconds and outperforming Chris Buescher by 0.083 seconds during qualifying. The 160-lap showdown is scheduled for June 22, 2025, placing Hamlin back at the center of NASCAR action.
Over his career, Hamlin has steadily established himself as a leading name in stock car racing. The #11 Toyota Camry XSE driver has already earned 57 Cup Series wins and now chases his 58th victory. His relentless drive remains a recurring theme, emphasized by his continual pursuit of top finishes and milestone achievements.
NASCAR Playoff Waiver Keeps Championship Hopes Alive
Though the Stock Car Racing Association requires drivers to enter every race to qualify for the playoffs, NASCAR granted Hamlin a playoff waiver for missing the Mexico City event, citing medical necessity surrounding the birth. This allowed him to retain his championship eligibility and continue his record of consecutive races, with the Mexico City event marking his first absence since 2014 after 406 consecutive starts.
Recently, Hamlin celebrated another huge career milestone. At Nashville Superspeedway, he made his 700th start, and the next week secured a win at Michigan Speedway, becoming only the 10th driver to win on their 701st start in stock car history. On his podcast, Hamlin reflected on reaching these numbers and the realities of maintaining peak performance over such a long career:
“Usually by this time, the performance starts to go away… your performance is tailing off, and I just don’t feel that way. I feel as strong as ever and I really wanted to win on 700. Will I be around to see 800? I don’t think so. I think that that’s probably closing. I don’t know. We’ll see. I’ve got to stay at this current level. The minute I feel like it’s slipping, I’m out of here.” —Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Currently, Hamlin ranks fifth in the Cup Series points standings, holding 494 points after three wins, eight top-ten results, and seven top-five finishes in 15 starts. Alongside his family milestones, his competitive edge remains sharp as he continues to lead laps and set high standards in each race.
Denny Hamlin’s return and the poignant story behind his son’s name add new emotional weight to his ongoing NASCAR campaign. As the season progresses, fans and competitors alike will watch to see not only if Hamlin can add to his win tally, but whether his journey—and the legacy linked through names like James Dean and JD Gibbs—will further influence this chapter of his racing story.
