Denny Hamlin recently shared heartwarming details about his daughter Molly’s excitement over the arrival of his newborn son Jameson, highlighting a touching family dynamic amid major updates in Denny Hamlin family and racing news. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who became a father again on June 11, discussed balancing his growing family with his NASCAR commitments during a recent podcast episode.
Molly’s Protective Role With Newborn Jameson
After welcoming their son Jameson Drew Hamlin, Hamlin and his fiancée Jordan Fish saw their seven-year-old daughter Molly immediately embrace her role as a big sister. Hamlin described how Molly, usually known for playing with toy dolls, now carries her real baby brother around the house, demonstrating genuine care and affection.
“You know how she carries around the fake baby dolls? She’s doing that now with a real baby doll. I mean, just toting this thing all around the house and we’re kind of like, but we would know that she would sacrifice her body if she tripped before hurting that child,”
—Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
Hamlin and Jordan Fish are also parents to their 12-year-old daughter Taylor, making Jameson their third child. The family’s growing bond has become a central part of Hamlin’s life this summer, as he juggles his responsibilities at home and on the track.
Family Milestones Intersect With Racing Career
Shortly after Jameson’s birth, Denny Hamlin made the decision to skip the Mexico City race, prioritizing family over competition. Despite missing the event, NASCAR granted Hamlin a playoff waiver, allowing him to continue his quest for success this season. His return at Pocono Raceway on June 22 resulted in a second-place finish, making him the top seed in the inaugural $1 million In-Season Challenge starting this weekend. In a tightly contested race, Hamlin led for 32 laps, claimed the Stage 1 victory, but ultimately finished fractions of a second behind his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe.
Looking ahead, Hamlin is set to compete in the first race of the five-event In-Season Challenge at EchoPark Speedway, formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway, broadcast on TNT. He is matched against No. 32 seed Ty Dillon and must finish ahead of Dillon to progress, as advancement is based solely on head-to-head results rather than points accrued.
The Process Behind Naming Jameson Drew Hamlin
On his podcast, Hamlin shared insights into the deliberations that went into choosing a name for their son. He revealed that several names were considered before they agreed on Jameson Drew Hamlin, with Hamlin expressing a preference for the name ‘James Jet.’
“I tried to sell her on James Jet for a very, very long time. I think I had wore her down enough to get that through the goal line, but we came up with others that, you know, there was one in particular we came really close to, Miles Miller,”
—Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
“I liked the if we didn’t go with JD, I liked first and middle initials to be the same because it just kind of rolls off the tongue,”
—Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
The initials ‘JD’ also have special significance for Hamlin, serving as a tribute to both Jim Dean, the car owner from his early racing career, and J.D. Gibbs, notable figure of Joe Gibbs Racing.
What Lies Ahead for Hamlin’s Family and Racing Season
Denny Hamlin’s family has become an even stronger source of motivation as he navigates a critical period in the racing season. Balancing personal milestones with competitive ambitions, Hamlin remains focused both on his young children—including the protective Molly and new baby Jameson—and the racing challenges ahead, particularly the high-stakes In-Season Challenge where his rivalry with Ty Dillon will be closely watched. The coming weeks promise to be pivotal as Hamlin, supported by his fiancée Jordan Fish and their growing family, strives to achieve success on and off the racetrack.
