Denny Hamlin to return to NASCAR at Pocono race after birth of baby

• Denny Hamlin missed his first NASCAR race in over 11 years due to the birth of his son.
• Ryan Truex filled in for Hamlin, finishing 23rd in the Viva Mexico 250.
• Hamlin will return to racing this weekend at Pocono Raceway.

For the first time in more than 11 years, a NASCAR Cup Series race went on without Denny Hamlin last weekend.

The 44-year-old missed the Viva Mexico 250 after he and fiancee Jordan Fish welcomed their third child.

“We are happy to announce the birth of our son,” Hamlin said in a statement. “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.”

Ryan Truex filled his seat in the No. 11 car and finished 23rd at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. It was Truex’s first Cup appearance since 2014.

Coincidentally, that season was the last time Hamlin sat out a race before last weekend. Health reasons sidelined him for a March 2014 event at Auto Club Speedway.

Is Denny Hamlin racing at Pocono this weekend?

Yes.

NASCAR published the driver entry list for Pocono on June 16. Hamlin will be back in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota for the The Great American Getaway 400 on June 22.

Did Denny Hamlin receive playoff waiver for missing Mexico City race?

Yes.

Hamlin requested and received a waiver before the Mexico City race. It allowed him to skip the event while remaining eligible for the Cup Series postseason and retaining his 18 playoff points.

Before this season, NASCAR listed the birth of a child as an acceptable reason for missing a race without penalty.

When was Denny Hamlin’s baby born?

Hamlin and Fish’s son was born last Wednesday, June 11, nearly two weeks past his predicted due date.

What is name of Denny Hamlin’s son?

As of June 18, the family has not released the baby name.

Hamlin has two older children, daughters Taylor James (12) and Molly Gold (7).

What time is NASCAR race at Pocono?

The race is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Pocono Raceway. It will air on Amazon Prime Video.