NASCAR Power Rankings: Denny Hamlin says hola to 3rd child, adios to Mexico, gets rewarded
The longtime theory (around here, anyway) said NASCAR babies are always born on a Tuesday.
The modern miracles of obstetrics, glove-in-glove with the racing schedule, always managed to make that happen. Tuesday was the safest day for such things in order to avoid conflicting with last weekend's or the coming weekend's race. Can't have it on Monday, because that becomes race day in the case of a Sunday rainout.
Advertisement
Well, it turns out, Denny Hamlin and longtime girlfriend/partner/fiancé (and I mean LONG time, as in 17 years) Jordan Fish only missed it by one day. Their third child, a boy, was born last Wednesday. Could Denny have hopped on the jet Friday and done his duties in Mexico City?
Denny Hamlin, just several weeks back at Martinsville, with Jordan and their daughters, Molly and Taylor.
Yep.
But did it make more sense to stay home and help with all that goes into prepping for a fifth family member? In this case, absolutely. Listen, if they'd been racing in, say, Darlington or Richmond or certainly Charlotte, I'm guessing Denny would've baked a couple of casseroles, loaded the fridge with juice and milk, and gone to work.
Advertisement
But even though this was just one time zone to the west and a few blocks to the south, Mexico City is still international travel, and international travel can bring unforeseen obstacles. Great opportunistic call by Denny.
His reward? The best imaginable. He gets to remain in the top spot on our weekly NASCAR Power Rankings. Ask any father of a newborn, Denny will be absolutely ITCHING to get to Pocono this weekend. So don't be surprised if he stays up top for at least another week.
1. Denny Hamlin
Misses a race, stays at No. 1? Call it the "new dad" mulligan. Can only burn it once during the year.
2. Christopher Bell
He's a closer runner-up here than he was in Mexico City this past Sunday.
3. Kyle Larson
Went halfway to South America to run half a race.
4. William Byron
Sounds odd, but he hasn't won in over four months. Needed to be pointed out.
5. Ross Chastain
He'll get back on that top-10 train at Pocono this week.
6. Chase Elliott
Did you see him on that third-place podium? Whew, looked like a teenager at family-picture time.
7. Ryan Blaney
Raise your hand if you're the most recent Cup winner at Pocono ...
8. Joey Logano
Also won at Pocono — 13 years ago!
9. Chris Buescher
For what it's worth, his hometown (Prosper, Texas) produced TWO Olympic male figure skaters: Todd Eldredge and Ronald Kauffman.
10. Chase Briscoe
While Shane van Gisbergen lost his lunch in Mexico, Chase lost his streak of three straight poles.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR driver power rankings: New dad Denny Hamlin gets a mulligan
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
WNBA power rankings: What we learned from the Fever's win over the Liberty with Caitlin Clark back on the court
With 27 seconds left in Saturday's Indiana Fever win over the New York Liberty, Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell checked out of the game. Indiana had a 14-point lead, and Fever coach Stephanie White was confident that her team could hold on for the win. It was a marked difference from the last time the two teams met, when the Liberty came back in the fourth quarter and held on in the final seconds for a 90-88 win. Indiana learned valuable lessons in that May 24 loss to the Liberty, and that showed on Saturday as the Fever handed New York its first loss of the season, which could have major Commissioner's Cup implications. Advertisement The biggest difference between the two games was Clark's 3-point shooting. In that first meeting, she went 2-11 from behind the arc, scoring 18 points. Natasha Cloud's defense in that game locked Clark down, but this time, Clark was able to get free and find space to shoot. Saturday was her first game back after missing five games due to a quad injury, and she couldn't miss, getting seven 3-pointers and scoring a total of 32. Even Breanna Stewart couldn't help but laugh at one of Clark's step-back threes. Clark's return also facilitated big games for Boston and Mitchell. For both players, defensive attention on Clark meant that they could find room to play their best games. Boston had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, plus 6 assists and 2 blocks, taking advantage of the Liberty not having Jonquel Jones on the court due to injury. Mitchell scored 22 points, her second-highest total of the season. For New York, a chilly shooting day from beyond the arc did not help matters. Sabrina Ionescu hit four 3-pointers and scored 34 points, but her teammates struggled. The team went 6-29, and Marine Johannes was the only other Liberty player to find the basket, hitting two 3-pointers and scoring 10 points. Advertisement Both games were fun and had a playoff atmosphere, and we're likely to see more of that when they meet up again in July. The Fever and Liberty will play each other twice more in the regular season. Yahoo Sports performer of the week: Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream Perhaps it was her time playing with the Lunar Owls in Unrivaled, or perhaps it was the arrival of Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones in Atlanta, but Allisha Gray is playing at MVP levels so far this season. On Sunday, she scored 32 points against Washington, added three steals, and did all that while playing just 29 minutes. Much of Atlanta's success this season can be attributed to Gray's scoring and playmaking. Game of the week Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty, Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime: Kahleah Copper made her season debut in Phoenix's win over the Aces on Sunday, and we got a glimpse of what the Mercury can look like with Copper, Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas on the court together. The Liberty will be a formidable test, and the Liberty's fans will make sure the game is loud. It should be a fun game to watch. WNBA power rankings (Mallory Bielecki/Yahoo Sports illustration) Yahoo Sports power poll
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Bubba Wallace Makes Bold Statement About NASCAR Mexico Race
NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace enjoyed the NASCAR Cup Mexico City race on Sunday, making a bold statement about the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The American motorsport series made history, holding its first Cup Series race in Mexico ever, in what was an action-packed affair. Wallace finished 12th in the race, gaining 12 places from his 25th-place starting spot. The 23XI Racing driver, while enjoying his strong performance in the race, took to X after the race to share his feelings about the atmosphere. "It was f***ing awesome racing in Mexico and feeling all that love," Wallace posted. "Thanks to all the new fans!" The race itself featured changing conditions as the rain stopped and started out of nowhere, making it difficult for teams to strategize. The fans in attendance enjoyed the jeopardy that the rain brought, and didn't let a little water stop their fun. The Mexico race was the first NASCAR event held outside of America in years, making it a truly special occasion. Before the race started, Wallace was impressed with the reception from America's southern neighbor and hopes it becomes a recurring event. "I think this is a massive step to be in this demographic, in this market," Wallace told the media. "I think the leadership has done a good job with everything that is in place for us to get here and put on an event for the local crowd here in Mexico. "The real answer to that will be post-race once we all see it all – like this is my first couple of hours on the race track grounds, and I've enjoyed it so far. "I've enjoyed being away from the race track. I've enjoyed my time at the race track." While the first race was successful, travel and logistical issues are putting a race in Mexico for 2026 in doubt. NASCAR was in Michigan the weekend before Mexico. Teams faced a real time crunch, getting things moved across the border in a short time span. "I think if we can work out the kinks of logistics and traveling – we've all seen the traffic nightmares that some teams have had over the last 24 hours," Wallace added. "I think if we can all come together and come up with some solid plan, that we won't have to run into that issue again. Nothing is ever the same. I think it can be done. "I know the teams go through a lot of stress. "Our truck drivers are the real heroes for this week, traveling 2,500 miles, or somewhere around that number if I'm correct, just to not go home and have an off weekend, we go right back to Pocono – it is still game on for the next several weeks. Logistics need to be worked out for sure, but I think we can do it." The future of NASCAR in Mexico is uncertain, but if Bubba Wallace has his way, he will be eating authentic tacos again next year. Related Articles Shane Van Gisbergen Took Notes From Max Verstappen For Mexico Cup Race WinStenhouse Jr. Escalates Tensions With Hocevar in Mexico: 'Gonna Beat Your A**'Jeff Gordon and Tom Cruise Secretly Planning Days of Thunder SequelDaniel Suárez Shares Powerful Story of Adapting to the USA Before NASCAR Xfinity Win 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
King and Queen recall ‘thrill' of Royal Ascot winner as they arrive at meet
The King and Queen have spoken about the 'thrill' of having a Royal Ascot winner as they arrived at the famous racing meet to watch their horse in action. Charles and Camilla travelled past packed stands on the Berkshire course in the traditional carriage procession as tens of thousands of punters geared up for the first race of the five-day event. The royal procession is celebrating its 200th anniversary, a tradition which began during the reign of George IV in 1825 when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington. Writing in the official programme, the King and Queen said: 'Having experienced the thrill of victory at Royal Ascot ourselves in 2023, we can only wish all those competing this week the very best of luck and that everyone watching has a most enjoyable five days.' The royal couple rode in the first carriage with Prince Faisal, a member of the Saudi royal family, and Lady Sarah Keswick, one of the Queen's official companions. Behind them, the Princess Royal travelled with Camilla's sister Annabel Elliot and the Duke and Duchess of Wellington and they were followed by a coach carrying Anne's son Peter Phillips and his girlfriend Harriet Sperling. The head of state and his wife will be hoping for a winner in the Ascot Stakes when their horse Reaching High, trained by Willie Mullins, takes on other thoroughbreds. The horse is among the favourites with the bookies and is one of a number the royal couple have entered this week. The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V Stakes.
