2 days ago
Ryan Truex To Replace Denny Hamlin In The Nascar Cup Series' Mexico Debut
Ryan Truex, driver of the #19 Toyota Genuine Accessories Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after ... More winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series A-GAME 200 at Dover International Speedway on April 29, 2023 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by)
'See you guys in Pocono.'
That's all Denny Hamlin had to tweet and everyone knew what he meant. The
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver will miss Nascar's debut race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Mexico this weekend due to the birth of his third child. Hamlin's fiance, Jordan Fish, gave birth to a baby boy on Wednesday, June 11.
But even though the baby was born mid-week, he decided it was best to not travel internationally.
'We are happy to announce the birth of our son,' Hamlin said. '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. I appreciate everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing, our partners, and our fans for the support over the last few weeks and I look forward to being back at the track next weekend in Pocono.'
Ryan Truex, the younger brother of former Joe Gibbs Racing driver and 2017 Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., will take over the No. 11 Toyota at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
JGR will apply for a playoff waiver for Hamlin, who has already qualified for the 2025 postseason with three victories through the first 15 events, sitting third in the standings.
Truex has not competed in the Cup Series since 2014, when he just 22 years old. He is JGR's designated relief driver in the event any of its four drivers cannot compete in a Cup race.
Truex has never had a chance to prove himself like this. Sunday's road course event will be the first time he has an opportunity in a top-tier Cup car.
He made seven starts for JGR in the Xfinity Series in 2012 before returning to the team in 2022. In 2023, Truex won his first-ever Xfinity Series race, doing so at his hometrack of Dover Motor Speedway. The triumph led to an additional 11-race deal in 2024, in which Truex won a pair of races in JGR's Xfinity Series car.
But this year, Truex has only made one start with Sam Hunt Racing, coming in the season opener at Daytona. Sunday's Cup race will be a true opportunity for him to show that he can be a Cup-caliber driver.
Hamlin has not missed a Cup Series race since 2014, when he did not compete at Auto Club Speedway due to a sinus infection that led to vision issues.
