Denny Hamlin Prioritizes Family Over Mexico Cup Race as Baby Arrival Nears

Denny Hamlin's fiancée, Jordan Fish, is expected to deliver their third child, and as a result, Hamlin has revealed that he will prioritize family over the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico this weekend.

Hamlin comes off the back of a spectacular win at Michigan International Speedway, his third triumph of the season. Despite being in top form, Hamlin confirmed on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that he will not be going to Mexico if Fish does not deliver before the race. He said:

"I said it from the very beginning, if she hasn't had it by the time I have to leave for Mexico, then I'm not going to go to Mexico. I think that's the proper thing to do. Letting her call the shots, I think that's the best thing.

"When she, her body, and her mind says it's time, then that's what we'll do. Ultimately, I need to be there for her during, post and all those things. I'm going to make sure I spend proper time with her and obviously, the racing will come second this week."

Considering Hamlin's situation, he has had a reserve driver ready for recent races, including Nashville and Michigan. Joe Gibbs Racing has kept NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Ryan Truex on standby. If Hamlin does not make it to Mexico this week, Truex will take the wheel in his place.

Hamlin's race at Michigan last week was a great example of fine racing as he battled for the top spot and conserved fuel in the mileage race. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for William Byron, who led the race for 98 laps but had to pit after he ran out of fuel, leading him to finish P28. Addressing his win, Hamlin said in the post-race press conference:

"I mean, it feels good. I'm so hung up on trying to get to a win total that I told you before I get really frustrated on the days that I feel like I had the car, I just didn't have the execution or I made a mistake.

"It's gratifying. I look at the names that have won multiple. I think Jeff Gordon has the most, right? It's like these guys, I can't hold their helmet back. They're better than I am. I know they're better than I am because I've raced against them.

"It just feels good because I'm going to hate it when I'm not at the level I'm at now. I certainly will retire very, very quickly after that. I'm not going to hang around and do it just to do it. This is how I want to spend my last season, is like still winning, you know? I'm going to keep going."