Hamlin’s fiancée, Jordan Fish, is due to deliver any day now, putting the driver’s travel plans in flux for the Cup Series’ first ever race in Mexico. In a recent interview, Hamlin said he would be willing to miss a race or even multiple ones to be there for his Fish and his new baby, prioritizing his family over racing.
Drivers need to depart for Mexico City on Thursday, June 12 with practice for the Viva Mexico 250 beginning the next day ahead of the Sunday, June 15 Cup race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
During a June 10 interview on SiriusXM NASCAR, Hamlin said the distance between his home in North Carolina and Mexico City played a significant role in this decision.
‘It’s one thing when you’re in Michigan; you’re an hour and a half flight away. There’s no customs. I fly right into the airport. It’s just not that in Mexico,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin is fresh off a victory at the Firekeepers casino 400 and currently sits in third place in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with three wins, seven top-five finishes and eight top 10s. Here’s how his absence could affect his shot at his first championship:
Would Hamlin’s absence affect his chance at NASCAR Cup Series title?
Fortunately, Hamlin has already secured his spot in the 10-race Cup Series playoffs with his three wins this season. Furthermore, thanks to the NASCAR Playoff Waiver System, which classifies the birth of a child as an exemption, Hamlin would not lose playoff eligibility or points.
Hamlin has 57 wins in his Cup Series career, which ranks 11th on the all-time list. While a championship has eluded him, he finished runner-up in 2010 and third three times (2006, 2014 and 2021).
How would Hamlin’s absence affect the NASCAR in-season challenge?
There in-season challenge is a single-elimination tournament, which will take place over five consecutive races, beginning in late June. Similar to NCAA tournaments, including college basketball’s March Madness, each driver will be seeded against an opponent, and the one with the best finish will advance.
It is unclear yet, how a missed race would affect the bracket – either in the three races leading up to the tournament or the NASCAR in-season challenge itself.
Who would fill in for Hamlin in Mexico City?
Should Hamlin miss this weekend’s race, it’s unclear who would fill-in for him in the No. 11. Fans would certainly like to see 23XI Racing prospect Corey Heim, but more likely is Ryan Treux, who has served as the full-time reserve race for Joe Gibbs Racing for some time.