Denny Hamlin is in line for his 700th Cup Series start, but Joe Gibbs Racing has a reserve driver in place as baby watch continues. Ryan Truex will be ready to take over the No. 11 Toyota.
Hamlin's fiancé, Jordan Fish, could go into labor at any time. If this happens, Hamlin will not hesitate to leave Nashville Superspeedway so that he can be present for the birth of their third child.
"I can't miss it," Hamlin said about the birth to assembled media members. "I've gotta be there for her, and that's, obviously, the biggest priority. I just wish she'd hang on a little bit longer."
Hamlin and Fish revealed they were expecting their third child back in December. They posted a joint message on Instagram that said, "The more, the merrier. Merry Christmas." A second photo featured the caption of "Arriving in June 2025."
Hamlin and Fish have two daughters together, Taylor and Molly.
If the baby watch timeline means that Hamlin has to leave the track, Truex will step into action. The veteran driver will take over the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE to make his first Cup Series start since the 2014 season.
Truex, a three-time Xfinity Series winner, is not a stranger to Joe Gibbs Racing. He quietly moved into a reserve role for the team in 2024, and he expanded it in 2025. He is the primary reserve driver for the organization's Xfinity Series and Cup Series teams.
This role requires Truex to be ready to hop in a car at a moment's notice. He prepares for this by doing simulator testing throughout the week. He also controls Toyota's wheel force car at NASCAR-approved manufacturer testing sessions.
"Obviously, I don't want somebody to be sick or hurt or whatever," Truex told The Athletic in January. "But when that opportunity presents itself, it's all about being as ready as you can be.
"I know how to jump off the couch and go be fast, but also how to calculate the risk and keep the car in one piece and take care of it."