Denny Hamlin will be missing out on the historic Mexico City race weekend and would still have a strong chance at clinching the championship. Ahead of the season, NASCAR had made the consequences for drivers missing races pretty clear. However, they have granted a waiver in Hamlin’s case.
If you recall, NASCAR had said that if a driver misses a race in the schedule and makes the playoffs, all of his playoff points accumulated in the regular season would be taken away. This came after Larson missed the Coca-Cola 600 last season while trying to attempt the double. While he was given a waiver then, NASCAR made things stricter this year.
However, Hamlin is missing the race thanks to a medical reason, which is an exception to the NASCAR rule.
Denny Hamlin Is Left off the Hook by NASCAR for Missing Out on the Mexico Race
If you recall, NASCAR, while announcing the rule, had also stated: exceptions to the forfeit of Playoff points include medical reason (driver medical, birth of a child, family emergency, etc.) and age restrictions.
Hamlin is taking the weekend off to spend time with his fiancée, Jordan Fish, and their newborn son. As reported by NASCAR.com, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver said, “We are happy to announce the birth of our son. 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.”
Also, NASCAR has granted Hamlin a waiver, which means he would be allowed to keep his playoff points as the 2025 playoffs commence. So far, there have been 15 races in he season, and Hamlin’s already won thrice and has accumulated 18 playoff points so far. Which could aid him in his first Cup championship.
UPDATE: @dennyhamlin has requested and been granted a medical waiver to remain eligible for the #NASCARPlayoffs.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 13, 2025
Moreover, this is the first race that the veteran will be missing since 2014. If you recall, he missed the Auto Club Speedway race back then, thanks to an object lodged in his eye. Surely Hamlin wouldn’t miss out on a race for anything, but his family holds priority over all else. He would be replaced by Ryan Truex in the #11 car at Mexico.
Still, it would have been fun to watch Hamlin back at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. After all, he’s the most dominant active NASCAR driver on the track. From 2005-2008, the Mexico track was a staple in the Xfinity Series. Hamlin ran thrice there, winning it once and finishing twice in the top five. In fact, the JGR driver has a 6.0 average finish there. Surely Hamlin would be missed in the race.