Denny Hamlin might be at risk of missing the NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, but it is for a good reason. According to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Joe Gibbs Racing reserve driver Ryan Truex is in as Hamlin is on “baby watch” with the potential birth of his child. Last week at Nashville Superspeedway, the driver of the No. 11 car was also on “baby watch.”
If Hamlin needed to leave Michigan for the birth of his child, NASCAR would grant him a waiver, even if Truex completed the entire Cup Series event. For the most part, NASCAR drivers typically don’t miss race time in these situations, but it has happened in the past.
Truex hasn’t competed in a Cup Series race since Chicagoland Speedway with BK Racing in 2014, but he has spent time testing the NextGen car for Toyota. The hope is that Hamlin can complete the entire weekend in Michigan, but if he needs to leave for the birth of his child, Truex would be in line to take over the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing once again.
