Denny Hamlin reveals whether he'll be at Coke 600 or birth of third child

Denny Hamlin and his family will be adding another child to their clan in 2025, but the due date is causing some concern among NASCAR circles.

As it stands, Hamlin’s fiancé Jordan Fish is due to give birth to the couple’s third child around June 1, which is right around Memorial Day Weekend, coinciding with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. After the Kyle Larson debacle in 2024, that has many wondering what Hamlin would do if Fish goes into labor ahead of the race on Sunday.

“I’ve got another one coming. I’m three-for-three. Another baby. We’re really, really excited. Due June 1st-ish. So, right around Charlotte weekend, hopefully we can get that thing popped out somewhere around then,” Hamlin explained, via the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast. “That’d be great.

Evidently, Hamlin would make his way to the hospital, instead of racing at Charlotte, thanks to NASCAR’s new rule, which allows drivers to miss a race for the birth of a child without needing a waiver.

“Yeah, of course,” Hamlin added, regarding whether he’d be with his wife if she goes into labor during the Coca-Cola 600, or at the track. “There’s a new rule though, right? You can miss a race for a birth and not lose your playoff points, or have to get a waiver? I’m going to need the cliff notes on all the new rule stuff, and we’ll go over that next week. But yeah, that’s good news.

“It seems like nowadays, though, that they can pretty much time whenever it happens. Yeah, like — they can they can make that — make it come out, whenever.”

While it wouldn’t be ideal for Hamlin, who’s still searching for his first NASCAR Cup Series title, at least he wouldn’t be penalized for missing the race, if it came down to it. While the rule makes sense for driver’s preparing for the birth of their kids, it does create an argument for situations like Larson’s from last season, where he was attempting history by pulling The Double with the Indianapolis 500.

Regardless, Hamlin can sleep peacefully knowing that even if he does have to miss the Coca-Cola 600, he’ll be able to compete for a championship. His fiancé will be thrilled about the news as well. Hamlin said all the right things about the situation on his podcast, and now they can move forward worry-free.

Congratulations are in order for Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish, and the veteran wheelman is hoping baby No. 3 is his good luck charm ahead of the beginning of the 2025 season. Perhaps it’ll lead to him finally noticing that first title when the time comes.