NASCAR’s rulebook has always been a bit of a lightning rod, but the so-called “Kyle Larson Rule” has kicked the debate up a notch. After Larson’s gutsy attempt to tackle the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, NASCAR made its stance crystal clear—miss a race without a solid excuse, and your playoff points go up in smoke. There’s no if, buts, or maybes to it! Well, that is, unless you’re about to become a dad. And that’s exactly where Denny Hamlin’s set to take advantage.

But don’t worry, this time, it’s not a last-minute golf getaway. It’s fun times at the Hamlins, and the waiver loophole sounds promising for the driver.

Denny Hamlin’s baby news and the waiver loophole

On his latest Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin casually lets it slip—he and his fiancée Jordan Fish are expecting baby number three. And as luck (or fate) would have it, the due date is right around Charlotte race weekend.

“Well, yeah, I got another one coming,” Hamlin said with a chuckle. “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—that’d be great.”

His co-host, Jared Allen, wasn’t about to let that timing slide, jokingly asking if Hamlin would actually be present for the birth if it clashed with the race. “Yeah, of course,” Hamlin replied without skipping a beat. “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, correct?”

And he’s absolutely right—NASCAR’s updated waiver policy allows drivers to miss a race, for family reasons, without paying the price. But as Hamlin cheekily pointed out these days, doctors can schedule things pretty precisely. “It seems like nowadays they can time whenever it happens,” he joked.

Then came the real comedy. Allen brought up Hamlin’s previous experiences with fatherhood, asking if either of his daughters had been born on a weekend. Hamlin wasn’t entirely sure, but remembered one key detail—he was out playing golf right after. “I had a golf guys event the day after,” Hamlin admitted, laughing. “What could I do? Once the baby’s here, it’s like, you know, I can be your comfort companion, feed ya applesauce or something.”

And he wasn’t about to take all the heat himself. “Listen, I’m not the only one,” he said. “There’s been others in the NASCAR community, in my golf league, who had a child and then took a break for four hours, played in the event, and came back to the hospital. We have some understanding women in our lives. Great supporters.”

Hamlin’s battle with Chase Elliott at Bowman Gray

Trending

1

Kyle Busch Handed “Final Warning” by NASCAR as Internal Friction Erupts at Chevrolet

2

Justice for NASCAR Legend as FBI Takes Down Elite Car Thieves in Shocking Undercover Operation

3

Chase Elliott Branded NASCAR’s “Last Big Hope” as ‘Loudmouth’ Denny Hamlin Earns Controversial Veteran’s Respect

4

Richard Childress & Co Blamed for Kyle Busch’s Failures as NASCAR Veteran Exposes Rowdy’s Career Blunder

5

Denny Hamlin Pushed Around at Bowman Gray by Roger Penske’s New Short Track Master

But Hamlin’s baby news isn’t the only thing making waves. The NASCAR season kicked off with a bang at Bowman Gray Stadium, and Hamlin found himself right in the thick of it with Chase Elliott. Elliott was in control for most of the race, leading 172 of 200 laps, but Hamlin wasn’t backing down. The two traded paint, with Hamlin briefly sneaking into the lead before Elliott wrestled it back on a crucial restart. When it was all said and done, Elliott took the checkered flag while Denny Hamlin settled for third.

“It’s just as it goes on. It seems like I lose a little bit of the juice that I had,” Hamlin admitted. “Certainly, in the first half, I felt like I could maneuver anywhere I wanted to go. I just got to get a little better and figure out what makes this thing go for the entire race, not just the beginning.”

Meanwhile, Elliott gave credit to his team for making the right tweaks. “Honestly, felt like there at the end of the first hundred that Denny and Tyler [Reddick] had gotten better than us,” Elliott said. “I felt like I needed to take my shot and try to get the lead. If it worked out, great. If Denny got me back, then so be it.”

Their battle was another chapter in a long-running rivalry, dating back to their infamous clashes at Martinsville and Phoenix in 2017. Things may have cooled down off the track but behind the wheel? It’s still an all-out war. Denny Hamlin’s got his hands full with a new baby on the horizon and a season packed with rivalries. The “Kyle Larson Rule” may add an extra layer of complication, but he’s in the clear thanks to NASCAR’s waiver system.

Meanwhile, NASCAR’s return to Bowman Gray Stadium was an absolute hit, with fans and drivers raving about it. “This environment is special,” Elliott said after his win. “This is a place that has a deep history in NASCAR, and I think they deserve this event. Truthfully, I hope we didn’t disappoint. It was fun for me, at least.”

As for Denny Hamlin, he’s gearing up for what’s next—whether it’s going wheel-to-wheel with Elliott or taking on diaper duty at home.