Denny Hamlin Could Miss a Race for Baby’s Birth—But His Playoff Hopes Will Stay Intact Thanks to NASCAR Waiver Policy
NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin may need to skip an upcoming Cup Series race, but it won’t jeopardize his postseason dreams. With his fiancée, Jordan Fish, expecting their third child, Hamlin could potentially miss a race weekend—yet remain fully eligible for the playoffs. That’s because NASCAR has a clear policy allowing waivers for personal and medical reasons, including the birth of a child.
Hamlin, who just secured a big win in Michigan and remains a strong contender for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series title, would not face any championship consequences if he temporarily steps away to be with his growing family. NASCAR’s rules are designed to accommodate such life events, ensuring that drivers don’t have to choose between their career and their families.
How the Waiver System Works
The playoff waiver is an official exemption that allows a driver to maintain eligibility for the postseason even if they fail to meet the minimum requirement of starting every race. In most cases, drivers must compete in all regular-season events to qualify for the playoffs. However, when extenuating circumstances arise—such as injuries, medical procedures, or family matters—NASCAR can step in and issue a waiver.
If granted, the waiver enables the driver to miss one or more races without it counting against their eligibility. This is especially crucial for top-performing drivers like Hamlin, who have already earned victories and accumulated valuable playoff points.
In Hamlin’s case, the expected birth of his child is considered a valid reason under the waiver guidelines. As long as the absence is tied to this personal milestone, and not simply a discretionary break, NASCAR will support his time away.
Precedent and Policy Consistency
NASCAR has issued similar waivers in the past. For example, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and Tony Stewart have all received waivers due to injuries or personal issues. The governing body tends to evaluate these on a case-by-case basis but remains consistent when clear family or health reasons are involved.
The organization has long supported drivers prioritizing their well-being and family responsibilities. Childbirth falls under this category and is widely viewed as an acceptable justification for temporary race absences.
What a Waiver Covers—and What It Doesn’t
A NASCAR waiver ensures postseason eligibility, but not all waivers are created equal. For Hamlin’s situation—categorized as a medical or family-related event—he would not only keep his eligibility but also retain all playoff points already earned.
That means:
- His wins remain valid.
- His stage points are untouched.
- His ranking in the championship standings stays the same.
By contrast, if a driver chooses to skip a race for personal convenience—without a valid medical or family reason—they might be granted a waiver for eligibility, but they would forfeit all accumulated playoff points. In that scenario, even if they made the playoffs, they would begin the Round of 16 with only the 2,000-point base score, giving them no bonus points advantage.
In Hamlin’s case, though, the expected cause of absence meets all the waiver requirements, so there’s no risk of point loss.
Support from the NASCAR Community
The broader NASCAR community has shown strong support for family-first decisions. In recent interviews and media coverage, fans and analysts have praised drivers like Hamlin for not shying away from putting personal milestones ahead of professional duties, even temporarily. Several current and former drivers have spoken up about the importance of balancing life and racing.
“It’s a no-brainer,” one insider said. “If Denny’s having a baby, he should absolutely be there—and the sport will be behind him all the way.”
The sentiment reinforces NASCAR’s evolving attitude toward work-life balance and underscores how the sport has adapted to be more inclusive of life’s big moments.
What Happens Next?
If the baby arrives on a race weekend and Hamlin chooses to step away, NASCAR would review the situation promptly and issue the waiver accordingly. There would be no drawn-out process or appeals needed—just a formal acknowledgment that Hamlin missed a race for a legitimate, family-based reason.
With his strong performance this season, including multiple top finishes and a major win, Hamlin is well-positioned for a playoff run. The birth of his third child won’t change that one bit.
In Summary
Denny Hamlin’s potential race absence for the birth of his child will not affect his playoff status, thanks to NASCAR’s waiver system for medical and family situations. He will remain eligible for the postseason and retain all accumulated playoff points. It’s another example of how NASCAR supports its drivers beyond the racetrack—recognizing that family moments matter just as much as checkered flags.
