Denny Hamlin, veteran NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, welcomed his third child on June 11, 2025. In a recent interview, Hamlin shared the significance behind naming his newborn son Jameson Drew, explaining how the name honors influential figures in both his life and racing career. This announcement came just days before Hamlin’s return to compete at the Pocono Raceway event after missing a race in Mexico City.
The Story Behind Jameson Drew Hamlin’s Name
Hamlin, who shared the joyous news with his fiancée Jordan Fish on June 19, 2025, revealed the meaning behind his son‘s name during a pre-race interview. Denny and Jordan have been together for 15 years and are parents to two daughters, Taylor and Molly, born in 2013 and 2017 respectively. After overcoming challenges in 2021, the couple got engaged in early 2024.
Explaining the name choice, Hamlin said it was carefully selected to honor key individuals who played a role in his success. He stated,
“The name—um—obviously I’m James, so that’s James’ son, Jameson. And so, and Drew—we wanted to keep JD because, obviously, JD Gibbs is a big, big part of my getting here to the Cup Series. James Dean was the car owner I drove for in late models that got me the equipment to win all those races to get seen by JD. I’m JD, and so we’re just keeping it going.” [11:20 onwards]
This tribute highlights the close ties Hamlin has with JD Gibbs, a key figure at Joe Gibbs Racing, and James Dean, whose support helped launch Hamlin’s early career. By naming his son Jameson Drew, Hamlin not only acknowledges his own given name but also expresses gratitude toward the people who shaped his journey.
Hamlin’s Return to Racing and Recent Achievements
Denny Hamlin missed the Viva Mexico 250, marking his first absence since 2014 after competing in 406 consecutive races. Despite the break, NASCAR granted him an official playoff waiver due to medical reasons, allowing him to remain playoff-eligible. Hamlin’s absence was carefully considered by the league given his impressive streak and current performance.
Preparing for the upcoming Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 22, 2025, Hamlin secured the pole position with a lap time of 52.144 seconds and a top speed reaching 172.599 mph. He edged out competitor Chris Buescher by 0.083 seconds in qualifying, showcasing his continued competitiveness on the track.
Hamlin recently celebrated significant career milestones, including his 700th race start at Nashville Superspeedway and a victory at Michigan Speedway, where he became the tenth driver to win on their 701st start in stock car racing history. Reflecting on this achievement, Hamlin commented,
“Usually by this time, the performance starts to go away… your performance is tailing off, and I just don’t feel that way. I feel as strong as ever and I really wanted to win on 700. Will I be around to see 800? I don’t think so. I think that that’s probably closing. I don’t know. We’ll see. I’ve got to stay at this current level. The minute I feel like it’s slipping, I’m out of here.” (56:29 onwards)
Current Season Performance and Outlook
Heading into the later part of the 2025 season, Hamlin holds fifth place in the Cup Series standings with 494 points accumulated. Throughout 15 starts this season, he has earned three wins, eight top-ten finishes, and seven top-five placements. Hamlin has led 455 laps with an average starting position of 11.733, underlining his consistency and strong presence in the series.
The combination of Hamlin’s personal milestones, performance on the track, and the emotional significance of naming his son Jameson Drew demonstrates his deep connection to both family and racing. As he continues to chase victories and secure playoff positioning, his story resonates with fans and fellow drivers alike.
