Denny Hamlin chose to forego NASCAR’s first points race in Mexico at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, prioritizing his family over competing despite the potential loss of valuable championship points. The Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) veteran recently welcomed his first son, making this a critical moment for his family life. While missing the event resulted in a setback on the points leaderboard, Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has publicly supported Hamlin’s decision, emphasizing that the choice reflected responsible priorities.
The Mexico City race, known as the Viva Mexico 250, presented several difficulties for teams and drivers alike, including complicated logistics and challenging weather conditions. Travel delays caused concern over participation, and a rain-influenced track contributed to limited passing opportunities during the race. Shane van Gisbergen claimed a dominant win by more than 16 seconds, underscoring the tough racing environment that weekend.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Affirms Hamlin’s Decision as Thoughtful and Admirable
Dale Earnhardt Jr., a respected voice in NASCAR, endorsed Hamlin’s choice to stay at home, focusing on his family’s needs rather than the race. According to Earnhardt Jr., given the circumstances—Hamlin’s expanding family with two daughters and a newborn—staying with his fiancée to provide support was the right course of action. He praised Hamlin’s determination to be present for his family, calling the decision “awesome” and “great.”
“You gotta make that call considering all circumstances involved and they have two girls in the house, you got a third [on the way], mom’s gonna need a couple of days. Denny wanted to be home — I thought that was awesome. … I thought it was a great decision.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famer
Earnhardt Jr. also highlighted the broader shift in NASCAR culture, contrasting the current generation of drivers with past eras. He stressed that today’s drivers feel more empowered to put family and personal well-being ahead of competing, a stark difference from the “old NASCAR” days when drivers raced through severe injuries and missed important family milestones. This evolution signals a changing mindset where personal priorities can take precedence without stigma.
“There’s two NASCARS. There’s the old NASCAR where you drove with a broken neck, you raced with obvious concussions and you missed high school graduations of your kids. You missed all of the milestones, all the moments. But that’s the old NASCAR, and that’s not how we do it anymore. We’re in a new day and time where if you’ve got something you wanna be home for, you’ve got the opportunity to make that decision.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famer
Why Hamlin’s Absence at Mexico Was Understandable
Denny Hamlin had been clear in advance that he would miss the Mexico City event for family reasons. Since NASCAR’s road course races are not Hamlin’s strongest suit compared to oval tracks, his absence was somewhat less surprising. Earnhardt Jr. suggested that Hamlin’s decision was influenced by multiple factors, including the overseas location and the nature of the race itself, which made staying home with his family more appealing than traveling abroad under stressful conditions.
Hamlin’s Commitment to Racing on Favorite Tracks Like Darlington
Darlington Raceway holds a special place for Denny Hamlin, evidenced by his impressive success there, including a recent victory at the Goodyear 400 earlier this season. Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that if the race had been held at Darlington, Hamlin would not have missed it, emphasizing the driver’s passion for competing on his preferred tracks regardless of personal circumstances. The geographic distance and timing of the Mexico race made the decision easier to prioritize family over racing.
“I think if it was at Darlington, he would have ran the race, flew in and drove the fu*king car.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famer
Looking Ahead: Hamlin’s Playoff Position and Future Races
Despite his absence in Mexico, Hamlin has already secured a place in the NASCAR playoffs, allowing him to focus on maintaining his competitive edge in upcoming events. After enjoying time with his family during the break, the 44-year-old is now preparing for the next races, including the highly anticipated event at Pocono Raceway. With his recent win in Michigan, Hamlin aims to build momentum and deliver strong performances while balancing his responsibilities as a father and husband.
This moment illustrates the growing acceptance within NASCAR of drivers placing family commitments at the forefront, marking a shift toward a more holistic approach to the sport and life.
