Hamlin won last week’s race at Michigan for his third win of the season. He previously won at Martinsville and Darlington. Hamlin is currently third in the regular season standings behind William Byron and Larson and has scored 18 playoff points through 15 races. Only Larson, with 23, has more.

Denny Hamlin will continue to chase for a NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2025 after he was granted a Playoff Waiver by NASCAR on Friday. Hamlin will not compete in this weekend's Viva Mexico 250 following the birth of his third child on Wednesday.

Denny Hamlin will miss NASCAR’s first international race of the modern era to remain in North Carolina following the birth of his child.