What’s Happening?

Denny Hamlin will miss this weekend’s race in Mexico City, Mexico, ending a streak of 406 consecutive starts in the NASCAR Cup Series. But there is some confusion about his Playoff eligibility. So, after he misses this weekend’s race, will Denny Hamlin lose Playoff eligibility for missing Mexico City?

UPDATE: 12:54 PM: NASCAR has granted Hamlin his Waiver

What’s the Case

Hamlin is out for this weekend’s race due to the birth of his son. He has been on baby watch for multiple weeks and has stated that he would willingly miss a race weekend to be there for his fiancée, Jordan Fish.

Ryan Truex will drive the No. 11 car in his place, meaning that the car will still be on track and earn owner’s points for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Now, Hamlin has already qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, having won three races, and is well secured in the top 16 in points. But, per the NASCAR Rule Book, “Unless otherwise authorized by NASCAR, driver(s) and Team Owner(s) must start all Championship Events of the current season to be eligible for The Playoffs,” something that Hamlin can no longer do.

However, NASCAR has an option for full-time drivers who may miss a race for any reason. These drivers must request a Playoff Waiver, allowing them to compete in the playoffs (should they qualify) after missing races.

So, the question is, does Denny Hamlin deserve a Playoff Waiver?

What Does NASCAR Say?

Most expect Hamlin to receive his waiver as it is for the birth of a child, something NASCAR lists as an exemption. But the rules surrounding Playoff Waivers are different in 2025. In recent years, fans have lobbed criticism at NASCAR for seemingly playing the Playoff Waiver system fast and loose.

The most important story of all in 2024 was Kyle Larson, who missed the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 due to his participation in a rain-delayed Indianapolis 500. NASCAR awarded Larson a Playoff Waiver, and the No. 5 went on to finish sixth in points despite missing one race.

Though NASCAR had awarded debatable Waivers in the past, the sport redeveloped the waiver system this past offseason. Per a release from NASCAR, in the 2025 season, “If a Playoff Waiver is granted for missing a race, the driver will forfeit all current and future Playoff Points (earned prior to the Playoffs), and will start the Playoffs with a maximum of 2,000.”

This new rule does not mean that Hamlin will be penalized if NASCAR awards him a waiver. NASCAR has exceptions for “medical reasons and age restrictions,” including “driver medical, birth of a child, family emergency, etc.”

One driver, NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie Connor Zilisch, has already had to use a medical Playoff Waiver for an injury he sustained at Talladega.

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