MEXICO CITY — Denny Hamlin will miss Sunday’s Cup race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to remain in the United States with his family after the birth of his son Wednesday. Ryan Truex, who is Joe Gibbs Racing’s reserve driver, will drive the No. 11 car this weekend in Hamlin’s absence.

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

Denny Hamlin has elected to miss the NASCAR Cup Series debut in Mexico City to be home with his newborn son, but there is a question as to how his decision will affect him in the playoffs.