NASCAR insider weighs in on Ryan Truex being the ideal standby for Denny Hamlin as No. 11 driver's fiancée nears due date 

Ryan Truex has been named the standby driver for Denny Hamlin this weekend, as the latter stays close to Nashville in case his fiancée goes into labor. A recent social media update explained why Truex, and not someone else like Corey Heim, was chosen to back up the No. 11 driver during this critical time.

The original post came from veteran NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass on X. His coverage included the note that Hamlin was present but on baby watch, with Truex once again listed as the backup. The tweet read:

“Cup practice has started. Practice in groups and then single car qualifying. Hamlin (baby watch) is here. Ryan Truex again on standby. On Prime”

In a follow-up tweet, responding to a fan questioning the choice of Ryan Truex. Pockrass clarified that Truex is deeply involved with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). He does extensive simulator work and is responsible for helping build baseline setups. That makes him more familiar with how JGR’s cars should handle, which gives him an edge as a substitute in a last-minute scenario.

This weekend, Ryan Truex is trackside as the designated relief driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in case Denny Hamlin has to step away during the Cracker Barrel 400 in Nashville. The need for a backup is real, as Hamlin’s partner, Jordan Fish, is due to deliver their third child, a boy, at any time. Her due date was June 1, the same day as Sunday’s race.

Joe Gibbs Racing planned for Hamlin to complete Saturday’s (June 7) practice and qualifying sessions. After that, he won’t return to North Carolina. He’s staying in Nashville Saturday night to be as close as possible if the baby arrives.

Ryan Truex hasn’t had a Cup Series start since 2014 when he ran 23 races. This year, he’s only made one start in a national NASCAR series, finishing 17th at Daytona with Sam Hunt Racing.

Hamlin acknowledged that it’s a very real possibility he might miss the race.

“I can’t miss it. I’ve got to be there for her, and that’s the biggest priority,” he told the media (via Jayski).

He added that if labor starts during an eight-hour window surrounding the race, there would be no way to do both. With Ryan Truex on hand and fully familiar with the car’s setup and performance, the No. 11 team is well-prepared if they need to make a last-minute switch.

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Back in 2023, Ryan Truex proved his value on the track

In 2023, Ryan Truex secured his first NASCAR touring series win at Dover Motor Speedway in dominant fashion, leading 124 laps in what was the 189th race of his career.

Truex also had a six-race schedule with Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series. Although his season ended in a tough crash at Darlington alongside Brandon Jones and Chandler Smith, his earlier performances stood out. He finished in the top 10 in three of his six JGR races.

Speaking to Bob Pockrass from FOX Sports at the time, Ryan Truex talked about his future goals.

"We are working on more races. Working on next year. Like I said, my goal is [to] be full time JGR..." he said.

Despite strong talent, Truex’s path in NASCAR has been affected by funding issues. Over his career, he has only had three full-time seasons—two in the Truck Series and one in Xfinity. But his part-time opportunities with Joe Gibbs Racing have helped him stay in the mix. In 2023, his solid performance led to a six-race extension with JGR in 2024.