Denny Hamlin addresses status for Mexico City NASCAR race amid baby watch

It could be shaping up to be a nerve-wracking week for Denny Hamlin. For starters, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Mexico City this Sunday for the Viva Mexico 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

On top of that, Hamlin’s fiancée Jordan Fish is due to give birth to the couple’s third child and first son. Hamlin and Fish have been anticipating their son’s arrival since last week. Hamlin made it through the last two races without getting a phone call. If it comes while he’s in Mexico, obviously, that complicates matters as it relates to getting back to North Carolina.

So, what’s the plan? Hamlin said on Monday’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast that it remains up in the air.

“I don’t know,” Hamlin said. “We got to figure that out because I certainly cannot leave — it’s one thing from when you’re in Michigan and you’re an hour-and-a-half flight away, there’s no customs and I fly right into the airport. It’s just not that in Mexico. I can’t leave until we have the baby. Guess we’re on track on Friday. I don’t know. I’ve gotta play this one by ear.”

Denny Hamlin responds to whether Michigan NASCAR win will influence new baby’s name

Hamlin and Fish are soon to have a newborn. It’s late in the ballgame, but Hamlin and Fish might have something to reconsider when it comes to picking a name after Hamlin’s victory in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

Right now, the couple have a list of about “13-15 names” they agree on. But could something from the win at Michigan influence the final decision on a name? It’s a “good thought” Hamlin said. Michigan Hamlin, anyone?

“We have this app that is essentially swipe left, swipe right on names and then you match names that you both like. … And so, right now we have like 13-15 names that we matched. I have one that I was hung up on right from the beginning,” Hamlin told Dustin Long of NBC Sports. “It’s interesting, she did give me option, she said, ‘If you had to pick one or the other, you either get to schedule this or you get to have the name. Which one? You can’t have both.’ I said, ‘I’ll take the name.’

“So, she’s getting it her way and then hopefully, I have things my way when it’s all said and done. But it’s a great point that does something from today get in there somewhere. That’s a good thought.”