Over the past couple of weeks, Ryan Truex admits that when crew chief Chris Gayle texted him “my heart would stop.” Did Denny Hamlin, awaiting the birth of his son, need Truex to drive his car? “Is it yes or no?

There is quite the challenge -- and opportunity -- ahead for Ryan Truex. Denny Hamlin is choosing to stay with his family this weekend and miss the Cup race in Mexico City following the birth of his son. Hamlin's absence means Truex will get to pilot the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Denny Hamlin was one of the main headlines this week with the birth of his first son. The other big news story was Mexico City and the first international points-paying race in the NASCAR Cup Series since 1958.