Heres the good news for five-time NASCAR champion #48-Jimmie Johnson: In four weeks, wife Chandra is due to give birth to the couples second child and add another girl to the family. The potentially bad news: Girl No. 2 is due on Chicagoland race weekend (Sept. 13-15), which marks the first race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Johnson told USA TODAY Sports he wouldnt mind if the baby came during the Richmond race weekend (Sept. 5-7). Hes already locked into the Chase, after all. However, he said hopefully, ‘Ill take a weekday.” ‘Were getting in the window’ he said. ‘Well see what happens. Weekdays would be good. I hope No. 2 isnt afraid of Mondays or Tuesdays.” As you would expect from Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus and all of Hendrick Motorsports, the team has a well-planned substitute driver lineup if Johnson suddenly is called back to Charlotte. Johnson, who is atop the standings and is tied with Matt Kenseth with a series-high four wins, said the plan is ‘quite complicated’ but the #48 car would be driven by either James Buescher or Regan Smith. ‘It depends on when I need to leave, what track Im at vs. what track theyre at and on what day’ Johnson said. ‘So it moves around quite a bit, but those are the two guys who are set up to fill in if need be.” The couples first child, Genevieve (or ‘Evie”), is 3.( USA Today )
