“Super sub” Regan Smith may be called into duty again this weekend. The veteran driver is on standby for Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin, who is on baby watch.
With longtime girlfriend Jordan Fish nearing her due date, Hamlin has insurance in a couple of ways. The first is that, if Fish goes into labor, Smith will drive Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota, so no worries there. The second is due to Hamlin’s win at New Hampshire earlier this summer, he’s firmly locked into the playoff field.
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“As far as I’m concerned if and when I get the call I’ll go just immediately,” Hamlin said Saturday at Watkins Glen International. “It really doesn’t matter to me when it particularly is. I mean, short of it being in the pace laps then I would try to run one lap and then come in, but any other time I would just go right away. I’m not really sure how it all will work, but I assume that my people will be gotten ahold of as soon as I need to go.”
Hamlin, who has a jet on standby just in case, also noted that Smith is at The Glen in the No. 11 hauler ready to go if needed. Fish’s due date is Thursday (Aug. 10th) and Hamlin says she will not induce, so the baby could come at “any time.”
Smith drove the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford in place of the injured Aric Almirola at Charlotte and Dover earlier this year. He previously has subbed for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson.
Hamlin won the race at Watkins Glen last year. He is sixth in the driver standings with one win, seven top fives and 11 top-10 finishes.
— NASCAR.com’s Jessica Ruffin contributed to this report