Hendrick Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne added "proud father" to his list of accomplishments Tuesday as longtime girlfriend Sam Sheets gave birth to the couple's first child at 1:11 a.m., a son named Tanner Lee Kahne.
Kahne, 35, of Enumclaw, Washington, announced his big news via social media Tuesday morning.
The 2004 Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year revealed that Sheets was expecting back in June, and described being a father as a "lifelong dream" of his.
In one of his first interviews since acknowledging Sheets' pregnancy, Kahne told ESPN.com, "It's something that's been on my mind for a long time. I'm really excited to have this type of life-changing experience, and I can't wait to be the best dad I can possibly be."
Kahne is the latest driver to contribute to a NASCAR version of the "baby boom." In just over the last year, drivers Kyle Busch, Landon Cassill, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski and Clint Bowyer have had their first children. Trevor Bayne's wife is expecting their first child later this year.