Jimmie Johnson baby drama could unfold in Chase

Jeff Gluck | USA TODAY Sports

Here's the good news for five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson: In four weeks, wife Chandra is due to give birth to the couple's 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 wouldn't mind if the baby came during the Richmond race weekend (Sept. 5-7). He's already locked into the Chase, after all. However, he said hopefully, "I'll take a weekday."

"We're getting in the window," he said. "We'll see what happens. Weekdays would be good. I hope No. 2 isn't 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 No. 48 car would be driven by either James Buescher or Regan Smith.

"It depends on when I need to leave, what track I'm at vs. what track they're 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."

And what if Girl No. 2 decides race day at Chicago is a good time to take her personal green flag?

"Chani told me, 'We're winning this championship,' " Johnson said with a laugh. "I'm like, 'OK. Thank you.' That's what I needed to hear."

The couple's first child, Genevieve (or "Evie"), is 3.

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