Kurt Busch fill-in Regan Smith becomes first-time dad

Regan Smith said last weekend at Daytona International Speedway that he planned to fulfill his duties as interim driver of the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet -- even if it meant missing the birth of his first child.

"My wife and I have a very good relationship, obviously; we're having a kid," Smith, a full-time XFINITY Series driver, said on Saturday morning at the track. "We've had those discussions prior to this even happening about if it were to happen for one of the XFINITY races, and our same mentality for the XFINITY races is going to carry over to Sunday. Obviously, it's a big opportunity for me to be able to race that car.

"I've asked her to keep her legs crossed as long as she can if she does go into labor, and we'll do what we can to make sure I get back as quick as I can if that happens. But I will race both races this weekend."

Three days after Smith finished 16th in the Daytona 500, wife Megan gave birth to a 5-pound, 14-ounce baby boy named Rhett Lee Smith.