DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 22 (UPI) — {link:Regan Smith: “http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/edf19fe969c1e746ffdf6ca4614e6f82/?ilink=1″,nw, t: “Regan Smith Replaces Kurt Busch at Daytona International Speedway”} asked his pregnant wife to “keep her legs crossed as long as she can” as he steps into the ring to race Sunday’s Daytona 500.
“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. But I will race (on Sunday),” Smith told the Kansas City Star.
Smith prepared Saturday in the No. 41 car, replacing Kyle Busch in the Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. NASCAR suspended Busch indefinitely Friday after a Delaware family court commissioner said that it was “more likely than not” Busch “committed an act of domestic violence” against ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll.
NASCAR placed Busch on {link:indefinite suspension: “http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2015/02/21/Smith-preps-for-Daytona-500-as-replacement-driver-for-Busch/4551424544607/”,nw, t: “NASCAR suspends Busch”} Friday after a Delaware family court commissioner concluded that “more likely than not” Busch “committed an act of domestic violence” against his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll. Earlier in the week, Commissioner David Jones granted Driscoll a protective order from Busch.
“We’ve got all the plans set up as to what’s going to take place and how it’s going to take place,” {link:said Smith: “http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/shake-and-bake/regan-smith-jr-motorsports-expecting-first-child-at-any-moment-021215″,nw, t: “Smith at media day”} at NASCAR’s media day. “It’s been a learning experience. Terrifying. Best word I can give for it. Terrifying. … I walked out of there (birthing class), and I’m not going to lie, I got a beer almost immediately.”
Smith made the announcement in October that he, and wife Megan, were {link:expecting a baby: “http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/blogs/inside-groove/regan-smith-baby-boy-expecting-spring-nationwide-series.html”,nw, t: “Regan Smith baby”} boy.
Smith isn’t the only athlete lately who has cut it close for a big sporting event. Seattle Seahawks cornerback {link:Richard Sherman: “http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/f034f59fbf8963b7c02e60d6b0fe9ee5/?ilink=1″,nw, t: “Super Bowl XLIX Media Day in Phoenix, Arizona”} played in Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, while girlfriend Ashley Moss was {link:expecting a son: “http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2015/01/30/Richard-Shermans-babys-arrival-could-coicide-with-Super-Bowl/6361422641670/”,nw, t: “Seahawks Sherman Super Bowl”}.
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