Joe Gibbs racing makes other plans as Denny Hamlin may not be able to race this weekend


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Denny Hamlin may not be in his familiar seat in the No. 11 Toyota.

He very well could miss this weekend's race at Watkins Glen for a very understandable reason -- his longtime girlfriend , Jordan Fish, is nearing her due date, and he could be a dad at anytime.

Regan Smith is on call, and he has a history of backing up drivers. He's subbed in the past for Aric Almirola Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson, to name a few.

Hamlin is already firmly in the playoff picture -- he's sixth -- so missing this race won't matter much -- especially if he becomes a new dad, which matters much more.