Johnson hits bumps on road to parenthood

CONCORD, N.C.

Four-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson says he didn't anticipate his wife's pregnancy to be like this.

Johnson's wife, Chandra, is due to deliver the couple's first child in July. Johnson said his wife has had morning sickness.

"I didn't realize that morning sickness was really an all-day sickness," Johnson said. "It's not just that it's in the a.m. She's had a rough go of it. Seems to be doing a lot better now."

Johnson also said that in the most recent ultrasound images, they can see the baby arms and legs moving. It's too early, though, to determine the baby's gender, Johnson said.

Some critics wonder if that child can do what no driver's done for four years - stop Johnson from winning the championship. He knows he's in for a significant life change but doubts it will adversely impact him in the car.

"Only time will tell," he said. "I think in some lives... it can slow things down. For myself, I really don't think so. I remember when I was getting married and there was a big comparison of drivers before marriage and after and clearly after being married, things have went along better for me.

"There's no telling what type of experience being a parent is going to be, I know I have (wife) Channi's full support to chase my career and what I need to do."

Gibbs signs Kyle Busch

Joe Gibbs Racing officials announced that they have signed Kyle Busch to a long-term contract. No details were released. Busch's contract was to have ended after this season.

"I feel like this is a very good place to be," Busch said. "I'm looking forward to the best in the years to come. I can't feel that I can be anywhere else and have as good of relationship as I have" with car owner Joe Gibbs and team president J.D. Gibbs.

Spoiler details emerge

Bobby Hutchens, director of competition at Stewart-Haas Racing, said teams are hearing from NASCAR what the rear spoiler will look like.

NASCAR is expected to replace the rear wing with a spoiler sometime this season. Hutchens said the spoiler will be 4 inches tall at the center and with an angle of about 70 degrees. NASCAR will have teams test the spoiler in March at Charlotte. The results could alter the spoiler's final dimensions.

Also, NASCAR has extended a fin that runs alongside the rear window down the left side. It now extends to the rear wing. It is set to be used for the restrictor-plate races only to help keep the cars from getting airborne as often.

Pit passes

Former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is scheduled to attend the Daytona 500. She has a speaking engagement in Daytona the following day.... Stewart-Haas Racing will provide a pit crew for Bobby Labonte's team at TRG Motorsports.... Kyle Busch said he had to convince Toyota that his ownership of a Camping World Truck series team would not impact his Cup performance.... Ryan Newman says he has races available for primary sponsorship on his car for this season.... Goody's has extended its deal to sponsor both Martinsville Speedway Cup races through 2012.... Watkins Glen is spending more than $1 million on improvements. Among the changes are adding SAFER barriers in some locations and paving over some of the gravel traps to give drivers more run-off room.