Tyler Reddick Competes Amid Adversity for His Son’s Health
The driver Tyler Reddick faced a crucial race on Sunday, with his championship aspirations at stake, while his family dealt with a difficult personal situation. His wife recently revealed that their son, Rookie, was diagnosed with a chest tumor that is affecting his heart. Rookie, the second child of Tyler and Alexa Reddick, was born in May. Alexa shared last week that the baby has been dealing with serious health complications. The couple updated the situation before the race at The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Tyler was starting from the pole position and needed the victory to stay in contention for the Cup Series title. Shane van Gisbergen took the victory in the race, eliminating Reddick from the playoffs. Reddick finished in tenth position. After the race, Alexa Reddick shared an update on social media about Rookie’s condition, explaining that she has a “tumor that is ‘choking’ the renal vein and artery. It tells the heart ‘Hey, I’m not getting enough blood… pump harder'”. According to Alexa, this has caused an enlargement of the heart and the 4-month-old baby will need to have a kidney removed because doctors determined that it no longer works.Furthermore, he added that his son was happy spending time playing with bubbles, playing, and “interacting with every nurse and doctor who enters his room.” Tyler Reddick had kept his son’s health situation private until his wife made the news public before last week’s race at Kansas Speedway, where she revealed that Rookie was at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte and showing signs of heart failure. Reddick spoke about Rookie’s health in Charlotte.He will undergo open surgery to remove his right kidney. We’re just not sure when,” she wrote. “Waiting is okay at this point to give his heart a break while he’s on blood pressure medication. They are hoping his heart will fully recover because it was just an innocent bystander. We have answers, but a journey ahead to bring our little Cookie home.
Alexa Reddick
Reddick, who reached the championship final last year, entered Sunday’s race below the cut line of the drivers. The group was reduced from 12 to eight after the race. The last four: Reddick, his 23XI Racing teammate, Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric, were eliminated. Denny Hamlin, co-owner of Reddick’s car, said that 23XI Racing has provided support and participated in obtaining the best care for Rookie. Reddick, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for the support he and his family have received and reflected on the emotional impact this has had on his family. The information about Reddick’s career continues…Healthier probably isn’t the right word, but I’ve never seen him so happy. His color looks good. He’s gained weight. A lot of things are going well,” Reddick said. “All that being said, some of the toughest moments are definitely ahead. We’re definitely not out of the woods. There are some things we need to get through first.
Tyler Reddick
