Reddick, NASCAR driver, faces tough battle: Tumor in his newborn son

In a weekend marked by emotion and uncertainty, driver Tyler Reddick competed with his championship hopes put to the test. His wife recently revealed that their newborn son was diagnosed with a tumor in his chest, affecting his heart. Rookie, the second child of Tyler and Alexa Reddick, was born in May. Alexa shared last week details about the serious health complications the little one is facing. Before Sunday’s race at The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Tyler started from the pole position and needed a win to stay in contention for the Cup Series title, the couple offered an update. Shane van Gisbergen took the victory, eliminating Reddick from the playoffs. Reddick finished in tenth position. After the race, Alexa Reddick posted on social media information about her Rookie condition. She explained that she has a “tumor that ‘strangles’ the renal vein and artery. It tells the heart ‘Hey, I’m not getting enough blood… pump harder'”. This has caused an enlargement of the heart, and the 4-month-old baby will need to have a kidney removed, as the doctors determined that it no longer works.

He will undergo open surgery to remove his right kidney. We are not sure when. Waiting is okay right now to give his heart a break while he is on blood pressure medication. They expect his heart to fully recover because it was just an innocent bystander. We have answers, but a journey ahead to bring our little Cookie home.

Alexa Reddick

Alexa also commented that her son was happy, playing with bubbles and interacting with the medical staff. Tyler Reddick had kept his son’s health situation private until his wife made it public before last week’s race at Kansas Speedway, where Rookie was at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte and showing signs of heart failure. Reddick addressed Rookie’s health in Charlotte.

Healthier probably isn’t the right word, but I’ve never seen him happier. His color looks good. He’s gained weight. A lot of things are going well. That said, some of the most difficult moments are definitely yet to come. We’re definitely not out of the woods. There are a few things we have to get through first.

Tyler Reddick

Reddick, who reached the final of last year’s championship, entered Sunday’s race below the cut line for 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.

For me, this weekend, where we are at points, is what it is. I’m going to go out and give it my best while I’m here, certainly. For me, this week, the elimination, everything that’s happening in the racing world is taking a back seat, as it should.

Tyler Reddick

Denny Hamlin, co-owner of Reddick’s car, stated that 23XI Racing has provided support and involvement to ensure the best care for Rookie.

We have tried to do everything possible as a company to take advantage of all the resources we can, to get second, third opinions, everything, put it in contact with specialists. We feel not a relief, but it’s a small relief that they now understand what the path to follow is, instead of not knowing.

Denny Hamlin

Reddick, for his part, expressed his gratitude for the support received and reflected on the emotional impact on his family.

Countless individuals have helped. Countless individuals have reached out, provided support, whatever. It’s been truly revealing. I agree with my wife, this is the most difficult thing I’ve had to go through. Certainly, being out [last week] wasn’t ideal. That was a decision my wife and I came to when I was in Kansas. It was going in the right direction. Yes, as I said, great things ahead that we have to fix, but over that past weekend, I was stable and going in the right direction. It was difficult to stay and compete [in Kansas], but we agreed on it. I really wanted to get off that plane on Sunday night and go back to the hospital.

Tyler Reddick