Tyler Reddick Races with Heart on the Line
Pilot Tyler Reddick faced a crucial race, with championship hopes on the line, after his wife revealed the diagnosis of a tumor in their newborn son’s chest. The little one, born in May, is facing serious health problems, according to his mother. The couple shared details about the situation before the race at The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Shane van Gisbergen took the victory, eliminating Reddick from the playoffs. Reddick finished in tenth position. Reddick’s wife, Alexa, shared on social media that the baby has a tumor affecting the renal vein and artery, causing the heart to overwork. This has led to an enlarged heart and will require the removal of a kidney.In addition, she shared that her son remains cheerful, playing and interacting with the medical staff. Reddick had kept his son’s situation private until his wife made it public before the race at Kansas Speedway. In Charlotte, Reddick commented on his son’s health. “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,” Reddick said. “That said, some of the toughest moments are definitely ahead. We’re certainly not out of the woods. There are some things we need to get through first. “So, on the one hand, I am very happy and it makes me feel very good that he is doing much better at this moment, but we certainly have some obstacles we have to get through first before even thinking about leaving the hospital or thinking about what comes next.” Reddick, who reached the championship final last year, began the 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’re at, is what it is,” Reddick said. “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 going on in the racing world is taking a backseat, as it should be.” Denny Hamlin, co-owner of Reddick’s car, said that 23XI Racing has provided support and has gotten involved so that the Rookie receives the best attention. “We’ve tried to do everything we can as a company to leverage all the resources we can, to get second, third opinions, everything, put it in contact with specialists,” Hamlin said. “We feel, not relief, but a small relief that they now understand what the path forward is, compared to not knowing.” “I can’t imagine being in his place. He has a lot to think about. I’m sure he’s probably breathing a bit of a sigh of relief that he’s still going there to do his job at a high level, given the whole off-track situation.” Reddick started alongside van Gisbergen, who won for the fifth consecutive time on a road or street circuit. The New Zealander was the big favorite, and any driver hoping to avoid elimination from the playoffs needed to beat van Gisbergen. Meanwhile, Reddick thanked for the support that he and his family have received and reflected on the emotional impact this has had on his family. “Countless people have helped,” Reddick said. “Countless people have reached out, provided support, whatever. It’s been really eye-opening. I agree with my wife, this is the hardest thing I’ve had to go through. … Certainly, being absent [last week] wasn’t ideal.“He is going to have surgery to remove his right kidney. We are not sure when,” she wrote. “Waiting is okay right now to give his heart a break while he is 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
