Reddick: Son of NASCAR driver with tumor; affected heart

CONCORD, N.C. – Driver Tyler Reddick faced a tough test on Sunday, with his championship hopes on the line, after his wife recently revealed that their newborn son was diagnosed with a chest tumor affecting his heart.Little Reddick, the second child of Tyler and Alexa Reddick, was born in May. Alexa revealed last week that the baby has been dealing with serious health complications. The couple shared an update before Sunday’s race at The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Tyler was starting from the pole position and needed the win to stay in contention for the Cup Series title.Shane van Gisbergen took the win in the race, eliminating Reddick from the playoffs. Reddick finished in tenth position.After the race, Alexa Reddick posted an update on social media about her son’s condition. She explained that he has a “tumor that is ‘choking’ the renal vein and artery, telling the heart ‘Hey, I’m not getting enough blood… pump harder'”. This situation has caused an enlargement of the heart, and the 4-month-old baby will need to have a kidney removed because the doctors determined that it is no longer functioning correctly.

“He will undergo open surgery to remove his right kidney. We’re just not sure when,” Alexa wrote. “Waiting is okay at this point to give his heart a break while he’s on blood pressure medication. They’re 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

Alexa also added that her son was happy spending time playing with bubbles, playing and “interacting with every nurse and doctor who enters his room”.Tyler Reddick had kept the situation of his son’s health private until his wife made the news public before last week’s race at Kansas Speedway, where she revealed that the baby was at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte and was showing signs of heart failure.Reddick addressed his son’s health situation 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,” Reddick said. “That said, some of the toughest moments are definitely yet to come. We’re definitely not out of the woods. There are some things we have to get through first.”

Tyler ReddickReddick, 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,” Reddick said. “I’m going to go out and give my best while I’m here, certainly. For me, this week, the elimination, everything that’s going on in the racing world is in the background, as it should be.”

Tyler Reddick

Denny Hamlin, co-owner of Reddick’s car, said that 23XI Racing has provided support and has gotten involved to ensure the baby receives the best care.

“We’ve tried to do everything we can as a company to leverage every resource we can, to get second, third opinions, everything, put it in contact with specialists,” Hamlin said. “We feel, not a relief, but it’s a small relief that they now understand the path forward, instead of not knowing.”

Denny Hamlin

Reddick, for his part, expressed his gratitude for the support that he and his family have received and reflected on the emotional impact this has had on his family.The pilot thanked the help of many people and reflected on the emotional impact of the situation on his family.

“Countless people have helped,” Reddick said. “Countless people have reached out, provided support, whatever. It’s been really 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.”

Tyler Reddick