Reddick: Son of the NASCAR driver, with a chest tumor and complications

In a weekend marked by emotion and uncertainty, driver Tyler Reddick competed with his hopes in the championship at stake. Reddick’s personal situation, who recently revealed that his newborn son was diagnosed with a tumor in his chest affecting his heart, added a layer of complexity to the competition. Rookie, the son of Tyler and Alexa Reddick, was born in May. Alexa shared the news of her son’s health complications last week. The couple provided an update 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. Shane van Gisbergen took the victory in the race, eliminating Reddick from the playoffs. Reddick finished in tenth position. Alexa Reddick shared details on social media about Rookie’s condition after her husband’s classification, explaining that he has “a tumor that is ‘choking’ the renal vein and renal 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 functions. “He will undergo open 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 hope his heart will fully recover because he was just an innocent bystander. We have answers, but a journey ahead to bring our little Cookie home.” 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 it public before last week’s race at Kansas Speedway, when she revealed that Rookie was at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte and was 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 field was reduced from 12 to eight after the race. The final four: Reddick, his 23XI Racing teammate, Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, and Austin Cindric, were eliminated. In Reddick’s words:

For me, this weekend, where we are at points, is what it is. I’m going to go out and give 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 be.

Tyler Reddick

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

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

Denny Hamlin

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 expressed gratitude for the support he and his family have received and reflected on the emotional impact this has had on his family.

Countless people have helped. Innumerable people 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 away [last week] wasn’t ideal.

Tyler Reddick

Reddick’s decision to compete in the Kansas race was made in conjunction with his wife, considering the stability of Rookie at that time. Reddick added that his priority was to return to the hospital as soon as possible.