Amidst the competition and adrenaline of the races, driver Tyler Reddick faced a tough personal battle that tested his hopes in the championship.
An Unexpected Family Challenge
Recently, Reddick’s wife 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 and has since faced serious health complications.Before the race at The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Reddick started from the pole position, the couple shared an update on the Rookie’s condition. The little one’s medical situation forced him to compete with his heart in his hand.
Shane van Gisbergen took the victory, which left Reddick out of the playoffs, finishing in tenth position. The tumor 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, as doctors determined that it no longer works. The family prepares for open-heart surgery to remove Rookie’s right kidney. Meanwhile, the little one receives medication for blood pressure, hoping his heart will fully recover. Despite the difficult situation, Rookie finds joy in his day-to-day life, interacting with the medical staff and enjoying moments of play. Tyler Reddick had kept his son’s situation private until his wife made the situation public before the race at Kansas Speedway. Reddick commented on Rookie’s health in Charlotte:Reddick acknowledged that there are still challenges ahead and that they are far from being out of danger. The Sunday race reduced the group of competitors from 12 to eight, eliminating Reddick, Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, and Austin Cindric. Reddick expressed that, given the situation, the competition takes a back seat. Denny Hamlin, co-owner of Reddick’s car, highlighted the support provided by 23XI Racing, seeking the best medical attention for Rookie. Hamlin expressed relief to know that there is a way forward and acknowledged the difficulty of the situation for the family. Reddick, grateful for the support received, reflected on the emotional impact on his family. Reddick expressed his gratitude for the support received and shared that this situation has been the most difficult he has faced. The driver also mentioned the decision to compete in Kansas, noting that it was a joint decision with his wife, and that he wanted to return to the hospital to be with his son.Although it’s not the right word, I’ve never seen him so happy. His color looks good. He’s gained weight. Many things are going well.
Tyler Reddick
