NASCAR Driver Tyler Reddick Racing Amid Infant Son’s Health Battle
Tyler Reddick is competing in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs while his infant son undergoes treatment for a tumor in his chest.Reddick recently returned to racing after missing a race in Kansas to be with his family as his son’s condition stabilized.
“So, on one hand, I’m really happy, and it makes me feel great that he’s doing much better right now, but certainly we have some hurdles we have to get through frist before we’re even thinking about leaving the hospital or thinking about what comes next,” Reddick said.
The driver acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “All that being said, some of the tougher moments are definitely ahead. We’re definitely not in the clear. There are some things we need to get through first.”
Reddick entered Sunday’s race below the cutline for the eight-driver playoff field, which was trimmed from 12. He was among the four drivers eliminated after the race, alongside Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, and Austin Cindric. Despite the playoff implications, reddick emphasized his priorities.
“For me,this weekend where we’re at in points,it just is what it is indeed,” Reddick said. “I’m going to go out there and give it my best effort while I’m here certainly. For me, this week, the elimination, everything that is happening in the racing world is taking a back seat, as it should.”
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of Reddick’s car at 23XI Racing, highlighted the team’s support. “We’ve tried to do everything we could as a company to tap into all the resources that we possibly can, to get him second, third opinions, all the things, get him in contact with specialists,” Hamlin said. “We feel not a relief, but it is a little relief that they kind of understand now what the path is forward, versus, kind of not knowing.” hamlin added, “I could not imagine being in their places.”
Reddick expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. “Just countless individuals have helped out,” he said. “countless individuals have reached out, provided support, whatever it might be. It’s been really eye-opening. I agree with my wife, this is the hardest thing that I’ve had to go through.”
Reddick and his wife decided he would return to racing in Kansas after his son showed signs of stability. “That was a decision me and her came to a conclusion on when I was in Kansas. He was going in the right direction. yes, like I said, big things ahead that we have to fix, but for that past weekend, he was stable and going in the right direction. It was arduous to stay and race [at Kansas], but we were on the same page about it. I just wanted to get off that plane so bad on Sunday night and get back to the hospital.”
The race was won by Shane van Gisbergen, his fifth consecutive victory on a road or street course.
