“After a run around for months with the pediatrician’s office, I knew what was going on was something bigger. Always trust your mom gut. Our sweet Rookie was showing signs of heart failure that were being missed,” Alexa DeLeon shared on social media a couple of months ago. While Reddick was preparing for race 2 in the Round of 12, their five-month-old son, Rookie, was in the cardiovascular ICU at Levine Children’s Hospital.

After multiple tests, it was revealed that Rookie had a tumor that was choking his renal vein & renal artery. The growth had caused his heart to enlarge, leaving surgery as the only option. Now, as Rookie continues to recover from the life-saving procedure, Tyler Reddick has opened up about the ordeal, his son’s resilience, and the long road to healing.

Tyler Reddick shares update on Rookie’s health post-surgery

Tyler Reddick recently opened up about the difficult health battle his infant son, Rookie, has faced. “They found a tumor in and around his right kidney, which was causing heart failure, high blood pressure, all sorts of complications,” Reddick said. Rookie’s blood flow was being blocked due to the mass on his right kidney. It was making it tougher for the heart to pump and circulate the blood, eventually enlarging it.

It all began just weeks after Rookie’s birth, when he started showing subtle signs of distress. Despite several visits to the pediatrician, the underlying issue went unnoticed. Trusting her “mom gut,” Alexa decided to take Rookie to Levine’s. Luckily, the doctors were able to identify the issue at hand quickly.

This led to Rookie being kept in intensive care and advised to undergo surgery to remove the tumor and ultimately his kidney, which was carried out a couple of weeks ago. “Poor little guy had to have surgery to have the tumor and ended up having his kidney removed.” Despite the severity, Tyler praised Rookie’s resilience and his wife, Alexa’s, strength. “He’s [Rookie] handled it like a champ. My wife’s handled it like a super mom, honestly,” Reddick revealed.

However, while the worst appears behind them, Reddick cautioned. “I think we still have a couple other things to see through in regards to stomach and some other things that might be a separate issue that he’s still dealing with. We’re still not 100% in the clear.” Importantly, Rookie has made impressive progress after the surgery.

He’s home now and recovering quickly. His speedy recovery and spirited nature have brought relief and hope to the family amid ongoing challenges. Through this emotional journey, Tyler and Alexa expressed gratitude for family, friends, and the support of the NASCAR community. Their focus remains on Rookie’s continued healing and return to health, drawing strength from each small victory.

We, too, wish Rookie a speedy recovery!

2026 Daytona 500 winning odds

As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season approaches, betting odds reveal some surprising favorites and emerging contenders for the Daytona 500. Tyler Reddick, known for his aggressive driving and consistency in recent seasons, stands out as a notable contender with +2500 odds. Historically, Reddick has performed well at Daytona, with a win and multiple top-5 finishes, making him a favorite.

However, leading the odds are Team Penske drivers Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano. Both are holding +1000 odds, reflecting their strong track records on superspeedways and previous Daytona wins. Close behind are Austin Cindric and Brad Keselowski, again both tied at +1400. They are followed by William Byron, the 2025 Daytona 500 winner, at +1600 odds.

Fan favorites Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson sit at +1800, underscoring their continued competitiveness despite their Daytona win droughts. Other veterans like Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin sport +2000 odds, emphasizing a deep field of potential victors. If we look at qualifying, then Tyler Reddick’s odds to secure the pole position sit at +4000.

He sits alongside drivers like Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, and Carson Hocevar, highlighting the unpredictability of qualifying battles at Daytona. Chase Briscoe, a strong qualifier, leads pole odds at +350, while Joey Logano (+600) and Ryan Blaney (+700) follow.

The Daytona 500, scheduled for February 15, 2026, remains NASCAR’s most prestigious race with an open field ripe for surprises. Reddick’s rising odds and the depth of talent promise an electrifying start to the season. Will Reddick’s momentum from the 2025 season carry him to a 2026 Daytona victory, or will the favorites continue their quest for glory? Fans are eagerly anticipating one of NASCAR’s most thrilling races.