Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rookie Matt Tifft will not complete his rookie season for Front Row Motorsports after suffering a seizure this past Saturday morning at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
The Hinckley, Ohio native and his team released updates on Tuesday morning offering explanations of what transpired shortly before practice was supposed to begin. Tifft was taken from his hauler to the infield care center and quickly rushed to a local hospital.
He was released the same day and returned home to rest. Two-time Truck Series champion Matt Crafton stepped in and drove the car and finished in Sunday’s First Data 500.
Tifft followed up with his personal physicians on Monday, Oct. 28 who suggested he remain out of the seat for the remainder of the season.
Xfinity Series driver John Hunter Nemechek has been tapped to drive the team’s No. 36 Ford Mustang for the final three races at Texas, ISM Raceway (Phoenix) and Homestead. Sunday’s AAA 500 will mark Nemechek’s Cup debut.
“This isn’t the way any driver wants to make their Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut,” said Nemechek. “I am hoping that Matt feels better and can get back in his car as soon as possible. That is what is important. Hopefully, I can learn a lot and make Matt, the Front Row Motorsports team and its partners proud.”
While sidelined, Tifft will “consult with his doctors” and work with the NASCAR medical team to receive clearance to return to competition.
“We want to thank John Hunter for filling in Matt’s seat as he continues to recover,” said Jerry Freeze, general manager of Front Row Motorsports. “Our thoughts are still with Matt and his family. We feel that John Hunter can step up and do a great job for us as Matt heals.”
Tifft, 23 competed in 32 races this season and earned a career-best ninth-place effort at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in July. He posted a video update on Twitter to explain the situation:
Wanted to share an update with you all. Thank you for the support. pic.twitter.com/kOyQXTTwQn
— Matt Tifft (@matt_tifft) October 29, 2019
Before the Martinsville medical issue, Tifft had missed final practice at the August race weekend at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway with symptoms of vertigo but was able to qualify and race the next day.
In 2016, Tifft had successful surgery for the removal of a low-grade glioma in his brain.
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