Matt Tifft Taken to Hospital on a Stretcher, Will Miss Sunday’s Race

UPDATE October 26 1:45 PM ET

Front Row Motorsports has released a statement. Matt Tifft has been released from the hospital and has been sent home.

Team statement: pic.twitter.com/CeV3STsmus

— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) October 26, 2019

UPDATE October 26 1:30 PM ET

Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass has spoke with Front Row Motorsports’ General Manager Jerry Freeze about Tifft.

According to Pockrass, Freeze did not disclose the medical issue, but that he expected Tifft would be released from the hospital sometime Saturday afternoon.

Matt Tifft will not compete in the First Data 500 on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. Matt Crafton, who has practiced the car and will qualify it on Saturday, will drive the No. 36 car in the race.

Front Row Motorsports GM Jerry Freeze wouldn’t disclose the medical issue but said he expects Matt Tifft to be released from hospital this afternoon. Won’t race this weekend. Crafton will replace him for qualifying and race. #nascar @nascaronfox

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 26, 2019

For the second time this year, Matt Tifft appears to be missing out on track time due to medical issues. Earlier this season, it was a bout of vertigo that kept him out of the car for some practice. This week, things seem a bit more serious.

According to a report from Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Tifft was brought into the infield care center and was treated for some time. Eventually, he was placed on a stretcher and into an ambulance. Tifft has been taken to a local hospital.

Matt Tifft is being taken to the hospital. He was brought to the care center and was in there for a little bit before being put on a stretcher and into an ambulance. No word on condition or what happened.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 26, 2019

Currently, we have no info on what happened or what condition may have led to this.

However, Tifft’s medical history has been well known in NASCAR circles for years.

In 2016, Tifft underwent brain surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. That tumor was discovered while being treated for a back injury.

Tifft, who has one top-10 finish this season, sits 30th in the championship standings in his rookie campaign in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

Matt Crafton will fill in for Tifft in his absence. It appears Crafton will most likely practice and qualify the No. 36 car on Saturday and if Tifft is not cleared to drive in Sunday’s First Data 500, it should be Crafton who gets the nod.