Since a medical emergency at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday morning, Matt Tifft has been sidelined for the remainder of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. Three races remain, for which NASCAR Xfinity Series regular John Hunter Nemechek will serve as Tifft's substitute behind the wheel of the #36 Front Row Motorsports Ford.
"We want to thank John Hunter for filling in Matt's seat as he continues to recover,” Front Row Motorsports general manager Jerry Freeze said. "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 explained via his Twitter account [@Matt_Tifft] that he felt his tongue cramp while he was in his team's hauler making coffee. He had a seizure and was transported via stretcher from the hauler to Martinsville's infield care center. He, then, was transported to an area hospital. He was released from the hospital later in the day and returned home to North Carolina. NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series driver Matt Crafton subbed for Tifft at Martinsville.
Tifft missed Xfinity Series races in 2016 after undergoing surgery for the remover of a non-cancerous brain tumor. According to Tifft, he is not suffering an issue related to the tumor.
“There’s nothing there as far as my brain tumor,” he said.
Sunday's race at Texas Motor Speedway will be Nemechek's Cup Series debut.
"This isn't the way any driver wants to make their Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut,” Nemechek said. "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.”
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