NASCAR winner, once told he’d never compete again, is back at Talladega

As a sports enthusiast, I find the story of Ty Dillon Reed incredibly inspiring. At just 17 years old, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and was told he wouldn’t be able to compete at a high level in racing. But that didn’t stop him. Instead, it fueled his determination to prove the doctor wrong. And boy, did he ever! He went on to win not one but two races at Daytona International Speedway, opening up both the 2015 and 2017 seasons.

If Ryan Reed had followed his doctor’s recommendation, he would have abandoned his NASCAR aspirations about 15 years back.

This weekend, instead of continuing with his current endeavors, he’s going back to compete in the Truck Series at Talladega Superspeedway as a seasoned NASCAR veteran. He will be driving the No. 91 Chevrolet for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in the Love’s RV Stop 225 event, marking his first race of the year.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel it’s perfectly appropriate that the 31-year-old racer, hailing from Bakersfield, California and a full-time competitor in the Xfinity Series between 2014 and 2018, is gearing up for this Friday’s 85-lap race on the four-turn, 2.66-mile (4.281-kilometer) high-banked track in Lincoln, Alabama. This endeavor carries the backing of Tandem Diabetes Care.

In 2021, Tandem supported Reed, a Type 1 diabetic, for a one-time race in the Truck Series at Darlington Raceway. They teamed up again last October when he competed in his first Xfinity Series race in five years at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

However, none of these achievements would have transpired if he hadn’t braved the odds, encountered a physician who shared faith in him despite earlier dismissals, and utilized the unwavering support from his loved ones upon receiving the diagnosis at seventeen years old.

Reed shared with “Beyond the Flag” that receiving the diagnosis was quite challenging for him. He explained that being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes isn’t easy under any circumstances, but when you have a demanding profession like motorsports, it can make the diagnosis even more daunting or frightening.

Back in 2011, I received a diagnosis. That’s quite some time ago, and technology has significantly advanced since then, but I believe there are valuable insights to be gleaned from the experience.

1st Point: Hearing that I wouldn’t race anymore was absolutely devastating, filled with intense despair and uncertainty. At just 17, I was terrified about what my future held. I had uprooted my life to move across the country, chasing a dream and passion that meant everything to me.

What I had been striving for all this time, and still working towards, was suddenly threatened by an illness I neither understood nor invited – Type 1 diabetes. This wasn’t a consequence of my lifestyle or choices, but rather something beyond my control. So, it’s incredibly hard to accept that the very dreams and aspirations you cherish could be taken away by circumstances over which you have no power.

everything took a turn for the better once he discovered the ideal physician, someone he credits with being indispensable to his survival.

Luckily, I managed to discover an exceptional doctor named Anne Peters, who has played a crucial role in my journey and life. Without her, I’m unsure if I would have returned to racing again.

However, I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had an incredible family who stood by me during those tough times. They were exceptional in teaching me the values of self-discipline and perseverance. There were numerous factors at play that helped me push through, and I certainly didn’t face these challenges alone.

A young Reed made it his goal to prove the naysayers wrong and continue on his career path to becoming a NASCAR driver.

With racing experience in NASCAR since 2011, five full seasons at NASCAR’s second tier, two victories at Daytona International Speedway, and a sixth-place finish in the Xfinity Series championship, it’s clear that persistence has brought significant success.

Reed declared, “Indeed, at seventeen, I yearned to show that physician was mistaken, without a shadow of a doubt. I longed for it. If I had won Daytona, I hoped he was there to witness it.

But not specifically for Reed’s own sake, he says.

“It’s generally best not to assume or predict people’s capabilities based on their health conditions. Instead, focus on educating and providing information.

At the start of both the 2015 and 2017 seasons, Reed claimed his initial and subsequent career victories respectively, at Daytona, when he was just 21 years old.

The array of technology in healthcare today left my doctor unaware of certain advancements like Continuous Glucose Monitors and various insulin treatments. This was disheartening as I felt let down by the information I received from someone I trusted, especially since I’m a minor and relied on their professional expertise. However, it’s important to remember that there are many dedicated professionals in the medical field who educate themselves about these advancements, and for that, I am grateful.

It’s not just Reed who excels as an athlete despite having Type 1 diabetes; there are also numerous racers who manage to compete at the top level.

As a gamer, I can’t help but draw parallels between the racetrack and my virtual worlds. One of my close pals, Conor Daly from the IndyCar Series, happens to be battling Type 1 diabetes just like me. We’ve swapped countless tales about our experiences, finding inspiration in each other’s resilience. Sharing tips on managing our conditions during races has been a part of our camaraderie. There are so many incredible stories out there from people like us who navigate life and competition with diabetes.

Miguel Paludo is another skilled race car driver who has been with Type 1 for quite some time. I’ve recently come to know Chad Muma, an NFL athlete from the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he’s an exceptional young man, who works tirelessly, and serves as a fantastic role model and inspiration.

In my younger years, I came across a captivating story about Gary Hall, an Olympic swimmer. He was one of the individuals whose life journey inspired me greatly. There are numerous others who paved the way and served as pioneers, essentially leading the charge within the diabetes community.

But it’s not just other athletes whom Reed is looking to inspire.

I truly believe that over time, I’ve shown something meaningful on the racing stage to someone. There are countless other stories, and more will keep emerging. I witness inspiring tales of young individuals, excelling in various fields – sports, education, or even everyday dedication like regular gym-goers.

These inspiring tales often highlight extraordinarily fit people. However, if you’re dealing with diabetes, you’re aware of the struggle just to step out for 90 minutes on many days. I believe that while athletes frequently grab the limelight, there are countless individuals who simply rise each day and bravely confront this challenge, finding happiness amidst it all. I think their resilience and zest for life should be recognized and applauded, as diabetes is indeed a tough adversary.

📺 Tune in to Fox Sports 1 for the live broadcast of The Love’s RV Stop 225, happening this Friday, October 4th at Talladega Superspeedway from 5:00 p.m. ET. Don’t miss out on all the action! Sign up now with FuboTV for a free trial and join the fun!

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2024-10-04 20:02