Matt Tifft to make return from brain surgery at Chicagoland
After missing more than 10 weeks following brain surgery, driver Matt Tifft will return to competitive racing this weekend in the Camping World Truck Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.
Tifft underwent the surgery to remove a low-grade glioma on July 1. Joe Gibbs Racing released a statement at the time saying the slow-growing tumor was found during treatment and evaluation for a recent disc condition in Tifft's back.
Although Tifft will drive in this Friday night's Truck Series race for Red Horse Racing, the plan is for him to eventually return to the full-time XFINITY Series ride he began the season with as driver of the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Tifft's surgery was declared a success and Tifft continued his rehabiltation efforts by testing this week at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina. He also has been working his way back by using a simulator at his home that is so cool, you almost wonder why he wants to come back to the track.
Huge thanks to @carolinasimworx for their awesome work on this simulator setup!! pic.twitter.com/pZ799VM9o3
— Matt Tifft (@Matt_Tifft) September 12, 2016
Nothing beats the real thing, though, and Tifft also tweeted that he's looking forward to this weekend.
Tifft has made six starts in the XFINITY series in the No. 18 JGR Toyota this season, with a pair of eighth-place finishes back-to-back at Talladega and Dover marking his best efforts. He also won the pole in qualifying for the race at Talladega.
A number of drivers have subbed for him while he's been sidelined, including Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan.
Tifft turned 20 years old shortly before his surgery and made his XFINITY Series debut last year at the age of 19 at Kentucky Speedway, where he finished 10th. He also has made 18 stars over the last three years in the Camping World Truck Series, with one top-five and seven top-10 finishes.
Testing at Hickory! Thanks for all the support, I am returning to @ChicagolndSpdwy this wknd with @RedHorseRacing!! pic.twitter.com/cpcmsgvcFr
— Matt Tifft (@Matt_Tifft) September 12, 2016
