THE BLOG

I read Scarlets story. I am heartbroken for what you both had to go through. You truly are blessed with a miracle. Prayers to you and continued good health for Scarlet. She is beautiful.

So glad that your beautiful daughter is doing well. I was heartbroken to hear everything you and your family went threw. I will keep you all in my prayers. God bless your beautiful daughter.

It is good to hear a heartwarming story from you Brad. Hopefully this will give your haters a glimpse of the real Brad. I have been a fan since you drove for Junior. I appreciate your intelligence, your knowledge of the sport, and the respect you show those that deserve it. I pray for your baby girl, Paige, and you. Thank you for sharing with us.

To Brad, Paige and Scarlett- so happy that everything worked out and she is doing better! She’s a beautiful little girl and I wish you all the best!

So glad to hear that Scarlett is doing well. What a rough week that must have been. I don’t think there is anything worse then that helpless feeling you get when your child is sick. God was definitely with your family. What a great blog you wrote. Thanks for sharing it with us and the wonderful picture of the family.

I am so very happy your baby girl is doing well…In my heart I knew there was something wrong because you were not the typical new Dad…I pray she continue to do well

Kids are amazing, enjoy the heck out of her, it goes so fast. As her dad, you will know best how to take care of her- best of luck to your family.

WOW BRAD HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON JUST THOUGHT YU WERE VERY PRIVATE.BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL YU HAVE AND THE NEWS SHE IS OK IS JUST WONDERFUL!COULD NOT EVEN START TO IMAGINE WHAT YU GUYS WENT THROUGH. YOU ARE VERY BLESSED TO HAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS IN YUR LIFE AND YUR RACING CAREER SPEAKS FOR ITS SELF AMAZING!! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

Thank you for sharing the struggles that you and Paige went through. What a beautiful and powerful story of ‘love’. Baby Scarlett will now have the added prayers of everyone who is touched by your heartwarming story. So glad to hear that she is improving and doing so much better! Every win, is a win for your princess!

Beautifully written. So happy for you three that Scarlett is well. Congratulations!

I just cried big happy tears to hear that Scarlett is thriving since her surgery! As a mom of an infant who has been hospitalized 7 times and had 2 surgeries I understand the intense emotions of what you & Paige went through. My hope is that Scarlett will continue to grow & heal! I hope you and Paige will share glimpses of her as she grows up!
P.S. Tell Paige Arghh! Go Pirates!

Brad I’m so glad that little Scarlett is doing much better and that you and Paige as her parents didn’t give up the feeling that something wasn’t right and continued to push for answers. I understand why you wanted to keep little Scarlett’s life as private as you could for her sake when she grows up but I am glad that you have shared her story here and allowed us to see some pictures of her. I hope that your story can help another parent to never give up getting answers for your child. Congrats on the birth of Scarlett and I wish you and your family all the best and that Scarlett continues to do well.

So glad she is recovering and getting healthier. It’s a scary thing to have a new baby, then to have a new sick baby…. So glad ya’ll had the resources available to get her great care. Just remember to trust in God. He is always beside you. God bless and good luck at your next race. I’ll be cheering you on.

Well Dad Brad – That was an awesome read – So excited for you, Paige and Scarlett to be living in the moment and the scary part is over – Always trust and believe in Gods love for you and your wonderful family – and, enjoyed seeing Grandpa Bob in the picture – I know their excitement for being grandparents is the best ever – Take care and Hugs to you and your girls – Pat

Oh my, thank you for sharing this deeply personal story. I’m so happy to read that your beautiful baby girl is well and thriving. May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.

As I lay in the hospital for my daughter for the 6th stay this year, I was touched by your blog. As the parent of a child with significant health issues I completely understand your feelings. The not knowing is horrifying! I am happy that your found answers and hope we can eventually as well. I applaud you for advocating for your daughter and not giving up. We will never give up….and pray for another day to fight the battle. Enjoy your daughter and family as it is the greatest gift ever.

I have an Idea what you and Paige went through, my oldest son was born prematurely, at 28 weeks, He weighed 1 ;b*19 oz. I didn’t get to take him home when I left the hospital, I had to wait until he was at east 4 pounds or more, It took him from November 1997 until March 1998 go gain enough weight to come home and then I had to gibe him eight differing medications mixed in his formula to get and keep him hp healthy…..It just tears you apart knowing that there isn’t much you can do as a parent,,, I am glad that Scarlett is doing well,,,,Congratulations on your win in Kentucky and tour beautiful little girl….

Brad.Paige thank you for sharing your story so happy Scarlett is doing well. What a scary story had me crying for you guys. It is nice to your fans up dated with your family Brad you are special and your family is special. God Bless your family Cheryl

Brad.Paige thank you for sharing your scary story so happy Scarlett is doing well. What a scary story had me crying for you guys. It is nice to you shared with your fans Brad you are special and your family is special. God Bless your family Cheryl

Brad, thank you for taking the time to write this. I’m so thankful that Scarlett is fine and thriving. I knew you didn’t want her in the limelight. Know that you’ve got a huge fan base and we’ll all gladly say prayers for Scarlett’s continued healthy life. Just remember God and Family first!

Brad and Paige, thank you for sharing your story with us! Amazing story and a beautiful miracle baby. From now on, I will be looking for Scarlett in Victory Circle.

Hi Brad – I am not a big race fan, but you are my driver now! So glad you found your way to my home state, Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic for superb medical care. Happy Scarlett is doing well, and you all are stronger because of this episode. Much love to you, Paige and Scarlett.

May the Lord bless Scarlett and the two of you. These are the things that we as parents, grandparents go through after the Lord give us the children. Sometimes we carry a journey to open our eyes and remember that the Lord always provide and answer and heal. I will continue to pray for your bundle of joy and you guys. Thanks for sharing these story and I will keep you guys in my prayers. Blessings.

Glad to hear Scarlett is ok and that she is growing and thriving well.

Having a daughter with multiple birth defects that required numerous surgeries in the first month of her life (to attach her esophagus to her stomach and an open heart surgery a few weeks later) I completely understand how that moment of relief feels. It’s simply not easy to put into words. That being said, she is now 4 has had another open heart surgery last summer and she is a champion and a hero in my eyes. She always will be. It’s hard to figure out what they will want in life. We have decided to be advocates for her health problems and let people know that you can move forward in life….enjoy each day for what it is. If that means taking a few minutes to enjoy the smiling face of a little one who has become the nucleus of your life….than do it.

You truly write from you heart, Brad, which is so refreshing to read. Sometimes life changes and we don’t realize how fortunate we are through that change until it hits us between the eyes. May God continue to bless you and your family. Enjoy every precious moment you have with them.

Oh I am so happy for you and your family. I know how you were feeling when you were told the worse, I had to hear those words with my first daughter, I’m happy to say that my daughter is fine and now is 43. God bless and also congrats on your victory> Give your daughter a HUGE HUG AND KISS for me!! I’m hoping to see you when you come to Firekeepers casino.

From a Mother with a son born with Tracheomalacia, there are some things they don’t tell you. Most likely all of your child’s cartilage is super SOFT! Which will likely lead to ear infections and multiple sets of tubes. Which can lead to hearing loss if not caught early. The ear infections can lead to Speech issues and the speech issues can lead to CADP. This is not meant to scare you but to let you know that it isn’t just her airway you have to worry about. When she gets sick you will have to worry extra about her breathing because her airway is soft and “junk” will stick to it more easily. They say children “outgrow ” it by 24 months and maybe thats the case for most but my child is 11 and even though you rarely hear his stridor it has effected his whole life. You will not only want to shield her from other people but for the first couple of years you will have to shield her for her own health! There was little information or other families that I knew of that had this condition. I am glad you found someone who was able to identify it quickly. I wish you all the best in this new journey.

Thank goodness you got a second opinion. Never ever take the word of one doctor. We are all human and they to can makes mistakes. By the way, I love her name.

I know how you felt I was told when I was pregnant for my 2nd child I had a Dr that told me he was not gonna make it or would be deformed. So he wanted me to have a abortion I refused I had toxoplasmosis! ! This Dr would see me in the store as we live in a small town and remiding of this so I went to a different Dr well toxoplasmosis was rare back then so I had a lot of Dr visits My son was born 6lb 2 oz he was born with hypothyroidism it’s rare in a child they put him meds at 2 weeks and said he would grow he would be small well he is 5foot 9 inches a Allstars football player all though high school and he races at 2 local tracks and won a number of racesand now he is 27 years old!!! I was like you never give up!!!!!!!

You are SO blessed to have both Scarlett and her mom in your life. You have proven to the whole world that you are an extraordinary driver. Now you have shown us all your protective loving side. God bless and good luck in the future with your family and your career ….

Hi Brad I am from Nova Scotia about 21/2hrs from Riverside International Speedway. I spoke briefly with you at the signing of autographs. We joked about Kurt Busch running all the bad luck out of the 2. When you look back now about running for the IWK. This is our children’s hospital. I would tink it hits home more now that you had a scare with Scarlett. All the best to you and all of your families. May God bless you all and hold you all close to his heart.

VERY NICE ARTICLE. so happy everything turned out with Scarlett. Love the name! Best of luck with your racing , family and becoming a Dad!! Go BRAD! Come and see us!

What a horrible thing to have to go through. Nothing is more precious than our children. So happy that she is going to be OK and grow up to be a heartbreaker.

Brad & Paige, I have been your fan since day one! Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with such a great ending. You both showed what outstanding parents you are by seeking another opinion. I lived in Wi. and Mi. until I moved to NC in 2000 – the Mayo Clinic is tops and has helped my family. I also respect your decision to keep baby Scarlett’s life as private as possible; that tells everyone how much you both care about her well being. You are a wonderful family of three and keep fighting for that championship!!

So glad to hear about Scarlett’s positive experience after her surgery. Hope to see more of her at the races – especially in Victory Lane!!!!!

Thank you for sharing this with all of us. I am so happy Scarlett has over come her medical challenge. I cried with happiness reading your blog. Your blog also might help on of my employees with issues sounding the same with their daughter. We too live in North Carolina on Ocracoke Island. Their daughter has been flown off the island 4 times in the past 5 weeks with the same issues as well as taken off by ambulance as early as this past Monday. Their daughter was born without an esophagus and they doctors at Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughter had to make one for her. Your stories are very simiular with the eating and breathing issues. It might not relate at all but I am going to print this so they can call their doctor ask ask if Mary- Carmen Frances could be going through the same thing. Thank again for sharing this. God Bless you, Paige and Scarlett.

This is so sad to know that your baby girl got a rough start. But she is a fighter as her father is also. Doctors are angels amoug us. They believe in prayer and work with God by their side. She is so lucky to have hand Angels around to help her. God Bless your family.

What a scare that must have been especially when she was so little, so young, so fragile. My 14 year old, Eddie, is such a NASCAR fan. We’ve walked through some tough times with a rare life-threatening illness, too, called Loeys-Dietz Syndrome. Unfortunately, he will have to fight it head on for the rest of his life as there is only management available — not a cure. But what a blessing it is for celebrities and athletes like you to share your family’s health struggles and scares so he — and other kids like him — never feel alone. Thanks for sharing.

Hey Brad so very glad to hear your precious little Scarlett is doing well now. Thank you for sharing about her. As a parent who went through a similar experience, I do know the gambit of emotions you and Paige went through, it’s so very scary and such a helpless feeling. Thank God your baby is on the right path now. Enjoy and love her and each other.

This blog was posted at the perfect time. I’m going to Watkins Glen this weekend and I might not be able to meet anyone. But, if I were able I’d go up to you and Joey and aask you, “How’s Paige and Scarlett?” And I’d ask Joey, “How has Brittany been?” Just so I coul you know, say I got to meet y idols. I hope I can meet you, but if I can’t the experiance of actually seeing a race live and in person for the person would be absolutely amazing

Wow, had no idea! We will pray for you all. Nothing more heartbreaking than when ur child is sick!! Glad things r working out!

Being a first time parent is scary enough without complications. Glad the doctors were able to help Scarlett. When things like that happens to us we realize what is really important. Thanks for sharing. You have a beautiful family. Enjoy every minute with them!

Powerful blog Brad. Very moving. But so happy to hear that baby Scarlett is doing well now. Hope she continues to progress. She is bound to grow in love and happiness with you and Paige as her parents. You are both doing an awesome job. Not making a media sensation of her like some drivers do with their babies.
Whether you put her in front of the cameras or not, your job is to drive the car. We understand that. We love your family. We will continue to support you and pray for your sweet, beautiful baby Scarlett Grace!!!!!

I understand your wanting privacy through such an emotional time. Remember, your racing family will ALWAYS have your back. It’s what we do. xo

Brad the mother of your baby deserves to be called more than your girl friend!!!!!Take a look at yourself!!!!!!

This story really touched my heart and so glad that she is doing well and has overcome her medical problems. Wishing you all the best.

Wow what a scary time you went through. I am so glad all is well with beautiful Scarlett! Thank you for sharing your story. I am so glad Scarlett is healthy now. Thank God for the great doctors and hospitals in our country. I enjoy every race you are in! You have brought excitement back to Nascar!!! Every week I am on the edge of my seat biting my nails! Feeling another cup!!!

Well that was a beautiful story…I couldn’t figure out why you were being so private with her but now we all see…I am so glad you caught it in time and Scarlett is doing well now. Congrats on all you do man…u r one heck of a driver…got to meet you yrs ago when u drove the 88…went from Special K to Bad Brad…but you never changed you are still the same. Good Luck with your beautiful little one and Paige and the rest of the season.

So very glad thingns worked out for your baby girl! I’ve been a paitient at Mayo in Rochester for nine yrs. now, they saved my life. It is the only place i will go now.
God bless you and your family.

Hey Brad, Especially now that you’re a Father: Why don’t you grow a pair and get married to that sweet gal? Congratulations on little Scarlett’s prognosis!

Wow, I had no idea you two were going through this with little Scarlett. I’m keeping you all in my prayers.
You two are both amazing parents and she is one precious girl. I 100% understand why you wanna keep her private. I love seeing pictures when you post them she is a beautiful little girl.

Ain’ t much fer jawin’ Brad , This is my first ever comment , But I would like express my congrats to you and Paige for being God given parents, also and Thank God and medical science for all their help with Lil’ Scarlett . You only know me as a fan , but a different one. I see in you a real person as well as a race car driver. All the ugly things the media and other driver’s fans say and write are simply natures way to help them over come disappointment with their favorite drivers . It’s always been that way and always will. But what they really can’t stand is you being nice back to them in spite of their childish act . So keep up the good work as a race car driver and a good parent . Remember, while God is riding with you , be sure he’s buckled in good !

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful blessing of life. I am friends with Vanessa and Louis from Plymoith. I was so concerned when I didn’t see pictures of their sweet granddaughter. But something in my gutt told me to be.patient. I told myself to give it time and I would soon hear from them. I did and was so happy I gave them time. So happy! Bless this wonderful family.. God is wonderful.

My grandson was also diagnosed with the exact same thing. It was and is so hard. Mason is now four months old and still struggles with breathing he is better. But is scares us to death. He was in memorial hospital in mishawaka Indiana for over a month. They did every procedure possible to see what was wrong. My daughter do t know what to do but listen to the doctors they don’t have the money to go anywhere eles. I would love to here your little girls progress. I will keep her in my prayers please keep our little Mason in yours. Thank you Susan Kyle

So happy to hear about your daughter and your gratitude for the people at the Mayo. My wife and I are headed there in about a week for an ailment that has plagued her for 5 months. Doctors are at a loss. Do you have any advise or words of encouragement for us? Bless your family and may health always be with you.

Congratulations Brad. For everything. I’m an adoptee and my kids were desperately important to me. I don’t know how you could even concentrate on your races this year going through the ordeal you did. I’m filled with happiness for you all- may Scarlett and your family be blessed. And congrats on your racing success. You’re one of my favs (my dad’s family were Michiganders, I’m the only one in my family not mid-west born). Stay safe and be blessed.

Your heart and sentiment shows when you talk about Paige and Scarlett. Further reasons why you’re my favorite driver. Not to mention your driving abilities and your go-getter attitude. Outspoken? Maybe. But you just tell it like it is. Reminds me of my long, long-time favorite driver, Rusty Wallace. I like that you drive the same car, still for Roger. Maybe the good Lord was looking ahead, putting you at Penske, with whose involvement you got Scarlett to the Mayo Clinic. I know what is like to find out what your priorities really are. Keep being yourself!

As a parent, I have been there. My wife and I were told that our seemingly healthy daughter had a virus at birth which would cause her brain to calcify, leading her to go blind, then deaf, paralyzed, she would become unable to eat, then basically her body would stop accepting all nourishment and she would die. Holding our three week old daughter in the doctors office that day, being told to expect absolute suffering for this precious child was the sickest and weakest moment my wife and I had ever experienced. Our pediatrician is a friend of the family, my wife worked for him during nursing school, and he was crying having to deliver us this diagnosis. He had already sought a second a third opinion before we met with him. I stared into my daughter’s eyes, and I saw so much life in her. I told our pediatrician his diagnosis may be accurate, but his prognosis for my daughter was wrong. We only told our parents, kept this a secret from our siblings and family. After a year of doctor appointments, numerous brain scans, and meeting milestones, or daughter was given an all clear. Only then did we tell our whole families what we had been experiencing. Her neurologist told us she was the first child born with the virus that was a patient of hers which was able to walk, let alone have perfect vision and hearing. Each year for her checkups, she passes all her tests, and now at the 5 year mark we are free of the brain scans. Our daughter is perfect (in our eyes at least), and her pediatrician tells me every time he sees us that he was glad I had the faith to tell him he was wrong. We were fortunate God answered our prayers, so many parents aren’t as blessed as we were. I hate that you and Paige had to experience this, but I am so thankful your family was able to beat this. When we get a second chance with our children that we weren’t “supposed” to have, we see life from a brand new perspective. Hug her extra tight every day, and enjoy every milestones she reaches. Children really are miracles. Good luck BK.

Just saw her picture for the first time!! She is absolutely precious!! Thank God she came through the surgery and is OK now!! Enjoy her every moment because they grow up so fast!! <3

I have been a Brad fan since the beginning…I am a junior fan, and have been watching you since he brought you in. I am sooo glad to hear that your daughter is going to be ok…I am a parent of two grown children that have recently blessed me with two grandsons..my newest grandson Robbie was in NICU at a month old with a virus that had him soo congested he couldn”t breath…scariest week of my life…bless you, and Paige, and baby Scarlett. I will continue to follow your little family and your progress on the track…Love you guys <3

Great ending to this story. What is disturbing to me is why the doctors before Mayo didn’t just say they didn’t know for sure what the problem was and recommend Mayo.

I’m thrilled your daughter is fine now.

Thank you for changing my thoughts about you as a person and NASCAR driver. Nice to see the true side of you and your caring for your daughter and placing her #1 in your life. My thoughts to you and your family.

BK: I remember what you said in the Sirius commercial. “I didn’t come here to lose…I came here to win.” And that’s exactly what you did when you made the right decision to pursue a cure for your daughter’s illness; you went to the Mayo and won. God bless you, young man. And my wife and I wish you and Paige the sweet fruits of your daughter’s successes in life. You both will have your successes, but as a parent you will relish your daughter’s life’s triumphs more than your own.