TOLEDO, Ohio (May 7, 2016) – Time is ticking away like crazy for two-time Cometic Crew Chief of the Year Chad Bryant. Leading the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship standings with rookie driver Chase Briscoe, he’s no doubt got a lot on his mind. But that’s only the small stuff compared to what, or who, is coming.
“I’m waiting on a call any moment,” said Bryant from Friday’s testing at Toledo Speedway.
“My wife Yeyliana and I are having a little girl…Madilynn Rose. We were engaged in July and expecting our first child any day. The actual due date is May 19, but Yeyliana’s had some complications. Everything’s good, but she’s been under strict surveillance, and if we need to deliver right now, then that’s what we’ll do.”
Of course, the next race on tour – the Menards 200 at Toledo Speedway May 21-22 – hovers right around a very critical time for the expecting parents.
“I’m on the fence with this…could get the call literally anytime at this point. If she hasn’t had the baby by Toledo, then I’ll be here, but it’s all up in the air.”
Fortunately, Bryant’s got one of the best back-ups in the industry ready to fill in if it comes to that.
“Paul (Andrews) will be ready. We couldn’t be more covered.”
If Andrews were to fill in, and thereby shift from the 22 to the 77 to cover for Bryant, then Jeff Caudill would more than likely fill in for Andrews on the 22 at Toledo, which works out nicely considering Caudill has been crew-chiefing for Myatt Snider on the late model side. Snider, the son of longtime NASCAR broadcaster Marty Snider, is making his ARCA debut at Toledo in the 22.
However this shakes out, it will ultimately be determined not by Bryant, not by Cunningham Motorsports, not by a schedule at Toledo, but by Madilynn Rose, when she decides to make her grand appearance.
“I’ll be there for the birth…that’s my plan,” Bryant added. “But if she has her on the 21st (May, day before Menards 200), I’ll be here (Toledo). It’ll be a fight to be here, but I’ll be here. I’m really looking forward to it (having the baby that is)."
Don Radebaugh dradebaugh@arcaracing.com
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