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Matt Tifft out of surgery, operation ‘went exactly as planned’

NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 - Qualifying

TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 30: Matt Tifft, driver of the #18 NOS Energy Drink Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 30, 2016 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

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There’s great news for fans of Matt Tifft and Joe Gibbs Racing.

NBCSN’s Marty Snider reported just prior to Friday night’s Subway Firecracker 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race that Tifft is recovering well following surgery to remove a tumor in his brain.

“The day they discovered that brain tumor, they tested it for cancer, which turned up negative,” Snider reported. “Matt wanted to stay in the car, but doctors wanted to do the surgery right away. In fact, that surgery was tonight.

“And good news, Joe Gibbs Racing officials just told me that Matt Tifft is out of surgery, the doctors said it went exactly as planned and that he’s resting comfortably.”

It’s unclear how long Tifft will need to recover and how long he’ll remain out of his race car.

David Ragan is filling in for Tifft in Friday night’s race and started from the pole position.

Sam Hornish Jr. replaced Tifft two weeks ago at Iowa Speedway and wound up taking home the victory.

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