The Reason

The Story Behind The Dead Pedal Dust Up

How a Family’s Journey Through Crisis Sparked a Community Movement

The idea for The Dead Pedal Dust Up traces back to 2022, inside a quiet room on the 11th floor of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. Justin and Koreyann Carlton had just been moved from the 10th floor after their infant son, Ridge, underwent his first major open-heart surgery.

While Ridge rested, the couple found themselves with long stretches of time to think, to stare out the window, talk through their fear, and process the whirlwind of the previous weeks. Nearly two hours from home and staying at the Ronald McDonald House across the street, they felt the weight of uncertainty. They missed their pets, their older son, Cade, and the comfort of home. They were overwhelmed by how suddenly life had changed—and equally overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers who offered help in every shape and form: financial donations, gift cards, stuffed animals, meals, snacks, and even hugs from staff who understood the emotional terrain of medical crisis.

A Pregnancy Without Warning Signs

Leading up to Ridge’s birth, nothing had hinted at the challenges ahead. Dozens of appointments, ultrasounds, and scans never suggested any abnormalities. Occasionally, technicians mentioned difficulty getting a clear view of Ridge’s heart, but always reassured the Carlton's it was simply his position—nothing more.

On the day before his due date, Ridge decided he was ready to arrive. Justin and Koreyann rushed to Covenant Hospital in Saginaw, where Koreyann labored for 18 hours. But when Ridge was born, the room fell silent. There was no newborn cry—only hushed, urgent conversations among nurses and doctors. Within seconds, he was whisked away.

The joyful moments they had imagined—photos, videos, introductions—were replaced by fear and confusion.

A Distressing Diagnosis

Ridge was transferred to the NICU, where his parents stayed by his side until they were urged to get some rest in a small room just big enough for two exhausted parents, the size of a closet. Tests revealed a daunting list of complications: masses on his brain and other organs, a paralyzed vocal cord, and most urgently, severe heart defects.

Doctors identified multiple VSDs and asds—holes between the heart’s chambers—and what they described as the largest PDA they had ever seen. A PDA, or patent ductus arteriosus, is a blood vessel that should close after birth; when it doesn’t, it overloads the lungs and heart. With Ridge’s PDA being exceptionally large, his symptoms were severe.

After five days in the NICU, Covenant doctors determined that Ridge required care beyond their capability. Mott Children’s Hospital was their top recommendation—but the transfer request was denied due to RSV season overcrowding.

The Carlton's fear intensified, until one Covenant cardiologist refused to accept the denial. Nurses later said they had never seen the normally soft-spoken doctor raise his voice or get angry. His insistence worked. A transport team flew to Saginaw and brought Ridge to Ann Arbor within hours.

A Fight for Life

The initial plan at Mott was to give Ridge a few days to stabilize before making decisions. But on his second day, alarms blared—Ridge coded. The room filled with medical staff as Justin and Koreyann watched helplessly from a corner, bracing for the worst. Doctors revived him and prepared for surgery the following day.

But just hours later, Ridge coded again. This time, there was no waiting. Surgeons and nurses were urgently called back—many from Michigan Stadium, where the Wolverines were playing Nebraska. At 6:15 p.m., Ridge was taken into emergency open-heart surgery.

For five agonizing hours, the family paced the waiting room. Finally, the surgeon emerged with news: the operation went well. Relief washed over the family in waves.

The road ahead would include more surgeries, more stays, and lifelong monitoring—but Ridge had made it through.

The Spark of an Idea

During the long days and nights that followed, as Ridge healed and the Carlton's watched over him, the seeds of The Dead Pedal Dust Up began to form. Both Justin and Koreyann had been lifelong automotive enthusiasts. They had restored classic cars together, attended countless car shows, and built a shared passion around all things automotive.

One day, Justin suggested an idea:
What if they created a car show to raise awareness for congenital heart defects?
What if they could support other families blindsided by medical crises—just as strangers had supported them?

They envisioned an event that honored Ridge’s journey, paid forward the kindness they had received, and provided financial support, toys, and essentials to families staying at Mott and the Ronald McDonald House.

And so, that day in the hospital, hours from home, The Dead Pedal Dust Up was born.

From Hospital Room to Community Event

Over the next year, the Carlton's poured their energy into planning. They brainstormed names and logos, refined themes, and scouted locations. Almost two years after the idea first surfaced in that hospital room, the inaugural Dead Pedal Dust Up came to life in October 2024.

Since then, Ridge has endured additional surgeries and hospital stays, with more expected in the future. But today, he is a thriving, joyful little boy—one who loves life, loves cars, and proudly loves The Dead Pedal Dust Up.

What began as heartbreak has grown into hope—a celebration of community, resilience, and the power of paying it forward.