Former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft has spoken publicly following a violent altercation at the ASA STARS National Super Late Model race at Toledo Speedway.
The incident, which took place on Saturday, involved a heated confrontation between Tifft and fellow driver Billy VanMeter, culminating in Tifft being tackled and kicked in the face by VanMeter’s crew member, Bryan Glaze. Tifft is now contemplating legal action for the safety of the sport.
The volatile sequence of events began early in the race when VanMeter spun Tifft out on the track. Tifft later approached VanMeter’s pit stall to confront him about the incident. This confrontation quickly escalated, with a physical altercation ensuing. Tifft was taken down and received a kick to the face from Glaze, resulting in a bloody nose and a black eye.
Addressing the incident on the social media platform X, Tifft reassured his followers about his condition, stating:
Erik Jones, driver of the #20 DeWalt Toyota, leads Matt Tifft, driver of the #36 Delaware Lottery/Surface Ford, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway on October 06, 2019 in Dover, Delaware. Matt Tifft considers legal action after brutal attack.
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
“First off, I’m okay. Nothing broken, just got that [black eye]. But wanted to address something from all the comments and people asking me if I am going to press charges. First of all, I went over there to go confront the driver. I wasn’t not expecting a fight — that happens.
“But what’s a chickens*** move really is getting thrown on the ground and then somebody coming up and kicking someone while they’re on the ground and that’s about as low as it gets.”
Despite initially declining to press charges at the track, Tifft expressed deep concern about the implications for younger racers in the series.
“At the track, they asked me if I wanted to press charges. I initially said no but looking back on it, I don’t think I would press charges for myself. But what I don’t like is the fact that that series of Late Model racing, a lot of 13, 14, 15-year-old kids come up through there. And we don’t need somebody like that in the pit area who’s dangerous and obviously something’s wrong with him.’
“I’ve been thinking about it more,’ he added. ‘We’ll see. Let me know what you guys think I should do but we’ll see what happens there. I will be back and racing the series. Had a lot of fun driving those cars. But a driver who takes out $200,000 worth of equipment and crew guys like that. They got no place in our sport.”
In a public apology posted on Facebook, Bryan Glaze acknowledged his unacceptable behavior and expressed regret, commenting:
“I’m sure by now everyone has saw the video going around I first of all want to apologize to Matt Tifft. I acted in a manner that isn’t acceptable and wish I could change it.
“I truly and honestly thought he just knocked my little brother Billy out. Reacted outta anger which by any means isn’t acceptable. I can promise you one thing I’m very disappointed in myself and my actions.
“Billy isn’t just a driver he’s my little brother that I sacrifice all of my free time to make sure I can do my part to grease the wheel. I also want to apologize to Billy, Ed & Donne, Vandoorn Racing, and all of our sponsors.”
