Matt Tifft Kicked During Local Short Track Altercation; Considering Pressing Charges
UPDATE #2 - Monday, September 16th at 4:00pm ET:
In a Facebook post, Bryan Glaze, the crew member who kicked Tifft in the head in the altercation said the following:
"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. I 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."
UPDATE #1 - Monday, September 16th at 1:30pm ET:
On Monday, Matt Tifft shared another video to social media, confirming that he is indeed alright after being kicked in the head during an altercation at Toledo Speedway on Saturday, but that's he is reconsidering pressing charges against the crew member.
Tifft says that he wasn't expecting a fight to break out as he was walking over to VanMeter, looking to confront him regarding an early-race incident, but said it was a "chicken shit move" by the crew members who threw him on the ground, only for someone to come around and kick him, while on the ground.
"That's about as low as it gets," Tifft added. The 28-year-old driver says that he declined the opportunity to press charges against the crew member when asked at the racetrack on Saturday, but in the time since, he reconsidered his stance.
"I don't think I would press charges for myself," said Tifft. "But, what I don't like is 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 lane who is dangerous and obviously something's wrong with him."
In this particular video, Tifft didn't confirm whether or not he would be pressing charges against the individual, only that he was reconsidering his initial stance.
This past weekend, former NASCAR driver and team owner Matt Tifft made his return to asphalt circle track racing in the ASA STARS National Tour event at Toledo Speedway.
Saturday's Glass City 200 marked the first time since 2019 that the Fairfax, Virginia-native had competed on a paved oval, after his rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series came to a halt a half-decade ago.
Things didn't exactly go to plan, though, as Tifft was taken out in an early-race incident with eventual seventh-place finisher Billy VanMeter and Evan Shotko. Needless to say, Tifft wasn't overly pleased about the incident. After the race was finished, the former NASCAR driver approached VanMeter. That's where things get a little bit messy.
On Sunday, Tifft shared a video to X (formerly Twitter) showing him approaching VanMeter post-race when a physical altercation broke out, with the driver in his street clothes being put into a headlock and taken to the ground before another member of the VanMeter team walks to his other side and kicks him directly in the face.
Had a great race until getting wrecked by someone who went on to take out 3 more cars. Can’t stand people with no respect for others' equipment. Always a good sign when several teams thank you after confronting them. Hopefully the last time getting 'VanMetered.’ pic.twitter.com/qIIudnKto1
— Matt Tifft (@matt_tifft) September 15, 2024
The ASA STARS National Tour has yet to confirm the identity of the crew member who kicked Tifft in the altercation before scurrying away, but an individual in the same circles as VanMeter and his crew has identified the crew member in question as Bryan Glaze.
In the post, Tifft writes: "Had a great race until getting wrecked by someone who went on to take out three more cars. Can't stand people with no respect for others' equipment. Always a good sign when several teams thank you after confronting them. Hopefully, the last time getting 'VanMetered'."
Tifft spent many years involved in the NASCAR Cup Series, starting as a full-time driver in 2019 before a seizure caused him to faint at the racetrack. After being taken to the hospital the now 28-year-old was diagnosed with epilepsy, forcing him to step away from racing.
Last August, after a successful Late Model test, Tifft returned to competition at Marshfield Speedway and Golden Sands Speedway. This year, though, Tifft elected to keep his schedule strictly to dirt tracks and road courses, until Saturday.
JOSEPH SRIGLEY