Matt Tifft comments after getting kicked in the face at Toledo Speedway
On Saturday, the ASA STARS National Tour raced at Toledo Speedway. The late model event brought drama.
Watch the video below.
Former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft made his return to late model racing. It was his first late model start since 2019.
Tifft exited the race after an early race incident with Billy VanMeter and Evan Shotko. Tifft waited for the race to finish when he approached VanMeter.
The crew members stepped in fast.
“Hey, what the f***!”
“I got him, I got him!”
“Get outta here.”
“You came to the wrong place.”
Just as officials surrounded the scene, Tifft was taken to the ground by a crew member. A separate crew member then kicked him in the face.
“That’s very uncalled for!”
“I don’t give a f***!”
“I’m good.”
After getting kicked in the face, Tifft was helped back to his feet. He then returned to the driver stated, “Just don’t take everybody out man.”
Tifft added, “I just wanted to go give him a little piece of my mind.”
The 28-year-old ran full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series during the 2019 season.
Matt Tifft comments after the altercation
“Had a great race until getting wrecked by someone who went on to take out 3 more cars,” Tifft stated via social media.
“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.’ “
“For all the haters who have secretly wanted to kick me in the face, here ya go!”
Josh Bilicki reacted to the video, “Wow. What a piece of shit. I’m sorry to see this dude. You did absolutely nothing wrong going over there and handled it much better than 99% of other drivers would have.”
Tifft responded, “Thanks brother. I’d say I’d bring you in for backup but we both need bigger help.”
Update: Penalties issued by ASA
ASA has issued the following statement:
Matt Tifft Penalty
“At the conclusion of the race, the driver of the #57 ASA Super Late Model, Matt Tifft, entered another team’s pit area, #23 EDCO Welding, resulting in an altercation between the two parties deemed as fighting. The actions of Matt Tifft have been found to be in violation of ASA STARS National Tour General Rules, Section 1 Conduct, Rule 1 Unsportsmanlike Conduct, and General Rules, Section 1 Conduct, Rule 5 Fighting. The driver has been issued the following penalties.”
– Fine of $250.
– Loss of 25 ASA STARS National Tour and ASA/CRA Super Series Championship Driver Points
– Driver placed on probation for the remainder of the calendar year for all ASA and CRA sanctioned events.
Billy VanMeter Penalty
“The actions of crew member(s) from EDCO Welding, car owner of the #23 ASA Super Late Model driven by Billy VanMeter, have been found to be in violation of ASA STARS National Tour General Rules, Section 1 Conduct, Rule 1 Unsportsmanlike Conduct, and General Rules, Section 1 Conduct, Rule 5 Fighting. A crew member from EDCO Welding is a repeat offender resulting in heightened penalties. The car owner/team have been issued the following penalties.”
– A crew member, Bryan Glaze, has been suspended indefinitely from all ASA and CRA sanctioned events.
– Fine of $2,000.
– Loss of 25 ASA STARS National Tour and ASA/CRA Super Series Championship Owner Points.
– Owner and team placed on probation for the remainder of the calendar year for all ASA and CRA sanctioned events.
“The driver of the #23 ASA Super Late Model, Billy VanMeter, has engaged in driving that has resulted in an excessive number of on-track incidents during the season. Billy VanMeter has been deemed to be in violation of ASA STARS National Tour General Rules, Section 1 Conduct, Rule 6 Rough Driving. The driver has been issued the following penalties.”
– Loss of 25 ASA STARS National Tour and ASA/CRA Super Series Championship Driver Points.
– Driver, Billy VanMeter, placed on probation for the remainder of the calendar year for all ASA and CRA sanctioned events.
Update: Matt Tifft comments after the altercation
“Nothing broken, just got that,” Matt Tifft pointed to his black eye.
“Wanted to address something from all the comments, if I am going to press charges. First of all, I went over there to go confront the driver. I was not expecting a fight.”
“That happens. But, what’s a chicken-shit move, really. Is getting thrown on the ground and then somebody coming up and kicking someone while they’re on the ground. That’s about as low as it gets.”
“At the track, they asked me if I wanted to press charges. I initially said no. But, looking back on it. Honestly, I don’t think I would press charges for myself.”
“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 area who’s dangerous.”
“I’ve been thinking about it more. We’ll see.”
“I had a lot of fun in that series. But, a driver that takes out $200,000 worth of equipment and crew guys like that, they got no place in our sport.”
