Former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft reacts to penalties for himself, 'chickenshit' Bryan Glaze
Former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft, EDCO Welding crew member Bryan Glaze and EDCO Welding driver Billy VanMeter were penalized by the ASA STARS National Tour Monday for their respective roles in the pit road fight during Saturday’s race at Toledo Speedway.
The pit road incident occurred after VanMeter spun Tifft out early in the race, which prompted him to confront VanMeter at his pit stall. Tifft was quickly tackled to the ground before Glaze kicked him in the face.
In accordance with the ASA member code of conduct, Tifft received a $250 fine, a loss of 25 ASA STARS National Tour and ASA/CRA Super Series Championship Driver Points and a stay on probation for the remainder of the calendar year for all ASA and CRA sanctioned events, according to Matt Weaver of Short Track Scene.
Glaze has been suspended indefinitely from all ASA and CRA sanctioned events. EDCO Welding received a $2,000 fine and a loss of 25 Owner Points. Both owner and team have been placed on probation for the remainder of the calendar year. Glaze was already on probation for fighting in last month’s Masters of the Pros JEGS Tour race at Owosso Speedway.
Tifft said that he accepts the penalty and is appreciative that ASA took action against Glaze.
“I accept these fines and understand my penalty for my involvement,” Tifft wrote on X. “But, I’m very glad to see @racewithstars taking the right steps and kicking out someone who doesn’t need to be in the pits. Well done.”
Matt Tifft reacts to getting kicked in face in ‘chickenshit’ pit road fight
In a video posted to X Monday, Tifft, sporting a black eye from the incident, called Glaze’s kick a “chickenshit move.”
“First of all, I went over there to go confront the driver. I wasn’t not expecting a fight — that happens,” Tifft said. “But what’s a chickenshit 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.”
VanMeter, meanwhile, was docked 25 points and placed on probation for the remainder of the calendar year. He issued a publicly apology on Facebook after ASA announced the penalties. VanMeter said that Glaze is “no longer involved with the team.”
“I, Billy VanMeter, my race team, and family want to take a moment and apologize for the situation that took place at Toledo Speedway Saturday night. We have taken steps internally and Bryan Glaze is no longer involved with the team,” VanMeter said. “Additionally, I as a driver am going to take all of this and try to grow and mature on and off the track.
“I was hit by Matt Tifft, he entered my pit as I stood next to my car, said ‘WTF’ and hit me, no one’s seeing that side of the story, it’s unfortunate how it turned out for all involved. We as a team want to apologize to our fans, sponsors, Toledo Speedway, the officials, drivers, STARS National Tour, and ASA. We accept the penalties and will learn from this and better as a driver and team.”