The altercation began earlier in the race when VanMeter spun Tifft out on the track, an event that would set the stage for the subsequent conflict. After the race, Tifft, clearly upset by the on-track incident, decided to approach VanMeter’s pit stall to confront him. What began as a heated discussion quickly spiraled into a physical fight between the two drivers. As tensions flared, Glaze, a crew member for VanMeter, intervened and tackled Tifft to the ground. The situation took a more violent turn when Glaze kicked Tifft in the face while he was down, causing a bloody nose and a black eye for the former NASCAR driver.
Tifft later took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to address the incident and provide reassurance to his fans. In a message to his followers, he shared an update on his physical condition, stating, “First off, I’m okay. Nothing broken, just got that [black eye].” Despite the injuries, Tifft’s primary concern wasn’t for himself but for the broader implications of the violent encounter, especially within the context of the racing community.
While Tifft acknowledged that physical confrontations can sometimes happen in the heat of the moment, he expressed strong disapproval of the way the situation was handled, particularly Glaze’s actions. “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,” Tifft said, emphasizing that such behavior crossed a serious line. He described the act as one of the lowest things a person could do, highlighting the unacceptability of attacking someone who is already down and defenseless.
Although Tifft was initially asked at the track whether he wanted to press charges, he declined at the time. However, upon further reflection, Tifft began to reconsider his stance on the matter. While he stated that he wasn’t necessarily inclined to press charges for his own sake, his concern lies with the future of the sport, particularly with regard to younger drivers who are coming up through the ranks. “What I don’t like is the fact that in that series of Late Model racing, a lot of 13, 14, 15-year-old kids come up through there,” Tifft explained. He stressed that allowing dangerous individuals like Glaze to remain in the pit area could pose serious risks to these young drivers and the overall safety of the sport.
Tifft went on to express his thoughts about the broader impact of such incidents on racing, especially in a series where young talent is being nurtured. He mentioned that the decision to press charges was not something he would take lightly, but it was something he was seriously considering due to the potential consequences for the sport. “We don’t need somebody like that in the pit area who’s dangerous and obviously something’s wrong with him,” he stated. Tifft added that while he enjoyed racing in the series and planned to continue, the behavior displayed during the altercation was unacceptable and had no place in the sport.
Despite the incident, Tifft remains committed to racing in the ASA STARS National Super Late Model series. He conveyed his enthusiasm for the cars and the racing experience but reiterated his disappointment with how the situation was handled. The former NASCAR driver pointed out the risks involved when drivers and crew members exhibit reckless behavior, especially when significant amounts of money and effort are invested in the sport. “A driver who takes out $200,000 worth of equipment and crew guys like that—they’ve got no place in our sport,” Tifft remarked, emphasizing the seriousness of such actions.
In response to the widespread attention the incident garnered, Bryan Glaze took to Facebook to issue a public apology. In his post, Glaze expressed deep regret for his actions, acknowledging that his behavior was unacceptable. He explained that he had reacted out of anger, believing that Tifft had knocked his brother, Billy VanMeter, unconscious. Glaze’s emotional connection to his brother, for whom he sacrifices much of his free time to support in racing, was central to his reaction, but he admitted that it was no excuse for the violence that ensued.
“I acted in a manner that isn’t acceptable and wish I could change it,” Glaze wrote in his apology. He expressed his disappointment in himself and took full responsibility for his actions. Glaze also extended his apologies not only to Tifft but to his brother Billy, the VanDoorn Racing
Former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft has recently spoken out following a violent altercation during the ASA STARS National Super Late Model race at Toledo Speedway. The incident, which occurred on a Saturday, escalated into a physical confrontation involving Tifft, fellow driver Billy VanMeter, and a member of VanMeter’s crew, Bryan Glaze. The heated situation ultimately led to Tifft being tackled and receiving a kick to the face, which has prompted him to consider legal action for the safety of the sport.
The altercation began earlier in the race when VanMeter spun Tifft out on the track, an event that would set the stage for the subsequent conflict. After the race, Tifft, clearly upset by the on-track incident, decided to approach VanMeter’s pit stall to confront him. What began as a heated discussion quickly spiraled into a physical fight between the two drivers. As tensions flared, Glaze, a crew member for VanMeter, intervened and tackled Tifft to the ground. The situation took a more violent turn when Glaze kicked Tifft in the face while he was down, causing a bloody nose and a black eye for the former NASCAR driver.Tifft later took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to address the incident and provide reassurance to his fans. In a message to his followers, he shared an update on his physical condition, stating, “First off, I’m okay. Nothing broken, just got that [black eye].” Despite the injuries, Tifft’s primary concern wasn’t for himself but for the broader implications of the violent encounter, especially within the context of the racing community.
While Tifft acknowledged that physical confrontations can sometimes happen in the heat of the moment, he expressed strong disapproval of the way the situation was handled, particularly Glaze’s actions. “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,” Tifft said, emphasizing that such behavior crossed a serious line. He described the act as one of the lowest things a person could do, highlighting the unacceptability of attacking someone who is already down and defenseless.
Although Tifft was initially asked at the track whether he wanted to press charges, he declined at the time. However, upon further reflection, Tifft began to reconsider his stance on the matter. While he stated that he wasn’t necessarily inclined to press charges for his own sake, his concern lies with the future of the sport, particularly with regard to younger drivers who are coming up through the ranks. “What I don’t like is the fact that in that series of Late Model racing, a lot of 13, 14, 15-year-old kids come up through there,” Tifft explained. He stressed that allowing dangerous individuals like Glaze to remain in the pit area could pose serious risks to these young drivers and the overall safety of the sport.
Tifft went on to express his thoughts about the broader impact of such incidents on racing, especially in a series where young talent is being nurtured. He mentioned that the decision to press charges was not something he would take lightly, but it was something he was seriously considering due to the potential consequences for the sport. “We don’t need somebody like that in the pit area who’s dangerous and obviously something’s wrong with him,” he stated. Tifft added that while he enjoyed racing in the series and planned to continue, the behavior displayed during the altercation was unacceptable and had no place in the sport.Despite the incident, Tifft remains committed to racing in the ASA STARS National Super Late Model series. He conveyed his enthusiasm for the cars and the racing experience but reiterated his disappointment with how the situation was handled. The former NASCAR driver pointed out the risks involved when drivers and crew members exhibit reckless behavior, especially when significant amounts of money and effort are invested in the sport. “A driver who takes out $200,000 worth of equipment and crew guys like that—they’ve got no place in our sport,” Tifft remarked, emphasizing the seriousness of such actions.
In response to the widespread attention the incident garnered, Bryan Glaze took to Facebook to issue a public apology. In his post, Glaze expressed deep regret for his actions, acknowledging that his behavior was unacceptable. He explained that he had reacted out of anger, believing that Tifft had knocked his brother, Billy VanMeter, unconscious. Glaze’s emotional connection to his brother, for whom he sacrifices much of his free time to support in racing, was central to his reaction, but he admitted that it was no excuse for the violence that ensued.
“I acted in a manner that isn’t acceptable and wish I could change it,” Glaze wrote in his apology. He expressed his disappointment in himself and took full responsibility for his actions. Glaze also extended his apologies not only to Tifft but to his brother Billy, the VanDoorn Racing
