Remember Matt Tifft? The youngest team owner in Cup Series history? Yes, that Matt Tifft, who sadly had to put his racing career on pause for a brain tumor in 2019. Well, this past Saturday, the 28-year-old made his glorious return to pavement racing in an ASA STARS Super Late Model race at Toledo Speedway.
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He was racing for 10th when Billy VanMeter of EDCO Welding spun him out early, leaving his car helpless in the path of an on-coming Evan Shotko. Tifft’s race was over after the ensuing contact. Naturally, he was unhappy with the perpetrator of his misfortunes. So when he made his way to the pit box of the VanMeter, most anticipated he’d gone there to talk it out with his rival. Instead, what followed was a full-blown brawl that left Tifft with a boot in his face, and a bloody nose, courtesy of a member from VanMeter’s race team.
And although the culprit has been rightfully suspended for his violent actions, his apology is falling on deaf ears inside the collective racing community.
Bloody brawl in ASA Toledo opens up a pandora’s box of trouble
Flaring tempers are not new to motorsport, where the margins of mistakes and their consequences can turn lethal in a second. But to harm a fellow human being intentionally cannot be justified, no matter the stage, the prize, or the occasion. Matt Tifft believed he could’ve finished top-10 in the Glass City 200. Sure, he probably had his reasons for being mad at VanMeter. But could he have waited a little longer to have that conversation? Maybe, although none of us can truly ascertain what went through his mind at that moment. But what VanMeter’s crew member did as other individuals tackled Tifft to the ground was downright shameful, if not goonish.
Why Matt Tifft wasn’t off the hook either
However, what he said next, revealed a more complete picture of the issue. “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,” stated VanMeter. “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.”
It sure looks like this story has plenty more developments to unfold soon. But to condone actions filled with violence only makes the world an undesirable place for those living in it. Of course, the regional scene sees its fair share of controversial atrocities. Should it get any better for the future generations? 100 percent, although incidents like this will only make that an even more distant reality.