September 16, 2024

ASA Glass City 200 Penalty Statement Released

Post-race penalties have been levied following the ASA STARS National Tour Glass City 200 at Toledo Speedway on Saturday, September 14, 2024.

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.

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.

ASA sanctioned events include the ASA STARS National Tour, ASA/CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour and ASA Southern Super Series. Champion Racing Association events include the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour, CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and CRA Street Stock Series.

–per ASA STARS National Tour press release

The penalties levied against the drivers and crew member are a result of an altercation between the two parties after Billy VanMeter made contact with Matt Tifft early in the Glass City at Toledo Speedway.

The contact in question sent Tifft for a spin, ending his day after Evan Shotko made hard contact with Tifft’s no. 57 machine.

Tifft made his feelings known to VanMeter and crew after the race concluded.

“Had a great race until getting wrecked by someone who went on to take out 3 more cars,” wrote Tifft in a X/Twitter post. “Hopefully the last time getting ‘VanMetered.’”

Said post featured video of Tifft being on the receiving end of a kick to the face from Bryan Glaze, Billy VanMeter’s crew member.

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

According to a social media post, Glaze put out an apology stating 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 my free time to make sure I can do my part to grease the wheel. I also want to apologize to Billy, Ed & Donna [VanMeter], Vandoorn Racing and all of our sponsors.”

Billy VanMeter released a statement to his Facebook page.

“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. 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.”