Bryan Glaze, Billy VanMeter and Matt Tifft punished after ASA-Toledo conflict – Short Track Scene

Updated: Statement from Billy VanMeter; separation from Bryan Glaze published at the end of the story

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The ASA has penalized all parties involved in the brawl following the Glass City 200 on Saturday night at Toledo Speedway in Ohio.

This all stems from an incident on lap 47 when Billy VanMeter rear-ended Matt Tifft, causing a crash that also caught Evan Shotko. VanMeter was later involved in a similar incident where he collided with Brian Campbell and took out Chase Burda.

Tifft wanted to talk to the VanMeters, and the matter escalated into a physical altercation in which the former Cup Series racer was wrestled to the ground and kicked in the head by crew member Bryan Glaze.

The following penalty notice was issued by the sanctioning authority:

Matt Tifft's actions were deemed to be a violation of the ASA STARS National Tour General Rules, Section 1 Conduct, Rule 1 Unsportsmanlike Conduct and the General Rules, Section 1 Conduct, Rule 5 Fighting. The rider was assessed the following penalties:

– Fine of $250
-Loss of 25 ASA STARS National Tour and ASA/CRA Super Series Championship Driver Points
– The driver will be placed on probation for all ASA and CRA sanctioned events for the remainder of the calendar year.

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The actions of crew members of EDCO Welding, owner of the No. 23 ASA Super Late Model driven by Billy VanMeter, violated 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 of EDCO Welding is a repeat offender, which results in enhanced penalties. The car owner/team was assessed the following penalties.

– One 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 will be placed on probation for all ASA and CRA approved events for the remainder of the calendar year

Glaze was already on probation for a fight at the Masters of the Pros JEGS Tour race at Owosso Speedway last month and was suspended indefinitely for repeat offense.

The driver of the No. 23 ASA Super Late Model, Billy VanMeter, engaged in a driving style that resulted in an excessive number of on-track incidents during the season. Billy VanMeter was found to be in violation of ASA STARS National Tour General Rules, Section 1, Conduct, Rule 6, “Riding with Vigor.” The driver was assessed the following penalties.

– Loss of 25 ASA STARS National Tour and ASA/CRA Super Series Championship Driver Points.
– Driver Billy VanMeter will be placed on probation for all ASA and CRA sanctioned events for the remainder of the calendar year.

The following section of the rulebook was used to determine the violations committed:

BEHAVIOR

1. When entering a restricted area, all participants must conduct themselves in a manner that does not harm the stock car race. Profanity towards race fans, officials, management, offensive signs or lettering on cars, etc. will not be tolerated and may result in penalties for the violator. Behavior on social media that is deemed harmful to the series, track, officials or sponsors may result in sanctions for the driver or team. UNSPORTSMANLY CONDUCT AND/OR ACTIONS DETRIMENTAL TO AUTO RACING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
2. The general appearance of drivers and crew members must be neat and clean.
3. A competitor who stops his car on the track to argue or discuss an incident with the starter or other officials may be subject to a penalty.
4. Verbal or physical abuse of officials, including inappropriate language or actions, will result in sanctions from the circuit.
5. Fighting will not be tolerated. Drivers will be held responsible for the conduct of all persons associated with their car, including but not limited to crew chiefs, crew members, spotters, family members, sponsors and guests. Any person from a crew, including the driver, who walks into another pit area or any area of ​​the track premises where an altercation is taking place will be considered to have been involved in the incident. The driver and all crew members involved may be subject to penalties, fines, point deductions, probation, suspension and up to and including loss of the ASA license.
6. Any driver who, in the judgment of the race director, drives recklessly, deliberately crashes into, blocks or swerves in front of another car may be penalized. Any car that deliberately blocks the track will result in the immediate and permanent exclusion of the owner and driver from the series.
7. Any driver who intentionally causes a caution situation by stopping, skidding or any other action without endangering safety will face a two-lap penalty.
8. Crew members are not permitted to enter the race track at any time. Pit crew, drivers or series/track officials are not permitted to carry out any maintenance work on vehicles on the race track without the express permission of the race director.
9. No one is allowed to enter the control tower at any time without permission. Severe penalties are possible. The race director will be available at the end of the night.
10. In order for the participant to be able to participate in the competition again, all fines must be paid in full.

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Billy VanMeter posted the following statement on his Facebook page:

“I, Billy VanMeter, my race team and my family would like to take a moment to apologize for the situation that occurred Saturday night at Toledo Speedway. We have taken steps internally and Bryan Glaze is no longer with the team. Beyond that, as a driver, I will accept all of this and try to grow and mature on and off the track.

“I was hit by Matt Tifft. He came into my pit as I was standing next to my car, said 'WTF' and hit me. Nobody sees that side of the story. It's unfortunate how it turned out for everyone involved. We as a team would like to apologize to our fans, sponsors, Toledo Speedway, officials, drivers, STARS National Tour and ASA. We accept the penalties and will learn from them and get better as drivers and a team.”