Matt Tifft’s Shocking Encounter: Attack by Rival NASCAR Team in Ohio

This past weekend, former NASCAR Cup Series driver Matt Tifft found himself in a rough situation at a race in Toledo, Ohio. Currently racing in the ASA STARS National Tour, Tifft got caught up in a heated incident following a crash with seventh-place finishers Billy VanMeter and Even Shotko.

When Tifft approached the VanMeter team to address the collision, things escalated quickly. Members of the team turned aggressive, dragging Tifft to the ground and one person delivering a brutal kick to his face while he was on the ground.

During the chaos, a voice from the opposing crew ominously said, “Get outta here, you came to the wrong place.” Even after the attack, a bloodied Tifft stood his ground, advocating for sportsmanship by stating, “Just don’t take everybody out man.”

Tifft later took to social media to express his frustration. In a tweet, he shared a video of the incident, saying, “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.’

In an interview, Tifft remarked, as noted by Sports Illustrated: “That’s about as low as it gets. I don’t think I would press charges for myself, but we need to ensure that the Late Model series, which young racers enter, is safe from dangerous individuals.”

Tifft has navigated a challenging racing career, competing in 32 NASCAR Cup Series races in 2019 and also taking part in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series. However, his racing journey faced a major hurdle when he was diagnosed with epilepsy, leading to his withdrawal from racing after suffering a seizure during a race in Martinsville.

Now, Tifft has shifted gears and is making a mark as the co-owner of Live Fast Motorsports, becoming the youngest owner in the Cup Series at just 24 years old.