Bryan Glaze, Billy VanMeter and Matt Tifft penalized after ASA Toledo conflict

Updated: Billy VanMeter statement; parting ways with Bryan Glaze posted at the bottom of the story

—

The ASA has penalized all parties involved in the post-race scuffle that transpired 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 drove into the back of Matt Tifft causing a crash that also collected Evan Shotko. VanMeter later was involved in a similar incident in which he connected with Brian Campbell and collected Chase Burda.

Tifft went to have a conversation with the VanMeters and it escalated into a physical conflict 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 statement was issued by the sanctioning body:

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

Glaze was already under probation for fighting last month in the Masters of the Pros JEGS Tour race at Owosso Speedway and was thus indefinitely suspended for his repeat violation.

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.

The section of the rule book below was used to determined which infractions were committed:

CONDUCT

1. Upon admittance to a restricted area, all participants must conduct themselves in a manner not detrimental to stock car racing. Profanity in front of race fans, officials, management, profane signs or writing on cars, etc., will not be tolerated and may subject the offending party to penalties. Conduct in social media deemed detrimental to the series, track, officials, or sponsors may subject the driver or team to sanctions. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT AND/OR ACTIONS DETRIMENTAL TO THE SPORT OF AUTO RACING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
2. General appearance of drivers and crews must be neat and clean looking.
3. A competitor that stops his or her car on the track to argue or discuss an incident with the starter or other officials may be subject to penalties.
4. Verbal or physical abuse of officials, including improper language or actions will result in sanctions from the track.
5. Fighting will not be tolerated. Drivers will be held responsible for the conduct of all persons connected with their car, this will include, but limited to, Crew Chief, Crew Members, Spotters, Family Members, Sponsors, and Guests. Any person from a crew, including the driver, going to another pit area or an area on the speedway grounds, where an altercation occurs, will be considered involved in the incident. The Driver and any involved crew members may be subject to Penalties, Fines, Loss of Points, Probation, Suspension, and up to Loss of ASA License.
6. Any driver who, in the judgment of series officials, engages in rough driving, deliberately running into, blocking or swerving in front of another car – may be subject to penalties. Any car intentionally blocking the track will subject the owner and driver to immediate and indefinite suspension from the series.
7. Any driver who intentionally causes a caution condition, without safety being an issue, by stopping, spinning, or any other action, is subject to 2-lap penalty.
8. Crew members are not allowed on the racetrack at any time. Pit crew, drivers, or series/track officials are not allowed to service cars on the racing surface without specific permission from race control.
9. No one is allowed in the control tower without permission at any time. You will be subject to severe penalties. Race director will be available at the end of the night.
10. All fines must be Paid in Full for the competitor to return to competition.

—

Billy VanMeter has posted the following 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.”