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Matt Tifft
Tifft at Sonoma Raceway in 2019
BornMatthew Kenneth Tifft
(1996-06-26) June 26, 1996 (age 28)
Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight165 lb (75 kg)
Awards2012 ARCA Midwest Tour Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Cup Series career
32 races run over 1 year
2019 position31st
Best finish31st (2019)
First race2019 Daytona 500 (Daytona)
Last race2019 Hollywood Casino 400 (Kansas)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 1 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
77 races run over 4 years
2018 position6th
Best finish6th (2018)
First race2015 VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 (Kentucky)
Last race2018 Ford EcoBoost 300 (Homestead)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 38 2
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
25 races run over 3 years
2016 position21st
Best finish21st (2015, 2016)
First race2014 Kroger 200 (Martinsville)
Last race2016 Ford EcoBoost 200 (Homestead)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 9 0
Statistics current as of August 19, 2023.

Matthew Kenneth Tifft (born June 26, 1996) is an American professional stock car racing driver and former team owner. He currently competes part-time in the Super Late Models, driving the No. 36 Chevrolet SS for Dan Fredricksonn Racing. In 2020, with his racing career in question due to a past brain tumor and a diagnosis of epilepsy, he became part owner of Live Fast Motorsports with B. J. McLeod & Joe Falk, becoming the youngest team owner in NASCAR Cup Series history. Tifft also was named to the 2022 Forbes 30 under 30 Class. Medical issues sidelined Tifft as a driver from the end of 2019 until the end of 2023 season.

Racing career

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Early career (2007–2010)

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In the fall of 2007, Tifft had his first opportunity to race in a go-kart at Barberton Speedway in Norton, Ohio. He was coached by Kevin Harter of CRP Racing. In 2009, he made his first divisional and national level go kart schedule, under Beasley Motorsports, being coached by Gary Lawson. During this season, Tifft would win two national-level victories. In 2010, Tifft transitioned from karts to asphalt and dirt super late models, with the help of Josh Richards, Dale McDowell, Clint Smith, Benny Gordon, and Tim Schendel.

Stock car racing (2011–present)

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2011 marked Tifft's first full year in stock cars, as he compiled two super late model victories and had multiple top-5 finishes. Along with the work with Schendel and Gordon, Tifft also raced a significant number of races with BJ McLeod Motorsports. In 2012, Tifft won the Rookie of the Year title in the ARCA Midwest Tour.[1] In addition, Tifft finished the season with 5th in points overall.

In 2013, Tifft joined the Win-Tron Racing team[2] to race in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, as well as select ARCA Series races.

In 2014, Tifft signed with Ken Schrader Racing to run select ARCA and K&N East races.[3] Tifft also made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Martinsville Speedway, finishing 8th.[4]

On November 14, 2014, it was announced that Tifft would be running a 6-race schedule with Kyle Busch Motorsports for the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.[5]

Tifft made his Xfinity Series debut in 2015 with Joe Gibbs Racing, finishing 10th.[6] The following year, Tifft was then signed by JGR to drive the No. 18 in 13 races.[7] Tifft drove 3 races with JGL Racing driving the No. 24 in the Xfinity Series, before driving for JGR. Tifft also joined Red Horse Racing to drive the No. 11 in the Truck Series.[8]

Tifft sustained a disc condition in his back in 2016, and on recommendation of his doctor, sat out the American Ethanol E15 250.[9] Sam Hornish Jr. subbed for him and ended up winning the race.[10] Tifft eventually underwent surgery for a low-grade glioma in his brain.[11] On September 12, 2016, NASCAR officials cleared Tifft to return to racing.[12]

On November 4, 2016, it was announced that Tifft would drive full-time in JGR's No. 19 entry in 2017, competing for the Rookie of the Year.

Tifft's No. 19 Xfinity Series car at Road America in 2017

Tifft had not scored a top five in 2017, but at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 12, 2017, he finished a career best third place. On August 27, 2017, Tifft came within two laps of his first Xfinity Series victory at the season's annual trip to Road America. Tifft was leading on the penultimate lap when a fast-closing Jeremy Clements hooked Tifft in Turn 14, spinning both cars out within sight of the finish line. Tifft would ultimately finish 3rd behind Clements and Michael Annett, tying his Mid-Ohio finish.

On October 5, 2017, it was announced that Tifft had signed a multi-year deal to drive the No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing starting in 2018.[13]

On November 27, 2018, it was announced that Tifft would drive the Front Row Motorsports No. 36 Ford Mustang GT in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and compete for 2019 Rookie of the Year honors.[14] Tifft selected 36 as his racing number to honor his mentor Ken Schrader, who raced with that number in the Winston Cup Series from 2000 to 2002.[15] Prior to the Martinsville race, Tifft was rushed to the hospital after suffering a seizure and blacking out in the team hauler, forcing Matt Crafton to take over the No. 36 for the race.[16] As a result of the seizure, he missed the rest of the 2019 season as John Hunter Nemechek substituted in the No. 36 for the final three races.[17] On November 13, 2019, he and FRM parted ways as Tifft intended to focus on his health and could not commit to a full-time 2020 schedule.[18]

On October 23, 2020, Tifft and B. J. McLeod purchased Archie St. Hilare's half of Go Fas Racing's charter. Tifft, McLeod, and Joe Falk will use the charter full-time in 2021 while Go Fas Racing will scale down to a part-time schedule.[19] When the team was formed as Live Fast Motorsports, Tifft would later say in an interview that part of the reason he decided to move to team ownership was because of the uncertainty over continuing his racing career due to his health issues, and his desire to continue his involvement in the sport. He also confirmed in the interview that doctors advised him to retire after 2019, because of his health issues. Tifft was the youngest Cup Series team owner in 2021 at age 24. Because of this achievement, he was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 for 2022.[20]

Personal life

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Tifft was born in Fairfax County, Virginia, and grew up with brother Morgan and sister Maggie in Hinckley, Ohio. He graduated from Highland High School in nearby Granger, Ohio.[21] He currently attends school at UNC Charlotte, majoring in Business Management. He is a fan of the Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Tifft has attended several Indians games and threw the first pitch at an Indians game in 2018.[22] Tifft also ran an Indians Fanatics car at his home track at Mid-Ohio.[23]

On July 1, 2016, Tifft underwent surgery to remove a low-grade benign brain tumor. The tumor was discovered during treatment of a back injury.[24]

Tifft became engaged in the offseason following the 2018 season.[25]

Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Monster Energy Cup Series

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Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 MENCC Pts Ref
2019 Front Row Motorsports 36 Ford DAY
36 		ATL
28 		LVS
34 		PHO
20 		CAL
26 		MAR
29 		TEX
24 		BRI
27 		RCH
29 		TAL
37 		DOV
32 		KAN
21 		CLT
20 		POC
33 		MCH
24 		SON
28 		CHI
29 		DAY
9 		KEN
27 		NHA
24 		POC
23 		GLN
24 		MCH
25 		BRI
27 		DAR
27 		IND
32 		LVS
30 		RCH
20 		CLT
25 		DOV
25 		TAL
13 		KAN
25 		MAR TEX PHO HOM 31st 352 [26]
Daytona 500
[edit]
Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
2019 Front Row Motorsports Ford 33 36

Xfinity Series

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NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NXSC Pts Ref
2015 Joe Gibbs Racing 20 Toyota DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH TAL IOW CLT DOV MCH CHI DAY KEN NHA IND IOW GLN MOH BRI ROA DAR RCH CHI KEN
10 		DOV CLT KAN TEX PHO HOM 95th 01 [27]
2016 JGL Racing 24 Toyota DAY
21 		ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX
20 		BRI
23 		101st 01 [28]
Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Toyota RCH
33 		TAL
8 		DOV
8 		CLT POC MCH IOW DAY KEN NHA IND IOW GLN MOH BRI ROA DAR RCH CHI KEN
5 		DOV CLT
8 		KAN TEX
9 		PHO HOM
25
2017 19 DAY
11 		ATL
12 		LVS
34 		PHO
12 		CAL
17 		TEX
9 		BRI
16 		RCH
14 		TAL
6 		CLT
26 		DOV
9 		POC
10 		MCH
26 		IOW
22 		DAY
18 		KEN
14 		NHA
11 		IND
11 		IOW
19 		GLN
13 		MOH
3 		BRI
17 		ROA
3 		DAR
40 		RCH
13 		CHI
6 		KEN
9 		DOV
6 		CLT
9 		KAN
8 		TEX
8 		PHO
11 		HOM
7 		7th 2211 [29]
2018 Richard Childress Racing 2 Chevy DAY
19 		ATL
12 		LVS
11 		PHO
7 		CAL
8 		TEX
6 		BRI
35 		RCH
4 		TAL
25 		DOV
8 		CLT
9 		POC
14 		MCH
16 		IOW
9 		CHI
16 		DAY
20 		KEN
11 		NHA
5 		IOW
26 		GLN
37 		MOH
4 		BRI
10 		ROA
2 		DAR
8 		IND
6 		LVS
36 		RCH
5 		CLT
6 		DOV
15 		KAN
6 		TEX
7 		PHO
3 		HOM
10 		6th 2254 [30]

Camping World Truck Series

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NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 NCWTC Pts Ref
2014 B. J. McLeod Motorsports 0 Chevy DAY MAR KAN CLT DOV TEX GTW KEN IOW ELD POC MCH BRI MSP CHI NHA LVS TAL MAR
8 		TEX 43rd 83 [31]
45 PHO
20 		HOM
21
2015 Venturini Motorsports 25 Toyota DAY
19 		ATL MAR
9 		KAN
29 		21st 327 [32]
Kyle Busch Motorsports 51 Toyota CLT
8 		DOV TEX GTW
25 		IOW KEN ELD
21 		MSP
23 		LVS
19 		TAL
23 		MAR TEX
54 POC
8 		MCH BRI CHI
9 		NHA PHO
8 		HOM
2016 Red Horse Racing 11 Toyota DAY ATL MAR KAN
14 		DOV
12 		CLT
5 		TEX IOW GTW KEN ELD POC BRI MCH MSP CHI
12 		NHA LVS
15 		TAL
9 		MAR
16 		TEX
17 		PHO
8 		HOM
12 		21st 211 [33]

K&N Pro Series East

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NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 NKNPSEC Pts Ref
2013 Win-Tron Racing 89 Chevy BRI
DNQ 		GRE
26 		FIF
16 		RCH
10 		BGS
17 		IOW
7 		LGY
6 		COL
16 		IOW
24 		VIR
15 		GRE
12 		NHA
13 		DOV
16 		RAL
23 		16th 378 [34]
2014 Ken Schrader Racing 52 Dodge NSM
12 		DAY BRI
9 		GRE RCH
13 		IOW BGS FIF LGY NHA
12 		COL IOW GLN DOV
19 		24th 193 [35]
B. J. McLeod Motorsports 89 Chevy VIR
6 		GRE
2017 Jefferson Pitts Racing 27 Toyota NSM GRE BRI SBO SBO MEM BLN TMP NHA IOW GLN
10 		LGY NJM DOV 50th 34 [36]

K&N Pro Series West

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NASCAR K&N Pro Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 NKNPSWC Pts Ref
2013 TEI Motorsports 89 Chevy PHO S99 BIR IOW L44 SON CNS IOW EVG
9 		SPO MMP
5 		SMP AAS KCR
9 		PHO
11 		21st 130 [37]
2014 41 PHO IRW S99 IOW KCR SON
10 		SLS CNS IOW EVG KCR MMP AAS PHO 61st 34 [38]
2015 Jefferson Pitts Racing 55 Toyota KCR IRW TUS IOW SHA SON
15 		SLS IOW EVG CNS MER AAS PHO 55th 29 [39]

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Racing Series

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Racing Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ARSC Pts Ref
2013 Win-Tron Racing 89 Chevy DAY MOB SLM TAL TOL
5 		ELK POC MCH ROA WIN CHI NJE
15 		POC BLN ISF MAD DSF IOW SLM KEN KAN 70th 360 [40]
2014 Ken Schrader Racing 52 Chevy DAY MOB
6 		SLM TAL NJE
3 		POC
19 		MCH ELK WIN CHI
3 		POC
22 		BLN ISF MAD
9 		DSF SLM KEN
2 		KAN
28 		17th 1820 [41]
10 TOL
3
11 IRP
5
2015 52 DAY MOB
6 		NJE
14* 		CHI
4 		WIN IOW
5 		IRP POC
23 		BLN 20th 1550 [42]
Toyota NSH
2 		SLM TAL TOL POC
10 		MCH KAN
15
Venturini Motorsports 55 Toyota ISF
28 		DSF SLM KEN
2016 15 DAY NSH SLM TAL TOL NJE POC MCH
5 		MAD WIN IOW IRP POC BLN ISF DSF SLM CHI 55th 425 [43]
Ranier Racing with MDM 28 Chevy KEN
3 		KAN
2017 Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Toyota DAY
12 		NSH SLM TAL TOL ELK POC MCH MAD IOW IRP POC WIN ISF 57th 335 [44]
MDM Motorsports 28 Toyota ROA
15 		DSF SLM CHI KEN KAN

References

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  1. ^ "Matt is Rookie of the Year- Wins Futures Race!". Matt Tifft Racing. Retrieved 2014-10-27.
  2. ^ "Win-Tron Racing Announces Full-Time NASCAR K&N Pro Series Effort With Matt Tifft". ARCA Midwest Tour. Jan 29, 2013. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-27.
  3. ^ "Matt Tifft Joins Ken Schrader Racing For 2014". ARCA Midwest Tour. Dec 19, 2013. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-27.
  4. ^ "Matt Tifft's Worthy Performance Earns Attention In Truck Series Debut". Chris Knight via Catchfence. October 25, 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-27.
  5. ^ "Matt Tifft Joins Kyle Busch Motorsports; To Run Six Truck Races in 2015". RACECHASER. Nov 14, 2014. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved 2014-11-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "Matt Tifft Joins Joe Gibbs Racing Lineup For Kentucky Speedway". Chris Knight via Catchfence. September 19, 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
  7. ^ "MATT TIFFT TO MAKE 13 STARTS IN XFINITY SERIES FOR JGR". NASCAR. February 5, 2016. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  8. ^ "Matt Tifft Joins Red Horse Racing". Motor Racing Network. April 20, 2016. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  9. ^ Spencer, Lee. "Matt Tifft to sit out this weekend due to back injury". Motorsport. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  10. ^ Knight, Chris. "WHAT RUST? HORNISH STOMPS FIELD EN ROUTE TO IOWA WIN". NASCAR. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  11. ^ "TIFFT TO UNDERGO SURGERY TO REMOVE BRAIN TUMOR". NASCAR. June 28, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  12. ^ Utter, Jim (September 12, 2016). "Matt Tifft set to make NASCAR return after brain surgery". Motorsport.com. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  13. ^ "RCR Re-Signs Hemric for 2018, Adds Matt Tifft to XFINITY Series Lineup". rcrracing.com. October 5, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  14. ^ "Front Row Motorsports adds third team, signs Matt Tifft to drive No. 36". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media LLC. November 27, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  15. ^ McFadin, Daniel (November 27, 2018). "Matt Tifft to drive third car for Front Row Motorsports in 2019". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  16. ^ "Tifft transported to local hospital, Crafton fills in for No. 36 team". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. October 26, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  17. ^ Albert, Zack (October 29, 2019). "Matt Tifft sidelined for remainder of 2019 season; Nemechek to fill seat". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  18. ^ "Matt Tifft leaves Front Row Motorsports to focus on health". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  19. ^ "Matt Tifft & B.J. McLeod buy charter from Go Fas Racing". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  20. ^ "Matt Tifft named to prestigious Forbes '30 Under 30′ list". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  21. ^ "High school classmates cheer on Matt Tifft". www.motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. July 15, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  22. ^ Pedone, Nick (12 August 2018). "NASCAR Cleveland Native Returns Home". Cleveland Sports Talk. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  23. ^ Tifft, Matt (15 August 2018). "Matt Tifft Column: Hometown Week". Motorsports Tribune. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  24. ^ "Matt Tifft takes first laps since brain tumor surgery". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. September 5, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  25. ^ Gluck, Jeff (28 March 2019). "The Driven Life: Matt Tifft on the keto diet". JeffGluck.com.
  26. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  27. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  28. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  29. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  30. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  31. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  32. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  33. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  34. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  35. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  36. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  37. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  38. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  39. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  40. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2013 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  41. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  42. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  43. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  44. ^ "Matt Tifft – 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
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