In 2019, Matt Tifft was dealt a massive blow to his budding NASCAR career. That was the year when he made his Cup Series debut, for Front Row Motorsports. Unfortunately, he was forced to prematurely retire at the age of 23, just four races before the season finale. As it turned out, he suffered a seizure and was soon diagnosed with epilepsy.

When the doctors performed the diagnosis, they were a little puzzled about a few things. Chiefly, as a racing driver, he would have been subject to a lot of injuries, particularly concussions. The fear was whether any issues like concussions, could have either triggered the seizure or adversely affected it. There was also the fact that he had a brain tumor removed in July 2016, but that was seemingly unrelated.

What makes things even more difficult is that he will not be eligible to race in NASCAR until at least 2031. As it is, he only got his driver’s license after he enjoyed 10 months without a seizure. The thing is, NASCAR can only look at his case if his health is positive in the long term. As a result, NASCAR will review his case after six years.

Matt Tifft opened up on life after forced NASCAR retirement

The 28-year-old must have been gutted to have his driving career dealt such a cruel blow. However, that did not mean that he was completely done with NASCAR. Instead, he became co-owner of Live Fast Motorsports with BJ McLeod, from 2020 to 2023. Sadly that partnership did not last, because they eventually sold their shares to Spire Motorsports.

Sharing his reaction over NASCAR’s ruling, Tifft stated, “I’ve been busy the past two years racing. I want to start with that because I would not be able to if it wasn’t for my medical team clearing me. I’ve spent a lot of time, effort, and money travelling around the country to get cleared by the top neurologists, upper cervical physicians, all this kind of stuff just to be sure that I was safe out there. Obviously it’s not just me but other competitors. I wanted to make sure I did that first before I ever got on the racetrack.”

Rather than going on a rant or taking direct jabs at NASCAR for delaying his return, he understood the reasoning behind the sanctioning body’s verdict. “With that being said, I have talked to NASCAR, not only recently, but in previous years about what that path may look like to come back. Ultimately, they have said ‘that it is a no for right now. Where that comes from is they have their own panel of neurologists and physicians. I do think that from insurance and liability that NASCAR has to think about as a whole, it is a bit different here. That is why other sanctioning bodies can clear me, and they cannot… 2031 is what NASCAR has told me to tentatively as long as everything goes well that we’ll review at that point.”

Well, Tifft vowed to make a strong comeback last season and was looking to compete in 30 or so races Super Late Model local events in Wisconsin. A return to dirt tracks was seen as the first step to regain confidence and have a real shot at getting back to racing in the national series. “I would love to be able to come back to NASCAR at some point. And if that day comes, I want to be as well-rounded a driver as I can be – the best driver that I could be.” He said this in an interview with Athletic.

But, this update by NASCAR is indeed tough on the driver as he wasn’t looking to get into the thick of racing right away. Rather he was looking to have a measured approach in the lower series and racetracks where he could build his strength and then hope for a return to Cup Series.

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Tifft had realistic expectations for his NASCAR return

It’s not that Tifft has no support from the teams or sponsors to go racing. Rather he has multiple opportunities that he could’ve jumped on to mark his NASCAR return in the lower series. “I have had ARCA teams, and Xfinity teams call me to want to go run races. That side frustrates me a little bit because I don’t see why an ARCA car at Salem Speedway, Winchester Speedway, Toledo Speedway, why I couldn’t go hop in that. That is an option presented to me.” 

Although NASCAR is taking a cautious approach in not allowing Matt Tifft to compete in the race, he seems to have found a way that NASCAR can consider. We all know that the sanctioning body allows drivers aged 16 to race on limited venues in the Craftsman Truck Series. We saw Connor Zilisch do just that last year before making his Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen. So, what Tifft is suggesting is to let him race on short tracks until he is deemed fit to race on a full-time role.

“From my side of things, I’m not looking to run the Daytona 500 or anything like that right now. I would love to go hop in for some short track racing. We’ll see where this all leads,” He added. What do you make of NASCAR’s decision to restrict Matt Tifft’s return to racing? Share your thoughts in the comments.