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Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, 55, was among seven people killed in a plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday.
Biffle, his wife, two children and three others were aboard a Cessna C550 owned by Biffle when it crashed at Statesville Regional Airport.
Biffle has 19 NASCAR Cup Series victories, including six in 2005 when he finished second in the Cup standings. He won three consecutive Ford 400s from 2004 to 2006 at Homestead. He also earned 20 victories in the Xfinity Series, winning the 2002 title, and took 17 more checkered flags in the Craftsman Truck Series, winning the championship in 2000.
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NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle (44) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Mike Dinovo/USA TODAY Sports)
Biffle initially stopped racing in 2016, but returned six years later for five races, including his final Daytona 500. His best race finish was third in 2010 and 2012.
Biffle’s first checkered flag in a professional race came at the 2001 Tennessee Lottery 250 in Nashville. He won four more races that year before winning four more in his championship season. He finished in the top five 26 other times during this period.
Although he never won the Daytona 500, his first Cup Series victory came at the famous track in the 2003 Pepsi 400. His best Cup Series season came in 2005, when he won a career-high six races en route to a second-place finish in the points standings behind Tony Stewart.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle (44) speaks to the press during media day for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida on February 16, 2022. (Mike Dinovo/USA TODAY Sports)
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After his racing years, Biffle used his flying skills for good. Last year, it helped victims of Hurricane Helene by providing supplies and internet service to those in need. He even located a family stranded while flying due to the use of a mirror against the sun.
Biffle provided Starlink service to residents of Western North Carolina and reflected on his experience helping the stranded family whose use of the mirror saved them.
“Only way we could find someone stranded in the mountains at the bottom of a steep canyon. 6 landing attempts due to difficulty, but we made it – bought him a chainsaw, EpiPens, insulin, chicken feed, formula, gas, 2-stroke oil and sandwiches made by Harris Teeter before we left,” Biffle posted at the time.
NASCAR highlighted Biffle’s philanthropic work by announcing Biffle’s death.
Greg Biffle holds a press conference before practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 14, 2015 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Josh Hedges/Getty Images)
“Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor and a friend to so many. His passion for racing, his integrity and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors had a lasting impact on the sport,” NASCAR said. “On the track, Greg’s talent and tenacity earned him championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, as well as numerous victories and accolades in the NASCAR Cup Series. Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the good of our community. Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters following Hurricane Helene.
“His tireless work saved lives.”
