When it comes to sports, we often become obsessed with feats of heroism in the arena — the feats of strength, endurance, and determination that inspire fans worldwide. But sometimes, sports can also remind us that true heroism occurs away from the playing field, among ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
Greg Biffle, who died on Dec. 18 at age 55, exemplified both elements of heroism. He succeeded in the highest levels of stock car racing, placing him on the cusp of election to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. But his greatest achievements occurred just over a year ago, when his fellow citizens faced life-and-death struggles in the days and weeks after Hurricane Helene hit.
Stock Car Success
Born in Vancouver, Washington — not exactly the center of the stock car racing universe — Biffle’s success in the Pacific Northwest eventually drew the attention of former NASCAR Cup Champion Benny Parsons. Parsons recommended Biffle to longtime owner Jack Roush, with whom he had the biggest successes of his career.
As he raced up through the ranks, Biffle won the 2000 NASCAR Truck Series Championship and the 2002 series championship in the feeder series just below the premier Cup ranks. He ran full-time in the Cup Series from the 2003 through 2016 seasons, finishing as high as second in the 2005 season.
While Biffle never claimed an elusive Cup championship, he won 19 Cup races during his career, including consecutive wins (2005 and 2006) in the Southern 500, a “crown jewel” race at the notoriously tough Darlington Raceway. Tenacious as ever, he jumped into a truck in June 2019 — after more than two years out of NASCAR racing and at age 49 — and promptly won his return race at Texas Motor Speedway.
Hometown Hero
Those accomplishments, while impressive, wouldn’t necessarily warrant much attention outside the world of motorsports. By contrast, his greater achievements came in the fall of 2024, when Biffle, a longtime helicopter pilot, helped airlift supplies to residents trapped by mudslides and downed trees in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Flying through the mountains of western North Carolina, Biffle and other pilots like him brought badly needed food, water, gasoline, medicines, and other essential equipment to residents facing the prospect of being without power for months.
In social media posts and interviews with the press, he recounted his experiences on these supply missions, including a family he found because a man used a mirror to signal for help. Notwithstanding his celebrity status, Biffle viewed his rescue work modestly:
For me, it’s people helping people. Our motto in this country is … we don’t leave an American behind. And I had the opportunity in front of me to help more people and bring awareness. And it kind of snowballed.
Biffle concluded this interview with a real-life recitation of the Golden Rule: “I would expect someone to do that for me — that’s why I want to do that for these folks.” He pledged to continue his efforts: “I’m gonna keep going until we feel like everybody’s got what they need.”
Tragic Ending
In an ironic tragedy, Biffle, who helped save lives via helicopter in the fall of 2024, lost his life in the air on Dec. 18. Biffle, his daughter Emma, his wife Cristina, their son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth, pilot Dennis Dutton, and his son Jack Dutton were all killed in a crash while their plane attempted to land at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are trying to determine the details behind the crash. As of press time, it remains unclear why the Cessna returned to the Statesville airport about 10 minutes after taking off and which of the three licensed pilots in the plane was at the controls.
While the tragedy ended seven lives early, it cannot diminish the important work Biffle did to help his western North Carolina neighbors in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene just over a year ago. Gone too soon, Greg Biffle remains a champion on the track and in life.
