NASCAR legends offer tributes to Greg Biffle

In the wake of the tragic death of former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle in a plane crash on Thursday, figures from around the NASCAR community are offering their thoughts, prayers and tributes to a man who was a staple of NASCAR racing for nearly two decades. 

It was Jack Roush who gave Biffle a shot in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 1998. The partnership between Biffle and Roush flourished, and Biffle drove for Roush until the end of his full-time racing career in 2016. 

Tributes pour in for Greg Biffle

"The entire Charlotte sports community has suffered a tremendous loss," Roush said in a statement. "The tragic accident involving Greg Biffle and his family today is incredibly heartbreaking. I have lost a dear friend and partner in our NASCAR program. His contributions to our race team over the years are immeasurable." 

2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski competed against Biffle as a driver, but became invested in the organization Biffle helped build in 2022 when Keselowski became a part-owner of Roush-Fenway-Keselowski Racing. 

"I had the privilege of racing alongside Greg for many years, and like so many in our sport, I gained deep respect for him not only as a champion on the racetrack, but as a competitor who helped define an era of NASCAR," Keselowski said in a statement. "His impact on Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing runs deep, and his accomplishments helped lay a foundation we continue to build upon today." 

Jeff Gordon retired one year before Biffle in 2015, but battled with him for many years at the front of the field. 

"Devastating news," Gordon said in a social media post. "I had such tremendous respect for Greg as a driver, and we shared countless tough battles on the track. Like so many others, I was inspired by his tireless relief work during Hurricane Helene. My heart goes out to the Biffle family and everyone hurting." 

Denny Hamlin had a similar experience to Gordon, battling with Biffle for wins for over a decade. By the time Hamlin got to the Cup Series in 2006, Biffle was already an established title contender. 

"Today the motorsports world lost one of its fiercest competitors and kindest souls," Hamlin said in a social media post." Greg Biffle was a champion on the track and a humanitarian off it, whose impact reached far beyond racing." 

Seven-time Cup Series champion and 200-time race winner Richard Petty never raced against Biffle, but knew how valuable he was to the sport of NASCAR. 

"Richard Petty and the Petty Family are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle and his family," Petty said in a social media post. "Greg was not only a fearless competitor, but someone who showed that same fearlessness in his generosity to others."

Biffle won 19 Cup Series races and a championship in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Busch Series during his driving career. He was 55 years old.