Well deserved.
There are still so many people who are hurting after the devastation from Hurricane Helene left much of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia underwater. Over 200 people have already been confirmed dead, and it will no doubt take months and years for some of these areas to recover.
But through the tragedy, we’ve seen many in the community and across the country step up to provide aid and help those who are suffering.
One of those who’s been leading the charge is former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, who’s been using his private helicopter to deliver supplies and Starlink internet to those who were stranded and cut off due to the storm and resulting floods.
It all started when Biffle received a message from a friend about a family who was stranded and needed supplies:
“They were renting an Airbnb, so obviously they only had a couple days of food. It’s not like they lived there where most households would have extra supplies. They were with two young kids. They were out of food. They were out of formula. They were out of water. And there’s no power, and they’d been there for a couple of days and really needed to get out. So that’s really how this whole thing started.”
Since then, Biffle and fellow racer and YouTube personality Cleetus McFarland have been organizing flights to deliver supplies to those in need, while providing updates and requests for help on his social media.
Terrain is rough and landings aren’t easy but so worth it. Different perspective of our landing on the only flat and clear piece free of powerlines around the area. #hurricanehelene
📸Sean Kerlin pic.twitter.com/bFWGa4GW5K— Greg Biffle (@gbiffle) October 7, 2024
There have already been (well-deserved) calls for Biffle to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian award in the United States, for his work on the relief effort. But in the meantime, NASCAR is going to honor their former star this weekend as they return to North Carolina.
NASCAR announced today that Biffle will serve as the honorary starter for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race, the Bank of America Roval 400, at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
A well-deserved honor for Greg Biffle.
The former NASCAR driver has aided in relief efforts after Hurricane Helene, and will wave the green flag Sunday in Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/GWTHozqt9P
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 11, 2024
Biffle retired from full-time NASCAR racing in 2016, after winning 19 races in the Cup Series and 56 races across the sport’s top three series. He was the 2002 Busch Series champion, and won the Truck Series championship in 2000. His last start in NASCAR came in 2022, when he competed in five races for NY Racing Team.
It’s great to see NASCAR (which is obviously based in North Carolina) recognizing Biffle for his contributions to his home state.
Just give him every award we can at this point. He deserves it.
