Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has been named the honorary starter for the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, in recognition of his heroic efforts in aiding those affected by Hurricane Helene. The former Roush Fenway Racing driver used his personal helicopter to deliver essential supplies to people stranded in remote areas, showcasing his dedication to disaster relief.
In response to the challenges posed by the natural disaster, the NASCAR community united to provide aid to those affected. Among the efforts, Biffle's contribution stood out. The 54-year-old driver partnered with Starlink and Polaris to deliver internet connectivity and mobile service to areas without access, along with several generators to supply power backups.
One notable post on X highlighted his determination during relief efforts. In the post, Biffle shared how stranded individuals in the mountains signaled for help by reflecting sunlight off a mirror. Despite challenging terrain and uneven ground, Biffle made six attempts to land his helicopter before finally succeeding. He wrote:
"The mirror that caught our attention well over a mile away. Only way we were able to find someone stranded in the mountains at bottom of steep canyon. 6 attempts to land due to difficulty but we got there - got him a chainsaw, EpiPens, insulin, chicken food, formula, gas, 2 stroke oil, and sandwiches premade from Harris Teeter before we left #hurricanehelene" [sic]
Biffle told NASCAR that he has been extremely busy with delivering supplies lately, given the constraints people are running into. He said:
“It’s been busy — a lot of seat time in the helicopter, more than I ever would have imagined in my life. But it feels good to be able to get supplies and things in need into these people that need the help the most, that are still cut off. The mission now is, even though the roads are starting to open, the grocery stores aren’t. Some of the grocery stores are wiped out, gas stations still don’t have fuel, the power is not back on everywhere, so these folks still need supplies and food, and they can’t just hop in their car and go driving around looking, because they’ll ultimately end up out of gas somewhere and stranded. So the mission continues.”
Alongside Biffle, the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will also feature NASCAR legends Ricky Rudd and Carl Edwards, who will serve as Grand Marshals for the event. Both drivers are set to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025, and their roles at the Roval offer a fitting tribute ahead of their official enshrinement.
