Greg Biffle, NASCAR legend from Clark County, and his family died in a plane crash Thursday morning, and memories are coming in from all over the country highlighting Biffle’s character as a humanitarian who coordinated disaster relief for hurricane victims
Paul Valencia
Clark County Today
He became famous for his driving skills, his championship drive behind the wheel.
He became so much more than a race car driver, though, because of the man he was — a true humanitarian.
That character development started right here in Clark County.
The racing world is mourning the loss of Greg Biffle, and so, too, are friends and family in the Northwest. Born in Vancouver, Biffle was a 1988 graduate of Camas High School before going on to a legendary career with NASCAR, in trucks and stock cars.
Oh, but it was his post-racing career that truly made him a name to remember, especially in the South.
Biffle flew his own helicopter for 12 days straight, sunup to sundown he would say, delivering supplies and rescuing people who were stranded after Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina in 2024.
Even before Hurricane Helene, Biffle was known for his missions to help others.
Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and children Emma and Ryder were onboard a plane that crashed in North Carolina on Thursday. There were no survivors.
Steve Hogan, the mayor of Camas, released a statement Thursday after reports that Greg Biffle, his wife, and children were among those killed in a plane crash in North Carolina.
“It is with profound sorrow that the City of Camas mourns the tragic loss of hometown hero Greg Biffle,” Hogan wrote.
The statement continued, noting Biffle’s many sports accomplishments, “whose achievements brought immense pride to our community.”
There is a street named for Biffle in Camas.
“Beyond the racetrack, Greg was known for his generous spirit and commitment to helping others. He used his resources and skills to give back in meaningful ways, including humanitarian missions and disaster relief efforts,” Hogan wrote. “His legacy of service and compassion touched lives far beyond Camas.”
Camas Public Schools also issued a statement.
“Greg’s story reflects the power of perseverance and the many pathways our students may take as they pursue their passions. Beyond his professional success, he was known for his generosity and commitment to helping others. … Our thoughts are with the Biffle family and all those impacted by this tragedy.”
One fan posted his feelings on Biffle’s character on X, formerly known as Twitter:
“2026 should be the inaugural year for the Greg Biffle Humanitarian Award. Given to a driver who goes above and beyond to assist people in a community impacted by a disaster.”
Chris Jackson, a meteorologist and storm chaser based in the South, said Biffle was vital in organizing one of the largest civilian humanitarian missions ever on American soil for Helene.
“The world didn’t just lose a NASCAR great today. The world lost a great man and great family that selflessly stepped up and used their resources for the greater good to help total strangers during their greatest time of need.”
Biffle was named one of the top 75 drivers in NASCAR history in 2023.
“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 alike made a lasting impact on the sport,” according to a release from NASCAR.
“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 wins and accolades in the NASCAR Cup Series.
“Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the betterment of our community. Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives.”
Reporter’s note: I spent a few hours with Greg Biffle at Portland International Raceway (PIR) in 2011. He was in town, on a break from NASCAR. He went to PIR for a meet-and-greet with fans.
The line was impressive. In fact, bigger than organizers of the event had anticipated. They knew Biffle had said he did not have a lot of time for the visit. At one point, organizers were wondering how to tell the long line of people that not all of them would get to meet Biffe.
That is when Biffle intervened.
If it meant he was late for whatever was next on his itinerary, so be it. He told organizers to announce that anyone who was in line would get a chance to say hello, to get an autograph and/or photo.
Biffle was there for more than two hours that day, making sure his fans got a chance to say hello.
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Please share a memory you have of Greg Biffle, in comments or on our Facebook page.
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