The NASCAR community continues to mourn the devastating loss of Greg Biffle, whose life was tragically cut short in a plane crash on December 18, 2025. The accident, which occurred in Statesville, North Carolina, claimed seven lives total, including Biffle's wife Cristina, their children Ryder and Emma, as well as Dennis Dutton with his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth. As the sport gathers for one of its most prestigious events, teams across all series have united to pay tribute to the fallen champion in deeply personal and creative ways that demonstrate the profound impact he had on the racing world.
Greg Biffle's legacy in NASCAR is nothing short of remarkable and spans multiple decades of competition. He first made his mark as a dominant force in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, capturing the championship title and establishing himself as a driver to watch for years to come. His success continued in what is now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he again proved his mettle by securing another championship and showcasing his versatility across different levels of competition. At the Cup Series level, Biffle's talent shone brightest with 19 victories and a career-best championship finish of second place, cementing his status as one of the elite drivers of his generation. His long-standing association with Jack Roush and Roush Fenway Racing became legendary, making his No. 16 Ford one of the most recognizable and successful cars to ever grace the track.
As the 2025 season kicks off at the hallowed grounds of Daytona International Speedway, the track has transformed into a moving canvas for remembrance and celebration of Biffle's life. Biffle's iconic No. 16 Roush Ford is prominently displayed at the facility, serving as a powerful visual reminder of his contributions to the sport and allowing fans to pay their respects up close. But the tributes extend far beyond a static display, with numerous teams incorporating special elements into their race cars and trucks for the weekend, creating a rolling memorial that will be seen by millions of viewers.
One of the most visually striking and emotionally resonant homages comes from Kaulig Racing and driver AJ Allmendinger. Allmendinger was already scheduled to compete with the number 16, which happens to be the same numeral Biffle made famous during his highly successful Cup Series career. Rather than simply continue with their regular design, Kaulig Racing has completely reimagined the number's styling to match the exact font and color scheme that adorned Biffle's famous Roush machine throughout his many victories. The tribute goes even further, with the overall paint scheme drawing heavy inspiration from the 3M livery that Biffle piloted to many of his most memorable and important victories. This meticulous attention to detail transforms Allmendinger's car into a rolling memorial that would undoubtedly make Biffle proud and serves as a testament to the respect he commanded within the garage area.
The Truck Series has also embraced the spirit of remembrance, particularly through Niece Motorsports and their entire fleet of entries. Every single truck fielded by the organization will carry a special decal honoring Biffle's memory, creating a unified front of respect across their team. This gesture holds particular significance for one debuting driver: Cleetus McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell. The popular YouTuber and social media personality developed a remarkably close friendship with Biffle over the past two years, with the veteran driver generously serving as a mentor as Mitchell carefully navigated his transition into the world of professional stock car racing. The bond between the two families was so strong and personal that the Biffles were traveling to Florida specifically to exchange Christmas gifts with Mitchell on the day of the tragic crash. The decal features the phrase "Be Like Biff", a powerful motto that Mitchell has championed in the months following his friend's passing, encouraging others to emulate Biffle's passion, skill, sportsmanship, and character both on and off the track.
The connection between Biffle and his former team runs deeper than mere statistics, which makes RFK Racing's tribute especially poignant and appropriate. All of Biffle's wins and championships came while driving for Jack Roush, the legendary team owner whose organization continues today as RFK Racing. In recognition of this enduring legacy and the foundational role Biffle played in their success, every single RFK Racing entry at the Daytona 500 will feature numbers styled in the distinctive "Biffle font"—the same unique typography that became synonymous with his success and instantly recognizable to fans. This uniform tribute across the entire team demonstrates the profound impact Biffle had on the organization and the lasting respect he commands within the Roush family, even years after his retirement from full-time competition.
Even teams with limited resources and sponsorship have found meaningful ways to participate in the weekend-wide remembrance. Norm Benning, a veteran driver competing in the Truck Series season-opener without primary sponsorship, has nonetheless dedicated his entire entry to Biffle's memory. Benning has styled his No. 6 in the familiar color and font of Biffle's old Roush car, and has placed a heartfelt, hand-written message on his truck's decklid in remembrance of Biffle and his family. This gesture exemplifies the unity and camaraderie within the NASCAR community, showing that honoring a legend transcends budgetary constraints and competitive rivalries, touching the very heart of what makes the sport special.
Beyond these individual team efforts, a universal tribute decal has been created through collaboration between multiple organizations and will be carried by dozens of teams throughout the Daytona weekend across all three national series. While small in physical size, its presence on so many vehicles creates a powerful collective statement about Biffle's place in the sport's heart and his influence on multiple generations of competitors. These decals serve as subtle but constant reminders of the man who helped shape modern NASCAR and whose legacy continues to influence the sport today.
The breadth and creativity of these tributes speak volumes about Greg Biffle's character and influence beyond just his on-track achievements. He wasn't just a successful driver with impressive statistics; he was a mentor, a friend, a family man, and a beloved figure who touched lives across the entire racing ecosystem. From the top-tier Cup Series teams with multi-million dollar budgets to the grassroots Truck Series competitors running on shoestring operations, the entire paddock has found unique and personal ways to say thank you and goodbye to one of their own.
As the engines roar to life at Daytona and the green flag waves to start a new season, these tributes ensure that Greg Biffle's spirit will be riding along with every competitor on the track. The "Be Like Biff" movement, in particular, suggests that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of drivers to approach the sport with the same combination of talent, determination, humility, and genuine love for racing that defined his entire career. In a sport built on speed, fierce competition, and the pursuit of victory, these moments of collective remembrance remind everyone that NASCAR is, at its core, a family that looks after its own.
The tributes at Daytona represent more than just a weekend of remembrance or a temporary gesture—they're a promise that Greg Biffle's contributions to NASCAR will never be forgotten and that his impact will be felt for years to come. Whether through carefully replicated paint schemes that mirror his most famous cars, heartfelt decals that share his personal motto, or simple messages of love and respect placed on humble entries, the NASCAR community has ensured that the Biffle family's legacy will continue to be an integral part of the sport they loved so dearly. As the season progresses and the tributes at Daytona fade from view, the memory of Greg Biffle and the example he set will continue to guide and inspire those who follow in his tire tracks.