Between NASCAR’s three national series and the Rolex 24, the late Greg Biffle raced more than 50 times at Daytona International Speedway.
Biffle, who died at age 55 with six others in a plane crash Thursday, Dec. 18, ran the Daytona 500 15 times, though he never won one. But of his 19 career Cup Series victories, the World Center of Racing did produce one of his most important — his first.
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In July of 2003, his first year as a full-time Cup racer, Biffle triumphed in the Pepsi 400.
He kept competing at the iconic track for the next two decades, with his final appearance coming in the 2022 Daytona 500. Let’s look back at The Biff’s career at Daytona.
How many Daytona 500s did Greg Biffle race in?
Fifteen.
Biffle attempted to crack the Daytona 500 field in 2002, but he failed to qualify. His first appearance in the race happened a year later, when he started 27th and finished 21st.
In the second half of his career, he saw more success. He placed third in 2010 and 2012, marking his best Daytona 500 finishes.
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From 2012 through 2015, he delivered four consecutive top-10 finishes, following a third-place with a sixth, an eighth and a 10th.
Biffle returned to the Great American Race in 2022 after a six-year hiatus. He had mechanical issues and finished 36th.
He also participated in 14 Cup Series summer races at Daytona.
Greg Biffle won the 2004 Daytona 500 pole. But …
Biffle sped to the pole position for the 2004 Daytona 500, but he didn’t end up starting there.
After turning the fastest lap, at 188.387 mph, inching just ahead of Elliott Sadler, Biffle had to move to the rear of the field at the beginning of the race due to an engine change.
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He finished 12th.
Greg Biffle won a Busch Series championship. Did he win any Busch races at Daytona?
Biffle made 15 starts at Daytona in NASCAR’s second-tier circuit, known for the last decade as the Xfinity Series and now the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
He never won, though.
Greg Biffle won the 2003 Pepsi 400
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – JULY 5: Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 Ford Taurus, celebrates his victory in the Pepsi 400, on July 05, 2003 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo By Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images)
Biffle’s first career victory is known for its long green-flag stretches. There were only two cautions — for a total of 10 laps — during the first half of the race. The final 81 laps were conducted under green conditions, a rarity at a superspeedway.
Then 33 years old, Biffle led 21 laps. He beat Jeff Burton and Ricky Rudd, who crossed the line second and third.
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“It’s unbelievable, I’ll tell you what,” Biffle said afterward. “This is exciting to be in Victory Lane in Daytona. I never in the world thought we’d win a race here.”
Did Greg Biffle race in the Truck Series at Daytona?
Yes, but just once.
He placed 11th in the inaugural Daytona 250 in February 2000. Mike Wallace won the race.
Greg Biffle ran a Rolex 24?
One, yes.
In 2005, Biffle, along with Roush NASCAR teammates Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth, teamed up in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Driving for Multimatic Motorsports, the trio lost a halfshaft during the endurance race and finished 27th.
When was Greg Biffle’s last Daytona 500 race?
Feb 16, 2022; Daytona, FL, USA; Feb 16, 2022; Daytona, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle (44) talks to the press during Daytona 500 media day at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit:Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Biffle’s final Daytona 500 appearance occurred on Feb. 20, 2022, when he finished 36th.
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With the fledgling NY Racing Team, he had to qualify for the event, and did so with a 13th-place finish in his Duel.
“It’s a humbling experience,” Biffle told reporters. “It’s challenging. I’m used to coming down here, being in the 500. (But) you’re a charter team or you’re high enough in points. It definitely has been a lot of pressure.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for the guys that come down here and have to do it every year. It’s tough.”
Did Greg Biffle want to race in another Daytona 500?
Twice after his final Daytona 500, Biffle was rumored for the Great American Race.
Before the 2024 version, NY Racing Team arrived at Daytona International Speedway as a late entry. Biffle’s name was seen on the organization’s hauler. But he announced on social media he would not be in attendance, claiming his prior contract with the team was not fulfilled.
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In late 2024, Biffle joined the “Let’s Go Racing” podcast and talked about his interest.
“I don’t have anything in the works right now, so I would say Daytona in February is probably slim,” he said. “I definitely will be there. I love that time of the year and Daytona, so I’ll be down there wandering around, but as far as being behind the wheel, it’s probably unlikely (in 2025).
“I want to put something together and run another in a good, competitive car. So I need to get off my butt and start working on it and find a good car to drive.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR driver Greg Biffle had long history with Daytona 500, Pepsi 400
