Despite the ongoing NASCAR playoffs, Hurricane Helen has left a devastating mark on several states, prompting many within the NASCAR community to come together and offer help. The disaster has caused teams and prominent figures, such as Rick Hendrick, Joe Gibbs, and former driver Greg Biffle, to set aside their competitive differences to assist those affected by the storm. The hurricane’s impact was felt across a wide region, including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. NASCAR personalities have united to provide relief, showing their commitment to aiding the victims of this natural disaster.
To support the rescue efforts, several NASCAR team owners deployed helicopters loaded with supplies in an attempt to save as many lives as possible. The death toll from the storm has already exceeded 100 people, with Joe Gibbs focusing on the Asheville area and Hendrick Motorsports using their helicopters to assist victims in Fairview. Greg Biffle, alongside YouTuber Lawrence Garret Mitchell, also known as Cleetus McFarland, took it upon himself to help by piloting his own helicopter in rescue missions. His decision to join the effort begs the question: What motivated Biffle to get involved?
After many successful rescue missions, Biffle appeared on *NASCAR Daily* to speak with host Shannon Sparke about his involvement in the relief efforts. During their discussion, Biffle shared the story of how he first got involved, explaining that a Facebook message was what initially prompted him to act. He received word of a family stranded in the mountains in an Airbnb, with young children, and knew they needed assistance. Biffle pointed out that many people staying in Airbnbs may not be equipped with enough supplies to last for days, making them especially vulnerable during the storm.
In addition to the lack of food and water, Biffle highlighted another major issue that arose during the hurricane: many people could not use their generators due to a shortage of fuel. As a result, many victims were left without power, which in some cases meant losing the ability to operate essential medical equipment. Biffle emphasized the gravity of the situation by describing the widespread damage across multiple states. He shared how his own property, a rock mine in Speedwell, Virginia, was heavily damaged, with entire bridges being wiped out. The scale of the destruction left many families without basic necessities, pushing them to the brink of despair. It was in this dire situation that Biffle decided to use his helicopter, a Bell 206, to try and make a difference.
During the interview, Sparke asked Biffle whether he had managed to reach the family mentioned in the Facebook post. Biffle explained that he had gotten close—within about eight miles of their location—but was ultimately forced to turn back due to worsening weather conditions. Despite his best efforts, he could not reach them. Fortunately, another helicopter approached from a different direction and successfully rescued the family. While Biffle couldn’t complete that mission, it was not a failure, as many others were saved.
Reflecting on the situation, Biffle described how the response to the crisis rapidly grew as word spread. He mentioned that when they first started, there were only two helicopters in the air, but the day after the Facebook post, that number jumped to around 20. By the end of the day, there were between 30 to 35 helicopters, including those from NASCAR teams, all working to rescue people. Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing were among the teams actively involved in the effort, while pilots from Statesville Airport also joined in. The outpouring of donations and supplies was immense, with enough contributions to fill an entire hangar at the airport.
When Biffle arrived at the scene, the extent of the damage was evident. He described how the roads were completely impassable, with cars that had been thrown onto train tracks by the force of the hurricane. Many families had lost loved ones, and even more had lost their homes. Despite the overwhelming destruction, Biffle noted that the one positive outcome of the storm was the unity it brought within the NASCAR community. On the track, fierce rivalries might exist, but when disaster strikes, the NASCAR family comes together to stand strong for the people of America.
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