Between the three national series of NASCAR and the Rolex 24, the late Greg Biffle raced more than 50 times at Daytona International Speedway.
Biffle, died at age 55 with six other people in a plane crash As of Thursday, December 18, he has raced the Daytona 500 15 times, but has never won a single one. But among his 19 career Cup Series victories, the World Center of Racing produced one of his most important – his first.
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In July 2003, his first year as a full-time Cup driver, Biffle triumphed in the Pepsi400.
He continued to compete at the iconic track for the next two decades, with his final appearance at the 2022 Daytona 500. Let’s look back at The Biff’s career at Daytona.
How many Daytona 500s has Greg Biffle raced in?
Fifteen.
Biffle attempted to break through the field at the Daytona 500 in 2002, but failed to qualify. His first appearance in the race came a year later, when he started 27th and finished 21st.
In the second half of his career, he enjoyed more success. He placed third in 2010 and 2012, marking his best results at the Daytona 500.
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From 2012 to 2015, he finished four consecutive times in the top 10, after a third place followed by a sixth, an eighth and a 10th.
Biffle returned to the Great American Race in 2022 after a six-year hiatus. He experienced mechanical problems and finished 36th.
He also competed in 14 summer Cup Series races at Daytona.
Greg Biffle won the pole for the 2004 Daytona 500. But…
Biffle quickly reached the pole position for the 2004 Daytona 500, but he didn’t end up starting there.
After setting the fastest lap, at 188.387 mph, just ahead of Elliott Sadler, Biffle had to move to the back of the field early in 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 has made 15 starts at Daytona on NASCAR’s second-tier circuit, known for a decade as the Xfinity Series and now the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
But he never won.
Greg Biffle won the 2003 Pepsi 400
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – JULY 5: Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 Ford Taurus, celebrates his victory in the Pepsi 400 on July 5, 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 streaks. There were only two cautions — for a total of 10 laps — during the first half of the race. The final 81 laps were completed in green conditions, a rarity on a superspeedway.
Then aged 33, Biffle led 21 laps. He beat Jeff Burton and Ricky Rudd, who crossed the finish line second and third.
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“It’s amazing, I’ll tell you,” Biffle said afterward. “It’s exciting to be at Victory Lane at Daytona. I never thought we would 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 raced a Rolex 24?
One, yes.
In 2005, Biffle, along with Roush NASCAR teammates Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth, teamed up for the 24 Hours of Daytona. Driving for Multimatic Motorsports, the trio lost a half shaft during the endurance race and finished 27th.
When was Greg Biffle’s last Daytona 500 race?
February 16, 2022; Daytona, Florida, United States; February 16, 2022; Daytona, Florida, United States; NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle (44) speaks to the press during media day for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit:Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Biffle’s final Daytona 500 appearance was on February 20, 2022, when he finished 36th.
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With the fledgling NY Racing Team, he had to qualify for the event, and he did so with a 13th place finish in his Duel.
“It’s a humbling experience,” Biffle told reporters. “It’s a challenge. I’m used to coming here, being in the 500. (But) you’re a charter team or you have enough points. It’s definitely been a lot of pressure.
“I have a lot of respect for the guys that come 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.
Prior to the 2024 version, the NY Racing Team arrived at Daytona International Speedway as a late entry. Biffle’s name was on the organization’s transport vehicle. But he announced on social networks he would not attend, claiming his previous contract with the team was not fulfilled.
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End of 2024, Biffle joined the “Let’s Go Racing” podcast and talked about his interest.
“I don’t have anything in the pipeline right now, so I would say Daytona in February is probably slim,” he said. “I’ll definitely be there. I love this time of year and Daytona, so I’ll be there walking around, but as far as being behind the wheel, it’s probably unlikely (in 2025).
“I want to put something together and drive another one in a good competitive car, so I need to relax and start working on it and find a good car to drive.”
This article originally appeared in the Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR driver Greg Biffle had a long history with Daytona 500, Pepsi 400
