BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — Vancouver native Greg Biffle, a former NASCAR driver and one of the sport’s 75 Greatest Drivers, is making a significant impact in the wake of Hurricane Helene by leveraging his personal helicopter and social media following to assist those affected by the storm.
Biffle’s mission began with a casual invitation to a friend on an otherwise quiet Saturday at his shop: “Hey, do you want to fly today?” A request for help from stranded tourists in remote Banner Elk, North Carolina, caught Biffle’s attention. The area had been severely impacted by the hurricane’s winds and flooding.
Initially, Biffle’s helicopter was among just a few making rescue runs from the Statesville airport. However, as word spread, the number of helicopters involved ballooned from eight to 20 by the end of the first day, with pilots receiving much-needed supplies and geographic coordinates for delivery.
“When that first message arrived, I didn’t have a sense of the scope and magnitude of the devastation, mainly because the greater Charlotte area was largely spared,” Biffle admitted. “But my sense of purpose has swelled since then, and the mission has grown along with it.”
He expressed that helping others in need has provided a feeling akin to winning a race: “You can only ask drivers about that feeling. It’s the same feeling you get when you’re able to help people in need.”
Biffle’s video posts on social media have amplified the dire needs of those living in western North Carolina. As floodwaters receded, the extent of the devastation became clearer, especially in areas where narrow, twisting roadways had been washed away.
Days after the storm, Biffle discovered a victim who caught his attention by using a mirror to signal for help from a small clearing. While the work has been rewarding, many essential needs—food, water, communication, and transportation—are still being addressed.
“It’s been busy—more time in the helicopter than I ever would have imagined,” Biffle said. “It feels good to get supplies to people who need help the most, especially since they’re still cut off. The mission continues. The roads are starting to open, but the grocery stores are still wiped out, gas stations lack fuel, and many areas still don’t have power. People can’t just hop in their cars to look for supplies; they risk running out of gas and becoming stranded.”
Biffle is not alone in his efforts. He credits his wife, Cristina, as well as friends and family for their coordination support. The NASCAR community has also rallied to assist; Biffle mentioned calls from several drivers offering help, including Brad Keselowski, who provided trucks and trailers to haul supplies, and Chris Buescher, who delivered a truckload of donations to West Asheville. Hall of Famer Ray Evernham and Joey Logano also contributed significantly to the relief efforts.
“Team guys are up there on their days off with trucks, trailers, and chainsaws, clearing blocked roads and finding people in need of food, water, and supplies,” Biffle remarked. “It’s real cowboys coming out of NASCAR to help, and I’m proud to be part of that community.”
As operations at the Statesville airport scale back due to the reopening of larger highways, Biffle is reallocating resources to regional airports in Hickory, Lincolnton, and Morganton, closer to the hardest-hit areas. He also highlighted the unsung work of linemen striving to restore power alongside first responders.
In support of ongoing relief efforts, Charlotte Motor Speedway announced its hurricane relief drive will continue through the end of October, collecting resources every Wednesday with help from the stock-car racing industry and the Charlotte community.
Biffle is committed to the long-range rebuilding effort, actively searching for urgent needs from the air each day. “There are communities that are just devastated,” he said. “The reason why I’m still going is that people are still in need, and I don’t want to leave anyone behind. That’s why I’m still at it.”
