DARLINGTON, SC - MAY 14: Greg Biffle, named one of NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Äs 75 Greatest Drivers speaks to the media prior to the running of the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 on May 14, 2023, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 14 NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon230514005
DARLINGTON, SC - MAY 14: Greg Biffle, named one of NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Äs 75 Greatest Drivers speaks to the media prior to the running of the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 on May 14, 2023, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 14 NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon230514005
Greg Biffle’s sudden death in December last year left not just NASCAR, but much of the motorsports world in shock. As a result, fans rallied behind his case for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027.
However, as per the latest development, the governing body did not announce him as one of the inductees.
As part of the annual process, NASCAR named Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton after a voting that took place at the Charlotte Convention Centre on Tuesday.
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Greg Biffle receives Myers Brothers award for his service to Hurricane Helene victims during the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Greg Biffle receives Myers Brothers award for his service to Hurricane Helene victims during the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
After voting, in both the Modern Era and the Pioneer Era, the aforementioned names came up, while Biffle's name was missing. Harvick’s selection felt expected, but Burton’s inclusion drew more attention.
When it comes to career statistics in NASCAR, there is hardly anything that separates them. Burton made 695 starts, while Biffle had 515 starts and 19 Cup Series wins. However, the late driver had something in his favor.
He was a Truck Series champion in 2000 and a Busch Series champion in 2002 under Jack Roush. In that sense, his résumé was stronger in the lower series than Burton's.
That includes staying visible in NASCAR after retirement and working in broadcasting, though not as prominently as Burton.
To put that into perspective, both Jeff Burton and Greg Biffle had a similar contribution to the sport, but the turning point was how Biffle's sudden demise gained huge sympathy from the fans and experts alike.
All About Greg Biffle’s Demise
Greg Biffle was on board his private jet with his whole family on December 18, 2025, and this was when the issue emerged with his jet. While attempting an emergency landing, the jet crashed, and everyone on board passed away.
Besides Biffle, his wife Cristina, his children, Dennis and Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth died in the crash. Condolences and tributes followed quickly.
That means a Busch and Truck Series Rookie of the Year, a Busch and Truck Series Most Popular Driver winner, a West Coast Hall of Famer, and one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers missed out on this year’s Hall of Fame class. That miss, indeed, feels personal.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Sabyasachi Biswas
Edited by
Shubhi Rathore