Greg Biffle remains in memory of NASCAR stars at Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH — The first image that popped into Jimmie Johnson’s mind when reflecting upon Greg Biffle during Daytona 500 media day took place on the opposite side of the country — a small track near Bakersfield, California.

“White truck, young guy, sideways, hauling butt,” Johnson said. “I knew he was a local, short-track guy … but he was just ripping.”

And the seven-time Cup Series champ couldn’t forget about their battle at Michigan in 2009 when both drivers ran out of fuel with two laps left and Mark Martin pulled away for victory.

“We had a huge laugh about that after, once the sting went away,” Johnson said.

Feb 23, 2014; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Greg Biffle (16) during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

NASCAR starts another Cup Series season this weekend with the Great American Race with heavy hearts following the death of Biffle, 55, and six others — including his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14 — in a Dec. 18 plane crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.

Biffle competed for 14 seasons on the Cup circuit, from 2002-16. He made 515 starts, won 19 races and captured 13 poles. He won season championships in both the Xfinity Series (2002) and the Truck Series (2000).

RFK Racing and Kaulig Racing, Biffle’s former teams, will feature his signature numeric font on their four Ford Mustangs.

“There seemed to be an a-ha moment when we all got in the room,” RFK Racing driver and co-owner Brad Keselowski said. “I don’t remember who ideated it, but I’m glad we’re doing it. It’s a fun way to honor and remember Greg and his legacy. I hope some fans enjoy it as well. We’ll have some more things that we’ll do throughout the season.”

Biffle’s contemporaries recalled his greatness on and off the track. Denny Hamlin called him the “gold standard” dating all the way back to his O’Reilly Series days in 2004. Kyle Busch created fireworks with Biffle in the final laps at Darlington, and lit them off together at the sand dunes of California and Idaho on vacation.

“I had a rental car, it was a Crown Vic(toria),” Busch said. “We were driving it around and seeing how far up the hill we could get it before we’d get it stuck and have to tow it back down. It was always a real good time when we’d go out there.”

Casey Mears, who also made a habit of joining Biffle out in the dunes, summed Biffle up with one word.

Easy.

“It didn’t matter if you were the President of the United States or one of the smallest fans in the crowd, he was an easy guy to talk to and an easy guy to hang out with,” Mears said. “He always made you feel comfortable.”