“I have great respect for him”: Kevin Harvick recollects earliest memories of Greg Biffle as the NASCAR veteran offers condolences after the tragedy 

Kevin Harvick has nothing but 'great respect' for former NASCAR Cup driver Greg Biffle, who lost his life in a devastating plane crash this week. Harvick posted a message on social media, recalling his time racing against Biffle in late models in the mid-1990s. He also commended Biffle's volunteer work off the track and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.

A Cessna C550 plane took off from Statesville Regional Airport but tried to return and ended up killing seven people as it crashed on the runway. Authorities and the families shared that the victims included Biffle, his wife, Cristina Grossu, their 5-year-old son Ryder, and 14-year-old daughter Emma.

"I first raced against Greg Biffle in late models back in the mid-90s. Even then, he was a fierce competitor who never gave an inch. If you beat him, you earned it, and I have great respect for him. I saw that same determination in the tireless commitment Greg and Cristina showed while volunteering in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene," Kevin Harvick wrote on X. "While Greg's legacy will always live on the track, the impact of the work he and his family did for those affected communities has reached far beyond racing."

The crash happened on Thursday, December 18, with other victims, Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton, and Dennis's son, Jack. Local officials said that the plane had left for Florida and the Bahamas. It tried to return after takeoff and crashed while attempting to land. The NTSB will investigate the causes of the crash, which also started a fire at the scene.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of Greg, Cristina, Emma, and Ryder, as well as Craig Wadsworth, and Dennis and Jack Dutton, and everyone touched by this tragedy," Kevin Harick wrote.

Moreover, the two drivers were once involved in an infamous heated moment at Bristol in 2002.

When Kevin Harvick had to be pulled off Greg Biffle at Bristol

Kevin Harvick and Greg Biffle had one of the wildest scuffles in NASCAR history in 2002. Biffle made contact with Harvick's car late in the Xfinity race at Bristol, which sent Harvick into the outside wall and ended his day early.

The then Richard Childress Racing driver was furious and stood on a pit box at the end of the race, waiting for Biffle to come in. When Biffle's Ford pulled onto pit road, Kevin Harvick ran down the lane and leaped over his car to grab the Roush Racing driver by his firesuit and yelled at him.

Biffle left behind a long record of wins and championships in NASCAR. He won championships in the Truck and Xfinity series and had more than 50 wins across the three NASCAR top series.

More than his race record, the 55-year-old was known for his volunteer work. Biffle and his family helped storm survivors after Hurricane Helene last year. He flew his helicopter to rescue people and deliver supplies during relief efforts. Those actions added a new chapter to his public image.

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Edited by Hitesh Nigam