BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The late Greg Biffle has been named the 2026 Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year by 51FIFTY and Allied Packaging.
Biffle, a 2022 West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, is being lauded for his humanitarian aid efforts in summer 2025 in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
The award will be presented during the October 1 West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Gala at the South Point Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Before most of the country learned of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts and Craftsman Truck Series champion had already flown his personal helicopter into the flooded, isolated region to deliver aid.
Biffle’s unselfish efforts as part of Operation Helidrop spearheaded NASCAR’s mobilization to help those who desperately needed food, water, medicine, clothing and housing. He partnered with Starlink and Polaris to deliver internet connectivity and mobile service to areas without access, along with several generators to supply power backups.
Biffle, along with his family and others died in a plane crash in December 2025.
Previous winners of the Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year by 51FIFTY and Allied Packaging award are:
2025 — Victory Junction, a NASCAR-themed youth camp facility for children with serious and chronic medical conditions, founded by Kyle Petty and his family in honor of his son Adam.
2024 — The NASCAR Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the delivery of health and wellness programs and services to children in racing communities
2023 — Kurt Busch Foundation and Kevin Harvick Foundation, non-profits operating on behalf of military outreach and youth sports and educational charities
2022 — The Sonoma chapter of the Speedway Children’s Charities, which has distributed more than $6.8 million to qualified Sonoma County, Calif. youth groups
2021 — Mike Curb, recording executive, racing industry sponsor and West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee/honorary Board of Directors member
“When I first met Carlos Vieira many years ago, I found a unique man and one who became a close friend,” said Ken Clapp, West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame Chairman and CEO. “Carlos had overcome numerous setbacks in life, many of them by his own hand. One day he discovered auto racing and that day changed the trajectory of his life forever. His lifestyle changed dramatically and so did his values of helping those not so fortunate.
“Carlos Viera, who never misses an opportunity to make a difference, came to me in late 2020 with the idea of creating the Philanthropist of the Year recognition and I immediately fell in love with it.
“This year’s award is presented to Greg Biffle, a winner and champion during his NASCAR career who later stepped up in the face of disaster to help those who had lost everything. He was a longtime friend of all of us, in racing and outside of it as well.”
