The last couple of days have been a trying phase for NASCAR, given that the pinnacle of the stock car racing world is finding it difficult to come to grips with reality. On December 18, news came to light of former NASCAR champion Greg Biffle tragically passing away in a plane crash alongside his family and three others.
Among the people who have since reacted to the news was NASCAR legend Mark Martin, who voiced his frustration over yet another aviation-related incident in NASCAR. And in doing so, the veteran shone the spotlight on all the major aviation-related incidents in the sport that took the lives of celebrated drivers.
Mark Martin Voices His Frustrations, Highlights NASCAR’s Unfortunate Connection With Air Travel
NASCAR has one of the most packed schedules of any Motorsports discipline in the world, with races taking place in different cities each weekend. Given the massive endurance angle involved in most races and the buildup to the racing Sundays, enough rest becomes all-important for the drivers.
But with travel time between two cities varying each weekend, getting enough rest isn’t always easy. As such, the element of air travel became a key part of the NASCAR world, given that it significantly cuts down on travel time. Moreover, the advent of private jets has allowed for added resting time for the drivers, given the luxury it comes with.
But as is the case with everything else in the world, air travel comes with its own set of cons, and the most recent tragedy involving the Biffle family highlights exactly that.
Taking to X to voice his frustrations over the incident that occurred, Martin couldn’t help but reveal his anger towards the aviation industry, despite admitting to air travel being a safe way to travel.
“I can’t help feeling angry. Aviation is a very safe way to travel BUT has been savage to our racing community and families throughout history.”
Martin’s anger comes to light shortly after Biffle’s death in a plane crash that involved six other people. Among the victims were Biffle’s wife and his two children, aged five and fourteen. Additionally, famed NASCAR motorhome driver Craig Wadsworth and pilot father-son duo Dennis and Jack Dutton also lost their lives in the incident.
To make matters more personal for Martin, his own father, Julian Martin, died in a plane crash in 1998 near Great Basin National Park, after his twin-engine Piper crashed.
With the latest incident, the focus of the NASCAR world has turned to a pressing matter at hand, which highlights the sport’s shocking history with air travel.
Not the First Time That a NASCAR Driver Passed Away After an Air Travel-Related Incident
While Biffle’s plane tragedy is NASCAR’s biggest air travel incident in recent history, it certainly isn’t the first time that a driver lost their life while travelling in a plane.
In 1993, the defending Cup Series champion Alan Kulwicki also lost his life in a similar fashion. Traveling to the Bristol Motor Speedway for a race, Kulwicki’s small jet crashed on approach to the airport in Blountville, killing Kulwicki and three others.
Just three months after Kulwicki’s death, NASCAR lost another superstar driver in the form of Davey Allison. Son of the legendary Bobby Allison, Davey was piloting his own helicopter, and during a landing attempt, the helicopter spun and crashed. Davey sustained severe head injuries and passed away the following day.
Other major driver deaths via air travel include the 2019 passing of former Truck Series champion Mike Stefanik and the 2017 loss of Whelen Tour Icon Ted Christopher.
Notably, in 1970, Southern 500 winner Curtis Turner also lost his life owing to a plane crash.
