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NASCAR driver visits Maxwell

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert
  • 42 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., --  
NASCAR driver Gregg Biffle visited with Airmen at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., Sep. 25.

During his visit, he worked with Officer Training School cadets to maneuver through two obstacles at Project X, the Officer Training School leadership reaction course, and took photos with Airmen and signed autographs outside the base exchange.

"Teamwork between me and my pit crew is exactly the same with the Airmen," said Biffle. "I saw the Airmen as the pit crew and I was taking the role as the crew chief rather than the driver, but it was fun working and problem solving with them."

The obstacles at Project X required strategic planning and teamwork to make it from one area to the next, with only pieces of lumber, rope and each other to help complete the tasks.

"They had me be the leader both times," Biffle said. "I didn't know what I was doing, but we got through it."

The NASCAR driver said he picked up some good team working skills he can use on the track too.

"Greg loves visiting with our military folks. Not only does he get to do some cool things with the Airmen, but it really makes him think," said Russell Branham, Biffle's public relations director. "He said he learned some things about teamwork that he can implement with his team.

The NASCAR driver said he has a tremendous respect for military members and is looking forward to competing for the Freedom Trophy at victory lane, being presented by Senior Airman Donald L. Googe Jr., from the 42nd Air Base Wing's legal office.

"It's easy for all Americans to have an association with all forms of our military, and to have all [the military services] represented on that trophy is pretty special," said Biffle.
"When the race is over, all we have are those trophies to look back and reflect on. All of us certainly appreciate what the military and military members do for us."

"Biffle has been a strong supporter of the military and it's a big morale booster being here and telling the troops that NASCAR, Talladega, and the drivers really care about the military," Branham said.

Biffle's visit to Maxwell was part of NASCAR and Armed Forces Foundation's "Troops to the Track" program, which is a way for NASCAR to give back to service members.