NY Racing's No. 44 car sits ready at the Daytona International Speedway, but Greg Biffle reportedly won't be driving it.
The NASCAR veteran took to Instagram this week after photos emerged showing NY Racing's No. 44 car and hauler bearing Biffle's signature had arrived for the Daytona 500. Biffle said he won't be driving it now or in the future unless he receives back pay from 2022.
"It has come to my attention that images of a hauler and car with my name and signature on the side of it have been released," Biffle wrote. "While I had hoped to be running in the 2024 Daytona 500 this year — that will not be happening. Due to unfulfilled contract obligations from 2022 for myself and the team, I have made a hard decision to not participate in any races, until the prior contract obligations have been fulfilled. I wish the team all the best and hopefully I will have the opportunity to race again and win this coveted race."
Biffle's announcement came after weeks of speculation about whether he would be driving again for NY Racing. Biffle drove for the team for five of 2022's first 10 Cup races, so all signs pointed to yes.
However, on Monday, when the Daytona 500 entry list was released, NY Racing Team was on it but no driver was listed.
NY Racing, which made its Cup debut in 2012, is no stranger to controversy. It has struggled to find sponsorships and drivers in the past; and in 2015, its car, truck and hauler were stolen from a hotel in Atlanta.
Now, the question is: Who will drive the No. 44 car this weekend? USA Today speculates that veteran driver J.J. Yeley could be a good option but also notes that time is running out for NY Racing Team.
Biffle has been a part-time driver since 2016, last racing the Geico 500 at Talladega in 2022, fresh off a six-year sabbatical.
"Biff," as he is famously called, has been racing since the late 1990s. He has amassed 19 Cup Series victories, 20 wins in the Xfinity series and 17 wins in the Craftsman Truck Series. Overall, he has run in 515 NASCAR Cup Series races, 244 Xfinity races and 83 Truck Series races.
In 2023, Biffle was named to NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers list.
