Daytona’s Other Paddock: Greg Biffle’s “Checkered Past” Yacht Still Seeking a Buyer
The water laps quietly against the fiberglass hull of Greg Biffle’s yacht at the Daytona Marina and Boat Works, a rhythmic, gentle sound that stands in stark contrast to the roaring engines that defined this iconic man’s life. Tied to the dock, the 112-foot superyacht known as “Checkered Past” is more than just a vessel listed for sale. It is a floating monument to the career, the drive, and the tragic end of the NASCAR veteran.
For race fans walking the docks near the Chart House Restaurant, seeing the massive ship is a somber reminder of the December crash that claimed the lives of Biffle, his family, and others in North Carolina. The boat, listing for nearly $4.4 million, sits waiting for a new owner, but for now, it serves as a silent anchor to the memory of “The Biff.”
A Testament to Hard-Earned Horsepower
To understand the boat, you have to understand the racer. Biffle wasn’t handed a ride in the Cup Series. He ground his way up from the short tracks of the Pacific Northwest. He was a mechanic’s driver, a guy who knew what made the machine tick. Over a career that spanned nearly two decades at the top level, primarily in the No. 16 Ford for Jack Roush, Biffle racked up 19 Cup Series wins and generated some $80 million in prize money.
That success on the asphalt is exactly what paved the way for his life on the water. “Checkered Past” wasn’t an impulse buy. It was the trophy for years of battling stiff competition on Sundays. The yacht, built in 1999, was the culmination of a three-year financial plan Biffle put together, proving that his strategic mind wasn’t limited to fuel mileage races. He treated the purchase with the same calculation he used to stalk a leader at Darlington.
From the Columbia River to the Atlantic
Biffle grew up in Vancouver, Washington, along the banks of the Columbia River. The water was in his blood long before gasoline was. He bought his first boat at 16, and throughout the high-pressure cooker of his NASCAR career, the water remained his escape.
In 2022, Biffle opened up about his passion for the sea, noting that he wasn’t the type of owner to just sit on the aft deck with a drink. He was an active boater. He loved the mechanical side of it, the maintenance, the work. “This is truly the boat,” Biffle had said, calling it his dream vessel.
It was a step up from his previous 76-footer, “In Too Deep,” signaling that he had finally reached the pinnacle of maritime luxury he had aimed for. Now, the vessel sits in Daytona, a town synonymous with speed, just miles from the track where Biffle spent so many Februarys chasing glory.
Specs That Rival a Cup Car
Any gearhead looking at the listing for “Checkered Past” will appreciate the numbers. While Biffle was used to wrangling 800 horsepower around a banked oval, his yacht commanded a different kind of power. The vessel is equipped with twin MTU diesel engines. Each one pumps out 1,800 horsepower, more than double what Biffle had under his right foot in the No. 16 car.
With a 20-foot beam width, the yacht is a beast, yet it draws less than six feet of water, allowing it to navigate shallower channels. It was designed for entertainment and comfort, featuring a country-style kitchen, a VIP stateroom, and room for a full crew. It was built for the good life, a retirement reward that was cut devastatingly short.
A Somber Sale at the Marina
The marina office confirms that the yacht belongs to the Biffle estate. It has technically been on the market for over a year, dating back to before the tragedy in Statesville. But the context of the sale has shifted entirely. It is no longer just a retired athlete looking to liquidate an asset; it is a piece of a legacy left behind.
The Halifax River harbor often hosts boats from the racing community. It’s a place where competitors relax away from the garage area. But the presence of “Checkered Past” feels different these days. It stands as a reminder of how quickly things change. One minute, you are planning your next voyage, and the next, the engines fall silent.
As the investigation into the plane crash continues, the legal and financial unwinding of the estate will take time. For now, the boat remains in Daytona, a beautiful, powerful machine waiting for a captain, serving as a heartbreaking final chapter in the story of Greg Biffle.
