Greg Biffle family joins in memorial event before packed Tri-City Raceway crowd

Fans filled the grandstands at Tri-City Raceway last Saturday night to celebrate the life and legacy of Northwest racing legend Greg Biffle as Cole Denton dominated the memorial event.

By night’s end, the first-time Tri-City Raceway visitor had written his own chapter into the event’s history. He lead 101 of 150 laps to capture the ARCA Menards Series West feature.

Denton started from the pole and pulled away from Trevor Huddleston late to win the NAPA Auto Care 150 Greg Biffle Memorial, crossing the finish line 3.247 seconds ahead of the championship points leader

“This is just awesome,” Denton said in Victory Lane. “Every track we’ve been to this year has been a new track for me. Tri-City, first time ever. I love this track. This is so fun. Turn one, turn two, turn three. They’re all different, and it’s so awesome.”

The victory was Denton’s second win of the 2026 ARCA Menards Series West season, and it came in his first appearance at the West Richland track.

The event carried significance beyond the race itself.

Former NASCAR star Greg “The Biff” Biffle began his racing career in the Pacific Northwest and remained closely connected to Tri-City Raceway throughout his career. He, his wife Cristina, their two children, and three others were killed in a plane crash while attempting to land at a North Carolina airport in December.

Saturday’s race brought together family members, fellow competitors, and fans to celebrate Biffle’s legacy at the track where he raced, won, and maintained strong ties long after reaching NASCAR’s highest levels.

Laci Tolar, project manager for Tri-City Raceway, said hosting the memorial event carried special meaning for the local racing community.

“It was such an honor to be able to remember Greg and recognize his family and friends back here at his home track,” Tolar said. “Having the race in his honor meant a lot to his family and all the drivers and supporters from across the Northwest.”

Jeff Biffle, Greg’s brother, waved the green flag to start the 150-lap feature before fans packed into the grandstands.

Members of the Biffle family also participated in pre-race ceremonies and accepted a commemorative checkered flag from track officials before the race.

Once racing began, Denton quickly established himself as the driver to beat.

Driving the No. 71 Jan’s Towing Ford, Denton controlled much of the evening and eventually crossed the finish line ahead of Huddleston’s No. 50 Ford.

Mia Lovell drove the No. 15 Pine Health Toyota to a third-place finish, followed by Robbie Kennealy in fourth and Mason Massey in fifth.

Denton credited crew chief Chris Green and the Jan’s Racing organization for preparing a winning car.

“Chris Green, my crew chief, gave me a rocket ship tonight, and we drove this thing to Victory Lane,” Denton said. “I want to thank Mr. Jan and Jan’s Towing, Jan’s Racing, my crew chief, my spotter Ron Norman, everybody at the shop and my mom and dad. Everybody worked extra hard this weekend.”

The race featured five caution periods covering 21 laps, but long stretches of green-flag racing allowed the front-runners to separate themselves from the field. Four lead changes occurred among four drivers.

The final caution flew on Lap 109 following a Turn 3 incident involving Sam Corry, Jade Avedisian, Eric Johnson Jr., and David Smith.

Avedisian was credited with a 15th-place finish after completing 107 laps. Hailie Deegan was credited with a 14th-place finish after completing 108 laps.

Huddleston’s runner-up finish allowed him to maintain the ARCA Menards Series West championship lead through six races with 313 points. Massey sits second with 289 points, while Denton moved into third with 274.

Lovell’s podium finish moved her into eighth place in the championship standings with 246 points.

For one night, however, the championship standings took a back seat.

The evening belonged to the memory of Greg Biffle, whose impact on Northwest racing was evident throughout packed grandstands and a community that gathered to honor one of its own.

Attention now turns to Tri-City Raceway’s next marquee event, the Best Of The West Freedom 250 presented by the Washington Army National Guard on July 4.

The event will feature NASCAR star Kevin Harvick and his son, Keelan Harvick, competing in the first CARS Tour West Super Late Model race held at the West Richland oval. The Independence Day celebration also will include local racing action and a fireworks spectacular presented by Benton REA.

-Scott Hunt is a local photojournalist and freelance writer who contributes regularly to the Tri-City Herald.