How do NASCAR drivers choose between flying a plane or helicopter to the racetrack? JGR weighs in

Joe Gibbs Racing explained how NASCAR drivers arrive at race tracks week in and week out. In one of JGR's social media posts shared on October 11, the Hunsterville-based team said its drivers ride a helicopter for home races and a private plane for farther tracks.

Joe Gibbs Racing, owned by former NFL coach Joe Gibbs, is among the big teams in the Cup Series along with Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing. The team fields four drivers in the premier series, namely Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, and Martin Truex Jr.

For the upcoming race, the teams are heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a road course showdown. Since most drivers live in North Carolina, they would fly by helicopter. JGR would pick its drivers up in their respective homes and fly them outside the track.

Of note, the tracks situated in North Carolina include the Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and Rockingham Speedway, among others. On the other hand, drivers take a plane for farther races, as explained by Joe Gibbs Racing in a post shared on their Instagram handle:

“How do NASCAR drivers get to the race track? The upcoming race is at Charlotte Motor Speedway and most drivers live in the Charlotte area. For farther races, they’ll take a plane. But for this close race, they’ll fly on the helicopter,” Joe Gibbs Racing explained on Instagram.

The race team added:

“The helicopter is able to land at our shop and pick drivers up from their houses. From there, it’s a quick flight over to the track and they’ll land outside of it.”

Denny Hamlin is one of the drivers who reside in North Carolina, particularly by Lake Norman where Will Ferell’s Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) was also filmed.

The state is also where most NASCAR race shops are based, including JGR’s headquarters located on Reese Blvd W, Huntersville. It is only a few miles from Hamlin’s Airspeed, the HQ of the 23XI team he co-owns with six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan.

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NASCAR teams like Joe Gibbs Racing used its air assets to assist victims of Hurricane Helene

NASCAR race teams not only use their air assets to transport their drivers to races but also give back to the community. A few weeks ago, Joe Gibbs Racing flew donations from its HQ to affected areas of Hurricane Helene, including North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.

In an Instagram post shared on September 30, Heather Gibbs, the wife of Joe Gibbs’ late son Coy, expressed her gratitude for the people who joined relief programs, writing:

"Praying for everyone impacted by the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Grateful for the brave men and women that have selflessly jumped into action. @joegibbsracing is using all of our air assets to assist. Our pilots flew in supply drops all day yesterday, search and rescue teams are being dropped off today.”

Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle also joined the search and rescue missions by flying his personal helicopter to affected areas. The stock car racing league will honor him for his bravery at the Charlotte Motor Speedway this Sunday as he will serve as the honorary starter.

As per reports, Hurricane Helene took the lives of over 230 individuals.