NASCAR has been left in shock following the death of Greg Biffle, his wife, and two children in a plane crash in North Carolina.
Biffle, one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, was 55. His wife Cristina, daughter Emma, 14, and son Ryder, five, were also among the seven people killed.
The crash occurred Thursday morning near Statesville Regional Airport, around an hour north of Charlotte. The family were travelling together when the aircraft went down while attempting to land.
Authorities have confirmed no other aircraft were involved.
Details of the crash
The Federal Aviation Administration said the Cessna C550 crashed shortly after 10 a.m. ET during a re-approach to the runway. Rain had fallen in the area earlier that morning.
North Carolina Highway Patrol said first responders arrived quickly, but all seven people on board died at the scene.
“We were told initially that this was a reapproach,” Sergeant Chris Knox said. “The aircraft had left the facility and was coming back in to land.”
The National Transportation Safety Board will now take over the investigation.
In a joint statement, the families said they were “heartbroken beyond words” by the loss.
NASCAR legacy
Biffle’s racing career spanned more than two decades and produced success across every level of NASCAR.
He won 19 Cup Series races and captured championships in both the Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series. Over his career, he recorded 56 victories across NASCAR’s three national divisions.
Biffle drove full-time in the Cup Series from 2003 to 2016 and earned a reputation as one of the sport’s most reliable competitors.
He came from Vancouver, Washington, and was one of the few Pacific Northwest drivers to establish himself at the highest level.
Even after stepping away, he delivered one final reminder of his talent in 2019, returning for a one-off Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway and winning.
Impact beyond the racetrack
Biffle’s legacy extended well beyond racing results.
In 2024, he made repeated helicopter flights to deliver aid to communities in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. That work earned him the NMPA Myers Brothers Award, recognising outstanding contributions to the sport.
NASCAR described him as “a fierce competitor and a friend to so many,” praising his integrity and commitment to the racing community.
Tributes poured in from across the sport.
“Devastating news,” Jeff Gordon said. “I had tremendous respect for Greg as a driver and as a person.”
Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks added: “We’ve lost a family that made contributions far beyond the racetrack.”
Biffle had been nominated for the NASCAR Hall of Fame and was widely expected to be inducted.
