NASCAR driver Greg Biffle died Thursday, Dec. 18 in a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina. He was 55.
A Cessna C550 business jet that Biffle owned crashed at the end of runway while landing at Statesville Regional Airport at 10:20 a.m. local time, resulting in multiple fatalities, including Biffle his wife Cristina (Grossu) Biffle, their 5-year-old son Ryder, and Biffle’s daughter Emma, 14, from his marriage to first wife Nicole Lunders. Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth also died according to a joint statement released by the families of those who were killed.
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“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words,” the families stated.”
Biffle was named one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers by the organization in 2023 to celebrate its 75th anniversary season.
LATEST UPDATES: Plane crash in North Carolina kills Greg Biffle, family
Born on Dec. 23, 1969, in Vancouver, Washington, Biffle began his racing career driving on short tracks around the Pacific Northwest before debuting in the NASCAR Northwest Series in 1989.
Biffle made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2002 and spent 14 years as a full-time Cup Series driver for team owner Jack Roush from 2003-16, earning 19 wins, 92 top-five finishes and 175 top 10s.
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His first Cup victory came at NASCAR’s most famous track when he took the checkered flag at Daytona International Speedway on July 5, 2003. His final two wins each came at Michigan International Speedway in 2012 and 2013.
GREG BIFFLE: Career highlights from two decades in NASCAR racing
In his third full-time season, Biffle led the series with six victories in 2005 and nearly won the season championship, finishing runner-up to Tony Stewart. He finished third in the 2008 standings and fifth in 2012.
“The entire Charlotte sports community has suffered a tremendous loss,” Roush said in a statement Thursday. “The tragic accident involving Greg Biffle and his family today is incredibly heartbreaking. I have lost a dear friend and partner in our NASCAR program. His contributions to our race team over the years are immeasurable.
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“My condolences are with all those who loved and knew Greg and his family.”
Current Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski, a co-owner of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, also issued a statement following the confirmation of Biffle’s death:
“I am heartbroken by the news involving the Biffle family,” Keselowski said. “I had the privilege of racing alongside Greg for many years, and like so many in our sport, I gained deep respect for him not only as a champion on the racetrack, but as a competitor who helped define an era of NASCAR.
“His impact on Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing runs deep, and his accomplishments helped lay a foundation we continue to build upon today.
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“My thoughts, and that of the entire organization, are with the Biffle family and everyone close to them as they navigate this tremendously difficult time.”
NASCAR ICONS HONOR GREG BIFFLE: ‘Impact reached far beyond racing’
Biffle’s first NASCAR race came in 1996 when he made his debut in the lower tier Xfinity Series (then known as the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series). He became a full-time driver in 2001, finishing fourth in his rookie season. One year later, he captured the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series championship. Prior to his ascent, he raced in the NASCAR Truck Series from 1998 to 2000, finishing runner-up in 1999 and winning his first NASCAR championship in 2000.
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Biffle was still racing on a part-time basis in 2025 in the ARCA Menards Series. He competed in two races in August in the Pacific Northwest (Washington and Oregon) and finished top five in both.
At NASCAR’s 2024 season-ending awards ceremony, Biffle received the National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers award for his service to Hurricane Helene victims, where he used his personal helicopter in rescue and relief efforts. He provided relief for people impacted by the storm in east Tennessee and western North Carolina by flying in via helicopter to hard-to-reach areas with supplies and resources.
NASCAR mourned the loss of Biffle in a statement released Thursday afternoon:
“Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many. His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.
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“On the track, Greg’s talent and tenacity earned him championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, as well as numerous wins and accolades in the NASCAR Cup Series. Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the betterment of our community. Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Greg’s entire family, friends, and all who were touched by his life.”
Biffle, who spent the overwhelming majority of his Cup Series career driving Ford cars, also drew praise from the manufacturer.
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“We are devastated by the loss of our dear friend, his family, and friends that were on the plane with him this morning,” Ford Racing shared on social media. “Greg was not only a champion driver, he was a great husband, father, son, and friend who did whatever he could to support his community and those associated with NASCAR. He’ll forever be part of the Ford family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone touched by this tragedy.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Greg Biffle, ex-NASCAR driver, killed in plane crash with family
