Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife and two children were among seven people killed in a plane crash on Dec. 18 in Statesville, North Carolina, a Biffle family statement said.
The crash occurred near the Statesville Regional Airport, a non-commercial airport in the town 45 miles north of Charlotte.
The joint statement from the Biffle, Grossu, Dutton and Lunders families first reported by FOX Sports confirmed the deaths of Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Biffle, children Ryder and Emma Biffle, Dennis Dutton and his son Jack and Craig Wadsworth.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed that the plane tail number was N257BW and registered to GB Aviation Leasing, a company with the same listed address as Biffle’s listed address per Iredell County records.
Airport manager John Ferguson said in a statement to media that a plane crashed at the runway on the east end at about 10:15 a.m. and was “fully engulfed” when he arrived to the scene.
The FAA arrived at the scene at noon and took over the investigation, Ferguson said. The NTSB will be arriving on-scene on Dec. 19, the NC SHP said. There is no immediate information on the cause of the incident, and the airport is currently closed.
Biffle, 55, won 19 NASCAR Cup Series races and won the 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title and the 2002 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship.
The Vancouver, Washington native was named one of NASCAR’s top 75 drivers in 2023 and has been a NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee.
Biffle worked in providing relief to western North Carolina, east Tennessee and other areas impacted by Hurricane Helene in 2024, flying into difficult-to-reach areas with supplies and resources for displaced and impacted people. He posted on social media his intention to do the same earlier this year in Jamaica and areas in the Caribbean impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
What NASCAR said about Greg Biffle’s death
NASCAR released a statement on Dec. 18.
“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,” NASCAR’s statement read. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”
“…. 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.”
Jack Roush, RFK Racing’s founder, also released a statement on Dec. 18. Biffle drove for Roush Racing for nearly two decades, including 14 years in the Cup Series.
“The entire Charlotte sports community has suffered a tremendous loss,” Roush said. “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. My condolences are with all those who loved and knew Greg and his family.”
NASCAR drivers react to Greg Biffle’s death
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Greg Biffle death, NASCAR driver killed in North Carolina plane crash
