Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle died with his family in a plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday, Dec. 18, at age 55.
The former NASCAR driver, who had great success in Michigan, was killed alongside his wife Cristina and his children Emma and Ryder, among others, in the plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina.
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“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,” NASCAR said in a Dec. 18 statement.
Here’s what to know about Greg Biffle.
What happened to the Biffle family?
A Cessna C550 business jet that Biffle owned crashed at the end of runway while landing at Statesville Regional Airport, about 40 miles from Charlotte, at 10:20 a.m. local time, resulting in multiple deaths, 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.
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The plane was bound for Florida but attempted to return to the Statesville Regional Airport soon after takeoff in severe weather, according to FlightAware, which tracks flight paths.
Dennis Dutton, Dutton’s son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth also died, according to a joint statement released by the families of those who were killed.
“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words,” the families stated in the release.
Who was Greg Biffle?
Born Gregory Jack Biffle in Vancouver, Washington, he went on to have a successful career as a NASCAR driver, with 19 wins in 515 starts. He was a perennial playoff contender, according to NASCAR. Known as “the Biff,” he is considered one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers.
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Biffle retired after the 2016 season.
How often did Greg Biffle race at Michigan International Speedway?
Biffle won four races at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, during his career. His wins came in the GFA Marketplace 400 in August 2004, the Batman Begins 400 in June 2005, the Pure Michigan 400 in August 2012 and the Quicken Loans 400 in June 2013, according to the Motor Racing Network.
Overall, Biffle raced 28 times at MIS with 10 top 5 finishes. He averaged a 13.04 finishing spot at MIS, the best average finish for the former driver at any NASCAR track.
Did Biffle race the Xfinity Series?
In the NASCAR Xfinity series, Biffle had 20 wins in 244 starts, with 17 poles, according to OneBadWheel and Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet.
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USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, family killed in plane crash. What we know
