NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle, Family Killed in North Carolina Plane Crash

The NASCAR world and the nation was left in shock Thursday morning after legendary driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two young children were tragically killed in a devastating plane crash near Charlotte, North Carolina.

The accident occurred around 10:15 a.m. at Statesville Regional Airport, just 45 miles outside Charlotte. The Cessna C550, registered to GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company linked to Biffle, had taken off just minutes earlier before turning around and attempting to return. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft engulfed in flames as it crashed near the runway.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) confirmed the heartbreaking news. “I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,” Hudson said.

Biffle’s close friend Garrett Mitchell revealed that the family had been en route to visit him when the tragedy occurred.

“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane … because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated,” Mitchell shared.

Emma was a teenager, and Ryder had just turned five. Six people total were aboard the flight, according to a source familiar with the incident.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, and airport officials confirmed the runway is shut down during cleanup efforts.

Greg Biffle, 54, was far more than a NASCAR icon. He was a pioneer, one of just three drivers to ever win both the Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series. A fierce competitor on the track, he was also a 2025 NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee, and widely respected for his contributions to the sport.

But off the track, Biffle’s impact may have been even greater.

When Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina, Biffle sprang into action. Using his personal helicopter, he delivered generators, chainsaws, water, and critical supplies to communities left stranded in the storm’s wake. He even raised over $60,000 for relief efforts through t-shirt sales, embodying the kind of quiet heroism that rarely makes headlines.

“They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others,” Rep. Hudson said. “He was an extraordinary person and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track.”

Biffle was a man of deep passion for racing, for family, and for aviation. A licensed private pilot, he frequently flew out of the Statesville airport, a hub used by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 executives alike.

While the cause of the crash remains unknown, the loss is undeniable. Greg Biffle wasn’t just a racing legend he was a husband, a father, a friend, and a patriot. His death is a crushing blow to NASCAR, to the state of North Carolina, and to countless Americans who admired him both on and off the track.

In the words of many who knew him best, he lived fast, gave generously, and loved deeply. And in the end, that’s a legacy worth remembering.

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