Former NASCAR Champion Greg Biffle, Family Among 7 Dead After Plane Crash in Statesville

On December 18, 2025, the motorsport world was rocked by harrowing news that former NASCAR champion Greg Biffle and six others lost their lives in a catastrophic aircraft accident in Statesville, North Carolina. The tragic event unfolded during the morning hours when the private jet carrying Biffle and his loved ones crashed as it attempted to land at Statesville Regional Airport shortly after 10:15 a.m. local time. Wikipedia

Emerging details have confirmed that the business jet involved was a Cessna C550, a mid-size corporate aircraft registered to GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company linked to Biffle himself. Flight records show the plane departed the same airport earlier that morning, bound for Sarasota, Florida, only to turn back and crash in a devastating wreck that left no survivors. Wikipedia

Devastating Loss of a Racing Legend and His Family

The list of those confirmed dead in the crash includes:

• Greg Biffle, age 55, retired NASCAR racer and beloved figure in auto racing. Wikipedia

• Cristina Grossu Biffle, his wife. Wikipedia

• Emma Biffle, their 14-year-old daughter. Wikipedia

• Ryder Biffle, their 5-year-old son. Wikipedia

• Craig Wadsworth, a close friend and well-known face within the NASCAR community. Courthouse News

• Dennis Dutton and his son Jack, who were also aboard. Courthouse News

The sudden loss of Biffle’s family, especially his two young children, has made this incident even more heart-wrenching. This extraordinary tragedy has reverberated across the racing community and beyond. Courthouse News

A Career Built on Speed and Spirit

Greg Biffle’s journey in motorsports was nothing short of remarkable. A champion in multiple NASCAR series, he earned a reputation for tenacity and a magnetic competitive edge that made him a beloved figure among fans and peers alike. Over his career, Biffle notched wins across NASCAR’s top series and became one of the sport’s most respected veterans before transitioning into retirement and aviation pursuits. Wikipedia

Beyond racing, Biffle was known for his involvement in humanitarian work, using his pilot’s license to help deliver aid when needed and staying connected with fans in meaningful ways long after his NASCAR days. AP News

What Happened That Morning?

According to flight tracking data and official sources, the private jet lifted off from Statesville Regional Airport just after 10:00 a.m. ET but turned back shortly afterward, failing to climb above roughly 2,000 feet. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft return toward the airport under unclear conditions before it crashed and erupted into flames near the runway. Wikipedia

Local weather at the time included low clouds and light rain, factors that could potentially have played a role in the accident. However, the exact cause remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Wikipedia

The horrific crash also forced the temporary closure of the airport as emergency crews tended to the scene and debris was cleared from runways. Wikipedia

Outpouring of Support and Mourning

News of the tragedy sparked an immediate and emotional reaction throughout the world of motorsports and among racing fans globally. NASCAR issued statements expressing profound sorrow over the loss of Biffle and those on board, lauding his contributions to the sport and the vibrant legacy he leaves behind. Reddit

Fellow drivers, team members, and fans have taken to social media and tribute pages to share memories and pay respects to both Biffle’s storied career and the lives of all the victims lost in the crash.

Investigation Underway

Authorities have emphasized that the definitive cause of the crash is not yet known. Both the NTSB and FAA are collecting data, examining wreckage and flight records, and looking into weather conditions at the time of the accident. This probing investigation aims to uncover what went wrong and whether any mechanical, environmental, or human factors played a role. Wikipedia

As with any aviation disaster of this magnitude, the investigation may take weeks or months before conclusive findings are shared. In the meantime, the community continues to grieve and honor those who were lost.