Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was killed Thursday in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, authorities confirmed. He was 55.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein confirmed Biffle’s death, while NASCAR said a total of seven people died in the crash, including several members of Biffle’s family. According to NASCAR’s official social media account, those killed included Biffle’s wife Cristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, along with Dennis Dutton, Jack Dutton and Craig Wadsworth.
“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones,” the families of the victims said in a joint statement. “This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words.”
The airport reported that an “aircraft incident” occurred around 10 a.m. local time and confirmed multiple fatalities. Officials said the names of the victims could not immediately be released due to a post-crash fire, and formal identification is pending confirmation by the medical examiner.
Concerns about Biffle’s involvement emerged after it was revealed that the aircraft was owned by GB Aviation Leasing, a company headquartered at an address linked to Biffle in Mooresville, North Carolina. Flight tracking data showed the plane departed Statesville at 10:06 a.m. before looping back toward the airport shortly afterward. The aircraft had been scheduled to travel from Sarasota, Florida, to the Bahamas later that day.
Biffle was a licensed pilot and was widely praised for using his aviation skills to assist residents in remote areas during severe flooding caused by Hurricane Helene last year.
“Beyond his success as a NASCAR driver, Greg Biffle lived a life of courage and compassion,” Gov. Stein wrote. “My heart goes out to all those who lost a loved one in this tragic crash.”
Biffle enjoyed a highly successful NASCAR career, winning 19 Cup Series races and finishing second in the championship standings in 2005 behind Tony Stewart. He recorded six top-10 finishes in the final Cup Series points standings, including third place in 2008 and fifth in 2012. He was nominated for the NASCAR Hall of Fame and was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.
“Greg was more than a champion driver,” NASCAR said in a statement. “He was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many. His passion for racing, integrity, and commitment to others made a lasting impact on the sport.”