A devastating tragedy has struck the NASCAR community. The racing world is in mourning today following the confirmation that NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, his wife, and his two young children have died in a plane crash.
The private aircraft, owned by Biffle, crashed and erupted into a fireball shortly after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday morning.
The Victims
While initial reports only confirmed fatalities, family friends and officials have now verified the heartbreaking truth. Killed in the crash were:
- Greg Biffle (55), a 19-time NASCAR Cup Series winner.
- Cristina Grossu Biffle, his wife.
- Emma Biffle (14), his daughter.
- Ryder Biffle (5), his son.
According to reports, two other individuals, including the pilot, also perished in the accident, bringing the death toll to six.
The Crash Details
The tragedy unfolded around 10:15 AM ET. The plane, a Cessna C550 Citation (Tail N257BW), departed Statesville Regional Airport but reportedly encountered engine trouble almost immediately.
Flight tracking data shows the pilot attempted to turn the aircraft around for an emergency landing. Tragically, the plane did not make it back to the runway, crashing into the ground and exploding upon impact.
Witnesses described a massive plume of black smoke visible from miles away, and emergency responders—including HazMat and fire crews—rushed to the scene but found no survivors.
“We Are Devastated”
The confirmation came from close family friend and YouTuber Garrett Mitchell (known as “Cleetus McFarland”), who revealed the family was flying to visit him for the afternoon.
“I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane,” Mitchell wrote in a statement. “We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
Rep. Richard Hudson also confirmed the news, calling Biffle a “great NASCAR champion” and noting the family’s recent humanitarian work delivering supplies to Hurricane Helene victims.
Tamara’s Take
By Tamara Fellner
There are no words for a loss this total. Greg Biffle was more than a driver; he was a hero who used this very same skill—flying—to save lives during Hurricane Helene just months ago.
To see an entire family wiped out in seconds is a stark, cruel reminder of how fragile life truly is. DailyNewsEdit sends our deepest prayers to the extended Biffle and Grossu families.
