NASCAR Legend Greg Biffle and Family Among Seven Killed in North Carolina Plane Crash
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December 18, 2025
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STATESVILLE, N.C. — The racing world is in mourning following a catastrophic plane crash Thursday morning at Statesville Regional Airport that claimed the lives of former NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his family, and three others. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein confirmed the tragedy, which occurred just miles from the heart of many NASCAR team operations.
The crash, which took place shortly after 10:00 a.m. local time, claimed a total of seven lives. According to official reports, Biffle was joined on the flight by his wife, Cristina, and their children, Emma and Ryder. Also identified among the deceased were Dennis and Jack Dutton and Craig Wadsworth. In a joint statement, the families expressed being "heartbroken beyond words" by the sudden loss.
Flight data from FlightAware provides a chilling timeline of the aircraft’s final moments. The plane, owned by Biffle’s company GB Aviation Leasing, departed Statesville at 10:06 a.m. but abruptly attempted to loop back toward the runway before the fatal impact. The flight was reportedly the first leg of a journey intended to take the family to the Bahamas via Sarasota, Florida.
Biffle, 55, was a revered figure in the garage, known for his 19 Cup Series victories and his 2005 season where he finished as the championship runner-up. Recently, however, his legacy transcended the track. An accomplished pilot, Biffle gained national headlines just last year for using his personal helicopter to deliver life-saving supplies to North Carolinians stranded by the historic flooding of Hurricane Helene.
"Greg was more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community," NASCAR stated in an official tribute. His accolades were vast—a nominee for the NASCAR Hall of Fame and one of the 75 Greatest Drivers in the sport's history—but his colleagues are remembering him today for his integrity and his tireless commitment to helping others in times of crisis.
As the medical examiner works toward formal identification following a post-crash fire, the Statesville community and the sports world at large are left grappling with the void left by "The Biff." From his 55 top-five finishes to his selfless humanitarian flights, Biffle’s impact on North Carolina and the sport of auto racing remains indelible
The crash, which took place shortly after 10:00 a.m. local time, claimed a total of seven lives. According to official reports, Biffle was joined on the flight by his wife, Cristina, and their children, Emma and Ryder. Also identified among the deceased were Dennis and Jack Dutton and Craig Wadsworth. In a joint statement, the families expressed being "heartbroken beyond words" by the sudden loss.
Flight data from FlightAware provides a chilling timeline of the aircraft’s final moments. The plane, owned by Biffle’s company GB Aviation Leasing, departed Statesville at 10:06 a.m. but abruptly attempted to loop back toward the runway before the fatal impact. The flight was reportedly the first leg of a journey intended to take the family to the Bahamas via Sarasota, Florida.
Biffle, 55, was a revered figure in the garage, known for his 19 Cup Series victories and his 2005 season where he finished as the championship runner-up. Recently, however, his legacy transcended the track. An accomplished pilot, Biffle gained national headlines just last year for using his personal helicopter to deliver life-saving supplies to North Carolinians stranded by the historic flooding of Hurricane Helene.
"Greg was more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community," NASCAR stated in an official tribute. His accolades were vast—a nominee for the NASCAR Hall of Fame and one of the 75 Greatest Drivers in the sport's history—but his colleagues are remembering him today for his integrity and his tireless commitment to helping others in times of crisis.
As the medical examiner works toward formal identification following a post-crash fire, the Statesville community and the sports world at large are left grappling with the void left by "The Biff." From his 55 top-five finishes to his selfless humanitarian flights, Biffle’s impact on North Carolina and the sport of auto racing remains indelible
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