Former NASCAR standout Greg Biffle was among seven people who died when a plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in rural North Carolina on Thursday, according to confirmation from Gov. Josh Stein.
NASCAR announced on its official social media channels that Biffle’s wife, Cristina, and their children, Emma and Ryder, were also killed. The organization said three others, Dennis Dutton, Jack Dutton and Craig Wadsworth were among the victims.
The families of those who died said they were overwhelmed by grief, describing the loss as devastating and beyond words.
Airport officials said the identities of the victims could not immediately be released because a post-crash fire severely damaged the aircraft. Formal identification is pending confirmation by the medical examiner. Authorities reported that an “aircraft incident” occurred around 10 a.m. local time, resulting in multiple fatalities.
Speculation about Biffle’s involvement arose after it was discovered that the aircraft was owned by GB Aviation Leasing, a company linked to an address associated with Biffle in Mooresville, North Carolina. Flight tracking data from FlightAware showed the plane departing Statesville at 10:06 a.m. before suddenly turning back toward the airport. Records also indicated the aircraft was scheduled to travel later that day from Sarasota, Florida, to the Bahamas.
Biffle, who was a licensed pilot, had previously used his aviation skills to assist residents in hard-to-reach areas of North Carolina following severe flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
Gov. Stein paid tribute to Biffle, noting that beyond his racing achievements, he was known for his courage and compassion, particularly for his efforts to help communities in western North Carolina after the storm.
During his NASCAR career, Biffle won 19 Cup Series races and finished second in the championship standings in 2005 behind Tony Stewart. He recorded six top-10 finishes in the overall standings, including third place in 2008 and fifth in 2012. A nominee for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, he was also named one of the sport’s 75 Greatest Drivers.
NASCAR described Biffle as more than a champion, calling him a respected competitor, a trusted friend, and a lasting influence on the racing community.
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