Greg Biffle, a veteran racecar driver who earned multiple championships and won dozens of races in NASCAR’s national series over a multi-decade career, has died in a North Carolina plane crash, according to authorities at the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and confirmed via a statement from his relatives.
He was 55.
A plane registered to his company GB Aviation Leasing crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Dec. 18. WSOC reports the crash occurred at around 10:20 a.m. ET; the plane initially took off from Statesville but turned around and returned to the airport shortly after.
In all, seven deaths were confirmed. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said it was unable to confirm the identities of those deceased but that Biffle was believed to have been one of the victims based on information from airport employees.
A later joint statement issued from Biffle’s family confirmed the loss of not just Biffle himself but also wife Cristina and children Emma and Ryder.
“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones,” the statement read. “This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words.”
NASCAR later released its own statement.
“NASCAR is devastated by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton in a fatal plane crash,” a NASCAR spokesperson said. “Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many. His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.
“On the track, Greg’s talent and tenacity earned him championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, as well as numerous wins and accolades in the NASCAR Cup Series. Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the betterment of our community. Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Greg’s entire family, friends, and all who were touched by his life.”
Garrett Mitchell, better known as driver and YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, posted on Facebook that Biffle and his family were en route to “spend the afternoon with us.”
Many in the sport’s industry and outside it offered their condolences on social media, including Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina.
“I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,” Hudson wrote on social media. “They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans. But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track.”
In his own social media post, Kenny Wallace said Wadsworth was a longtime motorhome driver of his.
Over a 16-season NASCAR Cup Series career that concluded in 2022, Biffle earned 19 wins, 92 top fives and 175 top 10s, with his final victory coming in 2013. Statistically, his best year came in 2005 via six wins and a runner-up finish in points.
Biffle was the 2000 Truck champion and won 17 races between 1998 and 2020 in the series, most recently through a one-off win in 2019 for Kyle Busch Motorsports. In 1999, his nine wins in a single season in the series, a record that stood until Corey Heim broke it in 2025 with 10.
He went on to snag the 2002 O’Reilly championship prior to his Cup promotion, earning 20 wins between 1996 and 2010.
Though he hadn’t made a NASCAR start since 2022, Biffle had become an occasional competitor in the ARCA Menards Series West in recent years, scoring a pair of top fives for Sigma Performance Services in 2025.
Following his move away from full-time racing, Biffle, who had his pilot’s license and owned multiple aircraft, used his helicopter to assist in relief efforts in North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.
At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.
I’ll miss “The Biff”. Was always fun to watch him race, and he always seemed like a throwback to an earlier era of drivers.
It’s telling that he’s arguably better known for the work he did aiding flood victims than he is for his impressive driving resume. Such a strong indicator he wanted to give back, and recognized how fortunate he had been up to that point.
Godspeed, Mr. Biffle. You and your family will not be forgotten.
Saw the news about “Statesville” and “Cessna Citation” and was instantly concerned it was Greg Biffle. I don’t know why God allows bad things to happen to good people. Guess we’ll know when we get to Heaven.
Brought back some sad memories –I went to a Davey Allison public memorial just after his death. And, already had tix to Rockingham the week after Dale died –went to his DEI shop along with many others gathered there.
Remarkable racer and laudable humanitarian.
Rest in peace Biffle family,
Absolutely heartbreaking. Other than that, I’m at a loss for words.
So very sad. Prayers to the families and friends of those lost.