Tragic Plane Crash Claims Life of NASCAR Legend Greg Biffle and His Family

Statesville, North Carolina – December 22, 2025

In a devastating tragedy that has shocked the NASCAR community and beyond, former NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children were among seven people killed when a private jet crashed at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

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Greg Biffle Survived Plane ‘Mechanical Failure’ 14 Years Before …

Greg Biffle in his racing prime, celebrating a victory.

The Cessna C550 business jet, registered to a company affiliated with Biffle, took off from the airport around 10:06 a.m. but attempted an emergency return shortly after. Flight tracking data shows the plane reached only about 2,000 feet before turning back. It crashed while attempting to land, striking light poles and trees short of the runway before erupting in flames.

All seven aboard perished: Greg Biffle, 55; his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle; their 5-year-old son Ryder; Biffle’s 14-year-old daughter Emma (from a previous marriage); pilot Dennis Dutton; Dutton’s son Jack; and family friend Craig Wadsworth.

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Greg Biffle’s Family: What to Know About His Wife and 2 Kids

Greg Biffle with his family in happier times.

A joint statement from the Biffle, Grossu, Dutton, and Lunders families read: “We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all our families heartbroken beyond words. Greg and Cristina were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma.”

Reports indicate that moments before the crash, a passenger texted a family member about an “emergency landing,” and Biffle’s wife Cristina reportedly messaged her mother saying “we’re in trouble.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with a preliminary report expected in about 30 days. Investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder and are examining possible factors, including weather conditions—low clouds and light rain were present in the area.

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Statesville Regional Airport | Statesville NC

Statesville Regional Airport, where the tragedy unfolded.

Statesville Regional Airport, located about 45 miles north of Charlotte, serves corporate aviation and several NASCAR teams. It remained closed following the incident as investigators worked the scene.

Witnesses described hearing a loud boom and seeing flames engulf the wreckage. Airport director John Ferguson arrived to find the jet already on fire.

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Scene of a similar private jet crash (illustrative).

Greg Biffle, nicknamed “The Biff,” was a NASCAR icon. Born in Vancouver, Washington, he rose through the ranks, winning the 2000 Craftsman Truck Series championship and the 2002 Xfinity Series title. In the Cup Series, he secured 19 victories, with a career-best second place in the 2005 standings.

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Biffle behind the wheel of his No. 16 Ford during his Roush Fenway Racing days.

In 2023, NASCAR named him one of its 75 Greatest Drivers. After retiring in 2016, he made occasional returns, including a Daytona 500 start in 2022.

Beyond racing, Biffle was celebrated for his humanitarian efforts. Following Hurricane Helene in 2024, he used his personal helicopter to deliver supplies and rescue stranded residents in western North Carolina, earning widespread praise.

NASCAR issued a statement: “Greg was more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community… Most notably, Greg spent countless hours helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives.”

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein called it “heartbreaking news,” highlighting Biffle’s “courage and compassion.”

YouTuber and friend Garrett Mitchell (Cleetus McFarland) revealed the family was en route to visit him in Florida when the crash occurred. “We are devastated,” he posted.

Tributes poured in from across the sport. Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon wrote: “I had such tremendous respect for Greg as a driver… I was inspired by his tireless relief work.”

U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, a family friend, said: “They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others.”

This marks another somber chapter in aviation tragedies involving NASCAR figures, underscoring the risks faced by those in the high-speed world of motorsport.

The investigation continues, but the loss of Greg Biffle—a fierce competitor, devoted father, and selfless hero—leaves an irreplaceable void.