Renowned NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has tragically passed away following a devastating plane crash in North Carolina, as confirmed by a close friend.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning when a Cessna C550 private jet, owned by the 55-year-old Biffle, attempted a crash landing at Statesville Regional Airport around 10:15 a.m. According to aviation records, the crash resulted in multiple fatalities.
The aircraft, en route to Sarasota, Florida, was engulfed in flames upon impact, prompting a swift response from emergency crews to the scene, located approximately 45 minutes from Charlotte.
Later that day, Garrett Mitchell, a friend of Biffle’s, announced the heartbreaking news that the NASCAR star was on the ill-fated flight.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their son Ryder were on the plane… they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,” Mitchell shared in a Facebook post. Mitchell, who frequently collaborates with Biffle in YouTube videos, expressed his profound sorrow over the loss.
“We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this,” he wrote, also noting uncertainty about whether Biffle’s daughter, Emma, was among those on board.
It remains unclear how many people were on the jet when it plummeted to the ground.
The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) told the Daily Mail that the Cessna C550 crashed while attempting to land.
NASCAR icon Greg Biffle tragically died in a fiery plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina Thursday morning, according to his friend
Biffle is seen with his wife, Cristina and their five-year-old son, Ryder
The plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport before a massive fire erupted on the runway
Biffle previously posted a picture of him piloting the very same plane in September.
According to FAA records, the aircraft belongs to the semi-retired NASCAR driver who was seen in a smiling snap with President Donald Trump in February at the NASCAR Cup series in Daytona Beach, Florida.
He married his ex-wife, Nicole Lunders, in October 2007. They share a teenage daughter, Emma Elizabeth, together. The pair got divorced in 2016.
Biffle went on to marry his current wife, Cristina Grossu, in January 2023 after getting engaged in 2021. They share a five-year-old son named Ryder.
Nearly 24 hours before the fatal crash, Cristina posted a picture in the car on her Instagram story with the caption: ‘Busy day today.’
She then shared a picture of Martha Stewart with an inspirational statement on it.
Grossu is a realtor, CEO of My Replica Ring, and a travel agent for CG Luxe Travel, according to her Instagram account.
The couple often posted pictures together online of each other at family and racing events.
Garrett Mitchell (left) is seen with Biffle (bottom right) and other friends
Biffle is seen taking a selfie with President Donald Trump in February in Daytona Beach, Florida
Biffle made headlines last year for flying the plane around The Tar Heel State, rescuing stranded citizens, and running emergency relief during Hurricane Helene.
The professional race car driver, also known as ‘the Biff’, was born in Vancouver, Washington, and started his racing career in the Pacific Northwest.
The tragedy comes 10 years after Biffle was involved in a minor plane crash on the runway at Kentucky’s Lexington Airport.
He and two pilots were left unharmed after a landing-gear malfunction caused his plane to collapse while landing at the airport, NASCAR said at the time.
Biffle went on to call the pilots ‘heroes’ for stopping the wing from leaving the runway and heading into the grass.
‘My pilots did a remarkable job,’ he said.
The avid flyer is seen inside the same plane that crashed Thursday
Nascar also has an unbelievable history of big names dying in plane crashes.
Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison, Richie Panch, Curtis Turner, Jack Roush, and more have sadly lost their lives in previous incidents.
In 2004, 10 NASCAR staffers from the same team were all killed in a plane crash into the mountains in Stuart, Virginia.
The Hendrick Motorsports team members and two pilots tragically died in the incident.
Multiple members of the Hendrick family, including Hendrick Motorsports President John Hendrick, his twin daughters, and Ricky Hendrick, former Busch Series driver, died.
