Seven Victims Identified In Greg Biffle Plane Crash As Tributes Pour In From The NASCAR Community

What a terrible day. Earlier today, it was confirmed that NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was killed in a plane crash this morning at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The news was first confirmed by Biffle’s close friend Garrett Mitchell, better known as racer and YouTube personality Cleetus McFarland, on social media, who also reported that Biffle’s wife Cristina, 5-year old son Ryder and 14-year old daughter Emma were onboard. Biffle was 55-years old. Retired NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace […] The post Seven Victims Identified In Greg Biffle Plane Crash As Tributes Pour In From The NASCAR Community first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

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Seven Victims Identified In Greg Biffle Plane Crash As Tributes Pour In From The NASCAR Community

What a terrible day.

Earlier today, it was confirmed that NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was killed in a plane crash this morning at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.

The news was first confirmed by Biffle’s close friend Garrett Mitchell, better known as racer and YouTube personality Cleetus McFarland, on social media, who also reported that Biffle’s wife Cristina, 5-year old son Ryder and 14-year old daughter Emma were onboard.

Biffle was 55-years old.

Retired NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace also confirmed that longtime NASCAR community member Craig Wadsworth was on the plane and killed in the crash.

Craig Wadsworth drove of our motorhome for six years. Our family is heart broke right now He died on the airplane.
I will be giving my thoughts at a later date pic.twitter.com/2bvswPJx01
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) December 18, 2025

A short time ago, officials on the scene confirmed that seven victims were killed in the crash, and that authorities were working to identify everyone in the crash. But just minutes ago, the families of the victims released a joint statement confirming the names of those who were killed.

Along with Biffle and his wife Cristina Grossu, their son Ryder and Biffle’s daughter Emma, who he had with his previous wife Nicole Lunders, the victims include Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and his son, Jack.

Statement from the Greg Biffle families on the plane crash today: pic.twitter.com/dEgaHF6qQV
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 18, 2025

Immediately after the crash, tributes began to pour in from the NASCAR community and beyond, remembering Biffle not only for his success on the track but his personality in the garage and off the track and his heroic contributions to his community:

NASCAR 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.
Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a…
— NASCAR Communications (@NASCAR_Comms) December 18, 2025

this moment means so much more. something i will remember forever. heartbreaking day. RIP . pic.twitter.com/jKLLg1kloL
— Carson Hocevar (@CarsonHocevar) December 18, 2025

It’s been extremely hard to work today. My mind and my heart are all with the Biffle family. They were incredible people. So nice, and did so much for so many..
We will see you again one day. pic.twitter.com/Z0RXgqZVpO
— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) December 18, 2025

Tough day for our community. The Biff obviously made a big impact on the track winning over 50 races but it doesn’t even come close to the impact he made off the track especially with everything he did during the hurricane relief. Thoughts and prayers for the Biffle family.
— Chase Briscoe (@chasebriscoe) December 18, 2025

My heart is heavy hearing about the Statesville plane crash. The impact Biffle made on our sport and community can’t be put into words. So close to the holidays, this is heartbreaking. Thinking of his family & friends.
— Brandon Jones (@BrandonJonesRac) December 18, 2025

Just totally heartbreaking. Remembering all Greg did for the NASCAR community, and his humanitarian work for those in need during Hurricane Helene. All around class act. RIP pic.twitter.com/oBjc0YhiJ2
— Stefan Parsons (@StefanParsons_) December 18, 2025

Great race car driver, even better person.
And one of the most fun people to be around away from the racetrack.
Such a huge loss to our racing community. Thinking of his family and friends, and especially our good buddy @FishingSpotter.
RIP Biff. pic.twitter.com/hgWwGwM7y7
— Freddie Kraft (@FreddieKraft) December 18, 2025

Heartbreaking morning for the industry.. thoughts are with all those families affected and close with the Biffle family.
Greg Biffle impacted so many with his cleanup & rescue efforts and proved his heart was gold. Absolutely gutting news.
— Ryan Vargas (@RyanVargas_23) December 18, 2025

Our hearts are with the entire Biffle family, their loved ones, and everyone else involved during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences on behalf of the CARS Tour community. pic.twitter.com/zxwvmAZTcW
— CARS Tour (@CARSTour) December 18, 2025

Shocked and saddened to hear about Greg Biffle and his family he was a great racer and a great human being. My thoughts are with the family and everyone who loved him.
— Sterling Marlin (@SMR_114) December 18, 2025

Devastating news. I had such tremendous respect for Greg as a driver, and we shared countless tough battles on the track. Like so many others, I was inspired by his tireless relief work during Hurricane Helene. My heart goes out to the Biffle family and everyone hurting. pic.twitter.com/TN9vbqjpZ4
— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) December 18, 2025

Absolutely crushed about the loss of Greg Biffle and his beautiful family. An unbelievable talent behind the controls of literally anything. Checked all the boxes…Great guy, helped people in need, and most importantly was a great family man. Devastated for everyone!
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) December 18, 2025

Life is so fragile. It’s so hard to understand why it has to be the ones who have done so much and affected so many in such a positive way. May the biffs rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/8H11N3W56s
— Zane Smith (@ZaneSmith) December 18, 2025

One of the silver linings to such a small and intertwined industry is the support and love we have for every member of the NASCAR family. Today is a tough one. We've lost a family that made contributions far beyond the racetrack. Rest in Paradise friends.
— Justin Marks (@JustinMarksTH) December 18, 2025

Enjoy every damn moment. Thinking of those involved. Love you all. So sad.
— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) December 18, 2025

Statement from RFK Racing on today’s tragedy. pic.twitter.com/hrUnu8qlP8
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) December 18, 2025

Just terrible, especially this time of year.

The private Cessna Citation II with tail number N257BW reportedly crashed while taking off from the airport. According to flight tracking data, the plane took off today from the Statesville Regional Airport at around 10:06 AM eastern time before immediately turning around and attempting to land before crash landing near the runway. It’s reported that the pilot had reported having engine trouble while attempting to return to the airport.

Update..This was the flight path of the Cessna 550 Citation that took off from Statesville airport and immediately turned around and tried to land. It did crash on that landing attempt back at the airport. More–>https://t.co/kAMeQu1QQM pic.twitter.com/rBeME1bX8o
— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) December 18, 2025

The plane was headed to Bradenton, Florida, where Cleetus McFarland was hosting his Christmas Tree Drags race at Bradenton Motorsports Park on December 20. Biffle and McFarland were close friends, and teamed up for the rescue efforts following Hurricane Helene.

The Vancouver, Washington native got his start racing on short tracks around the Pacific Northwest, and began his NASCAR career driving full-time in the Truck Series in 1998. The following year, he won an incredible nine wins while finishing second in the final points standings. He would go on to win the Truck Series championship in 2000 before moving up to the then-Busch Series (now O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) in 2001.

He won his first and only Busch Series title in 2002 while also making a limited number of Cup Series starts for various teams, including Roush Racing and Petty Enterprises. And the following year, Biffle finally got his shot in the big leagues when it was announced that he would be joining Roush full time as the driver of their #16 car.

He remained with Roush for his entire Cup Series career, winning 19 races and finishing as high as second in the points standings during the 2005 season. Biffle retired from full-time racing after the 2016 season, but returned to the Cup Series in 2022 to make a handful of starts for the NY Racing Team, his first races in the Cup Series in six years. Over his nearly two-decade career, Biffle won 56 races across the sport’s top three series.

Biffle was an avid pilot, who worked tirelessly in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene to deliver supplies and Starlink internet to those who were stranded and cut off due to the storm and resulting floods. He flew hundreds of rescue missions, and was later recognized by NASCAR for his heroic efforts and served as the honorary starter for the 2024 Bank of America 400 at the Charlotte Roval.

Earlier this year, he returned to the skies over North Carolina in his helicopter, this time to spread some joy to children with some help from the Easter bunny by air-dropping over 1,000 Easter eggs.

#BREAKING: Nascar legend, Greg Biffle, who rescued countless victims during Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina with his helicopter…
…has returned to the mountains with the Easter Bunny, airdropping 1,000 Easter eggs to kids in Black Mountain NC
HAPPY EASTER!!! pic.twitter.com/e2HQ7eg0qA
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) April 20, 2025

Such a massive loss not only for the NASCAR community, but for the entire state of North Carolina and the world.

Rest in peace to Greg Biffle and everyone else we lost, and all of our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends who are grieving their tragic loss.The post Seven Victims Identified In Greg Biffle Plane Crash As Tributes Pour In From The NASCAR Community first appeared on Whiskey Riff.