Beloved NASCAR Champion Greg Biffle, Wife, Children, and Two Others Perish in Devastating Statesville Plane Crash

Statesville, NC – A tragic aviation incident at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning has claimed the lives of NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle, their young son Ryder, Biffle’s daughter Emma, and three other individuals. The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff, has sent shockwaves through the motorsports community and beyond, prompting widespread tributes and expressions of grief.

First Sergeant Chris Knox of the North Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed the grim details, describing the scene as “one of the worst crashes” he had ever witnessed. Initially, authorities confirmed seven deceased occupants aboard the aircraft. While Mr. Greg Biffle was identified as one of the victims, further confirmation from law enforcement later indicated that the deceased included Mr. Biffle and his immediate family.

The tragic news was first shared publicly by Garrett Mitchell, known online as YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, a close friend of Biffle. Mitchell posted on social media channels that the Biffle family had been en route to spend the afternoon with him. “Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane… because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this,” Mitchell stated, underscoring the personal connection and profound loss felt by those close to the family.

Biffle and Mitchell had reportedly cultivated a strong friendship over the past five years, united by shared interests in natural disaster relief efforts and Mitchell’s own aspirations in NASCAR, including sporadic ARCA starts.

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A joint statement released by the Biffle, Grossu, Dutton, and Lunders families offered a poignant account of the individuals lost: “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 (mother – Nicole Lunders). Emma was a wonderful human being with a kind soul who was loved by many people. Ryder was an active, curious and infinitely joyful child.”

The statement continued, acknowledging the other victims: “Dennis Dutton and his son Jack were deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them. Craig Wadsworth was beloved by many in the NASCAR community and will be missed by those who knew him. Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives.” The families concluded their statement by requesting privacy, compassion, and understanding during their period of mourning and expressed gratitude for the support extended to them.

NASCAR itself issued a statement on Thursday, expressing its profound sorrow. “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 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.”

The sanctioning body lauded Biffle’s on-track achievements, noting his championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (2002) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2000), along with numerous wins and accolades in the NASCAR Cup Series. Beyond his racing career, NASCAR highlighted his significant philanthropic contributions, particularly his tireless efforts in assisting citizens of North Carolina in the aftermath of 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,” the statement read.

Greg Biffle spent his entire full-time NASCAR Cup Series career with Roush Racing, now known as RFK Racing. The team also released a statement mourning the loss of their former driver and his family.

The fatal incident occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. at Statesville Regional Airport, a facility frequently utilized by various entities within the motorsports industry, located roughly 45 miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to flight tracking data, the Cessna C550, registered under Biffle’s company, GB Aviation Leasing, LLC, departed Statesville at approximately 10:06 a.m. The aircraft climbed to a maximum altitude of 4,300 feet by 10:08 a.m. However, the plane began to descend approximately one mile from its departure point. By the time it was eleven miles from the airport, the aircraft initiated a turnaround, attempting to return to Statesville Regional. The final recorded data point at 10:15 a.m. indicated the plane was less than half a mile from the airport, aligned with the runway, and in the vicinity of Lakewood Golf Club, at an altitude of around 800 feet and a speed of 95 knots (109 mph). The aircraft ultimately crashed at the east end of the runway.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office was the primary agency overseeing the immediate aftermath of the crash. They were later joined on-site by representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the North Carolina State Patrol, who are now leading the investigation into the cause of the accident.

At a brief press conference held shortly after noon, airport manager John Ferguson provided limited details. “Like we said, at approximately 10:15 a.m., we got a report of a jet that crashed off the end of the runway on the east end. By time I came out, it was fully engulfed. We’ve had multiple agencies that have come. The FAA arrived at about 12 o’clock today. They are taking over the scene and the investigation. We have no information on the cause. The airport is closed until further notice. It will take time to get the debris off the runway.”

Weather conditions at the time of the incident have been noted as a potential factor. Dan DePodwin, AccuWeather Vice President of Forecasting Operations, stated, "Adverse weather conditions were reported in the vicinity of Statesville Regional Airport around the time of the plane crash. Heavy drizzle and a cloud ceiling near 1,200 feet were reported at 10:15 a.m. The cloud ceiling had reportedly lowered to around 400 feet, with heavy rain reducing visibility to less than 2 miles at 10:30 a.m. Weather conditions are often a critical factor that investigators carefully review after a plane crash. It may take months to a year or longer for investigators to determine if the weather conditions contributed to the crash."

Greg Biffle, 54, was a prominent figure in NASCAR for over two decades. He was named one of the sport’s 75 greatest drivers in 2023. His career was highlighted by a championship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2002 and a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2000. He accumulated 19 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series, with his last victory coming in 2012. He also made sporadic starts in the series in subsequent years.

In recent years, Biffle had become increasingly dedicated to philanthropic work. He founded the Greg Biffle Foundation, focusing on animal welfare. His commitment to disaster relief was notably demonstrated in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024. A registered pilot, Biffle utilized his helicopter to deliver essential supplies to communities in Western North Carolina affected by the devastating storm. His wife, Cristina Grossu Biffle, was actively involved in these charitable endeavors alongside him. The loss of their children, Emma and Ryder, adds another layer of profound tragedy to the incident. Dennis Dutton and his son Jack, along with Craig Wadsworth, were also confirmed as victims. The identities and specific connections of Dutton, Jack, and Wadsworth to Biffle and his family are still being fully detailed by investigators.

The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) expected to lead the formal inquiry, working in conjunction with the FAA and state authorities. The NTSB will meticulously analyze all available data, including flight recorders, maintenance records, and witness testimonies, to determine the factors that led to this devastating event. The full scope of the investigation is anticipated to take an extended period.

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