NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle, known for his successful motorsports career, died Thursday morning after his plane crashed near Statesville, North Carolina. The accident occurred around 10:15 am, claiming the lives of Biffle, his wife Cristina, their children Emma and Ryder, and others on board.
Details Emerge Following Statesville Plane Crash
Officials at Statesville Regional Airport confirmed the crash, which happened less than an hour north of Charlotte. The aircraft involved was a Cessna C550 owned by Biffle. Garrett Mitchell, a well-known figure in the motorsports community also recognized as Cleetus McFarland, shared confirmation of the tragedy on social media early Thursday afternoon.
“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,”
Garrett Mitchell posted to Facebook at 1:25 pm Thursday.
“We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
Kenny Wallace, another respected NASCAR veteran, publicly confirmed that Craig Wadsworth, formerly his motorcoach driver, was also among the victims.
Biffle’s Racing Achievements and Humanitarian Efforts
Greg Biffle, originally from Vancouver, Washington, enjoyed a decorated career in motorsports. He accumulated 19 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series, won championships in both the Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series, and was last a full-time Cup driver in 2016 for RFK Racing, previously known as Roush-Fenway Racing. Biffle’s standout year was 2005, in which he secured six Cup victories and finished second overall to Tony Stewart. In 2023, NASCAR honored him as one of its 75 Greatest Drivers.
In addition to his professional achievements, Biffle was active in community service. Following Hurricane Helene in September 2024, he used his own helicopter to deliver critical aid across Western North Carolina, reaching remote or isolated communities. Mitchell played a similar role, and the shared experience strengthened their friendship. Biffle became a regular participant in events organized by Mitchell after the hurricane, deepening his ties within the motorsport community.
Biffle’s Recent Participation and Ongoing Legacy
Biffle continued to compete at high-profile venues, including Stafford Speedway, well after his full-time Cup days. He took part in the first ever SRX Series event in June 2021 at Stafford, where he finished as the runner-up to Doug Coby, a standout in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Later, Biffle returned to Stafford, joining the New England 900 events hosted by Cleetus McFarland in July 2024, finishing 14th and then second behind Ryan Preece, another prominent Cup Series driver and Stafford regular.
The loss of Biffle, his family, and those accompanying him in the crash leaves a deep void in NASCAR and motorsports communities. His competitive spirit, contributions to charitable efforts, and strong relationships with colleagues like Garrett Mitchell and Craig Wadsworth ensure his legacy will be remembered both on and off the track. The accident’s impact continues to reverberate, with many awaiting further details as investigations proceed.
