NASCAR Legend Greg Biffle Dies in Plane Crash

A private plane crash claimed the lives of former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu, daughter Emma aged 14, and son Ryder aged 6. Three other individuals also perished in the incident involving a Cessna Citation C550 business jet. The aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina around 10:15 a.m. local time.

Seven people died in total when the jet burst into flames upon impact. The National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation, sending a go-team to the site. Federal Aviation Administration records linked the plane to GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company managed by Biffle.

Biffle, aged 55, competed in NASCAR’s top Cup Series for 16 seasons, securing 19 victories in 515 starts. He claimed the 2002 Busch Series championship and the 2000 Craftsman Truck Series title. NASCAR named him one of its 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.

The family traveled from North Carolina toward Florida at the time of the crash. Biffle held a pilot license rated for single-engine, multi-engine airplanes, and rotorcraft-helicopters. This marked his second involvement in a plane incident, following an unharmed crash in Kentucky in 2011.

Biffle earned recognition for humanitarian efforts, particularly organizing relief flights after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina. Tributes from the NASCAR community highlighted his on-track achievements and off-track compassion.

The crash site required a multi-agency response due to the post-impact fire. Victim identification awaited confirmation from the medical examiner’s office. Statesville lies approximately 45 miles north of Charlotte, a hub for NASCAR teams.