Femi Ashekun/
Retired NASCAR great, Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle, and their two young children were among seven people killed when the family’s private jet crashed in North Carolina on Thursday, authorities and the racing community confirmed.
The Cessna Citation 550 business jet, owned by Biffle through his company GB Aviation Leasing, went down while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, shortly after departing on a trip to Sarasota, Florida.
All on board, including Biffle, his 35-year-old wife Cristina, their 14-year-old daughter Emma and five-year-old son Ryder, perished in the crash, along with family friends Craig Wadsworth and father-and-son pair Dennis and Jack Dutton.
Biffle, 55, was celebrated as one of NASCAR’s top drivers, earning championships in the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series and 19 victories in the Cup Series during a career spanning the early 2000s into the 2010s.
NASCAR, the leading American stock car racing organisation, features high-speed races on oval and road courses, with drivers competing in specially built cars resembling production vehicles.
Beyond the racetrack, Biffle was widely respected for his humanitarian efforts. After Hurricane Helene in 2024, he used his own helicopter to ferry supplies and assist in rescue operations, earning the NASCAR Myers Brothers Award.
In a statement, NASCAR described Biffle as “more than a champion driver, a beloved member of the community, a fierce competitor and a friend to so many,” extending condolences to the families of all victims.
Family members remembered Greg and Cristina as devoted parents.
Emma was described as “a wonderful human being with a kind soul” and Ryder as “an active, curious and infinitely joyful child.”
They also honoured Wadsworth and the Duttons for the impact they had on those around them.
Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are leading a probe into the accident, analysing flight data and recovered cockpit recordings for clues about why the jet turned back towards Statesville shortly after take-off.
Tributes have poured in from political figures, including North Carolina Congressman, Richard Hudson, who called the loss “devastating” and praised the Biffles for their generosity and service to others.
The crash has left the NASCAR community and fans worldwide mourning the sudden loss of a cherished racing icon, his family, and close friends.
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