Legendary NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were killed in a plane crash on Thursday morning near Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The Cessna C550, a private jet registered to a company owned by Biffle, crash-landed just 26 minutes after taking off from the same airport. The aircraft was reportedly headed to Florida to visit YouTuber Garrett Mitchell, known as Cleetus McFarland, and his family, but turned back toward the airport shortly after takeoff.
Biffle, 55, was an avid pilot who frequently shared images from his Cessna jet's cockpit. He had a distinguished NASCAR career, starting in 1995, winning the Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year in 1998 and a Series championship in 2000. Over 14 seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series, Biffle competed in 515 races, securing 19 wins and six top-10 finishes in the final standings, including a runner-up position in 2005. He retired from full-time driving in 2016 and was recognized as one of the 75 greatest drivers ever in 2023, with a nomination for the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class. Congressman Richard Hudson expressed devastation, remembering Biffle not only as a NASCAR champion but also as an extraordinary person dedicated to helping others. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the fatal crash.
