Greg Biffle, Immediate Family Among Seven Killed in Plane Crash

Greg Biffle, a 19-time race winner in NASCAR's premier series, and his immediate family were killed in a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina on Thursday, December 18.

A Cessna 550 Citation owned by GB Aviation, a company owned by Biffle, crashed on Thursday morning at Statesville Regional Airport. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirms there were seven fatalities in the incident.

A joint statement from the Biffle, Grossu, Dutton and Lunders Families confirmed Greg, his wife Cristina, and his children Ryder and Emma were among the deceased, along with Dennis Dutton, Sutton's son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and authorities have not yet released the names of those on board the aircraft or further details about potential causes.

Biffle, born in Vancouver, Washington, competed in the NASCAR Cup Series full-time from 2003 to 2016. He finished second in the 2005 NASCAR Cup Series championship standings, and was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.

"NASCAR is devastated by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daugther Emma, son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton in a fatal plane crash," said NASCAR in a statement.

"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."

For most of his NASCAR career, Biffle piloted the No. 16 for Roush Racing (now RFK Racing). Biffle won back-to-back Southern 500s, taking victory in the crown jewel event in 2005 and 2006. When Chase Briscoe won the event in 2025, he became the first driver to win consecutive Southern 500s since Biffle did so.

"All of us at RFK Racing are devastated by the heartbreaking news involving the Biffle family," said RFK Racing in a statement. "Greg BIffle has long been a cherished member of our racing family. As a person, family man and driver, his accomplishments helped form a cornerstone of our organization.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the Biffle family and to all of their loved ones and friends during this incredibly difficult time."

"The entire Charlotte sports community has suffered a tremendous loss," said Jack Roush. "The tragic accident involving Greg Biffle and his family today is incredibly heartbreaking. I have lost a dear friend and partner in our NASCAR program. His contributions to our race team over the years are immeasurable.

"My condolences are with all those who loved and knew Greg and his family."

In 2022, Biffle competed in five events in the NASCAR Cup Series with NY Racing.

In 515 Cup Series starts, Biffle recorded 19 wins, 92 top-fives and 175 top-10s. Before joining the Cup Series, Biffle won the 2002 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship and the 2000 NSCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship.

In 2019, Biffle scored his last NASCAR National Series victory. The win came at Texas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Biffle, along with YouTube personality and ARCA Menards Series competitor Garett Mitchell (better known as Cleetus McFarland), was heavily involved in transporting supplies to victims of Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Mitchell shared on his personal Facebook account that Biffle and his family were en route to Florida to visit him prior to the incident

He also competed in the Camping World SRX Series between 2021 and 2023, with a best finish of second at Stafford Speedway and South Boston Speedway.

-Photo credit: Tyler Barrick/Autostock