Seven individuals, among them ex-NASCAR competitor Greg Biffle and three of his relatives, perished in an aircraft accident on Thursday at Statesville Regional Airport in Statesville, North Carolina.
Mr. Biffle, recognized for his 16 years competing in NASCAR’s premier league, was 55 years old.
The additional six casualties comprised Cristina, his spouse; Ryder, their five-year-old son; Emma, his 14-year-old daughter from a previous union; Dennis Dutton and his son Jack; and Craig Wadsworth, who also had connections within the NASCAR sphere.
In a collective announcement, the relatives expressed, “The demise of our dear ones has left us utterly heartbroken. This sorrowful event has plunged all our families into indescribable grief.”
Garrett Mitchell, a prominent figure on YouTube and occasional NASCAR participant, recognized as Cleetus McFarland, shared on Facebook that Mr. Biffle and his family were en route to see Mitchell and his own family. Biffle had previously been featured in multiple clips on Mitchell’s widely followed YouTube platform.
The Cessna C550 aircraft was slated for a flight from Statesville, roughly 40 miles north of Charlotte, to Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport. According to FlightAware data, it departed at 10:06 a.m. ET, covering merely 29 miles prior to crashing at 10:32 a.m. ET during an attempt to return and land at Statesville.
GB Aviation Leasing LLC held ownership of the aircraft. The location recorded on the FAA database for the plane corresponds with an address associated with Biffle in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Originating from Vancouver, Washington, Biffle commenced his competitive driving journey in the Pacific Northwest, a considerable distance from stock car racing’s primary hub in the Southeast. His significant opportunity arose in 1998 when team proprietor Jack Roush provided him with a spot in the Truck Series, the sport’s third division. He secured a championship in his third year, subsequently advancing to the Xfinity Series, the second division, where he also claimed a title. Following this, he progressed to the premier Cup Series.
From 2002 to 2022, Biffle participated in 16 seasons, either full or part-time, within NASCAR’s Cup Series. His full-time involvement in the Cup Series extended from 2003 to 2016, during which he achieved 19 victories and 92 finishes within the top five across 515 career appearances.
His most successful period was in 2005, concluding the points championship as runner-up to Tony Stewart. Biffle’s six triumphs that year represented the highest number for any competitor in the Cup Series, and his average finishing position of 11.9 was surpassed solely by Stewart.
(Yahoo Sports illustration)
Across six distinct seasons, Biffle concluded within the top 10 of the Cup Series points rankings. He achieved a third-place standing in 2008 and secured fifth place in 2012.
Among all drivers, Biffle stands as one of only two individuals to have captured championships in both the NASCAR Truck Series, the third-level division, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the second-level division.
Every one of Biffle’s 19 Cup Series victories occurred during his tenure with Roush Racing. His final win was achieved in Michigan in 2013, a decade after his initial triumph in 2003.
Jack Roush, in a declaration, stated, “I have been deprived of a cherished companion and collaborator within our NASCAR endeavor. His valuable input to our racing squad throughout the years is beyond quantification.”
Biffle competed for Roush Racing for almost his full Cup Series career until his departure from the team at the close of the 2016 season. In 2022, he participated in five races with the less competitive FDNY Racing team, never achieving a finish higher than 20th in any of those appearances. For NASCAR’s 75th anniversary in 2023, he was recognized as one of the organization’s 75 most accomplished drivers, and it would not be unexpected for Biffle to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame soon.
NASCAR issued the subsequent statement:
“Greg represented more than just a championship-winning driver; he was a cherished individual within the NASCAR community, an intense rival, and a companion to a multitude of people. His profound enthusiasm for racing, his unwavering honesty, and his dedication to both supporters and fellow racers left an enduring mark on the discipline. During his time on the circuit, Greg’s skill and determination secured him championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, in addition to numerous victories and honors in the NASCAR Cup Series. Extending beyond his competitive career, he devoted himself to improving our collective society. Particularly noteworthy, Greg dedicated innumerable hours assisting North Carolina residents during the crises that succeeded Hurricane Helene. His relentless efforts preserved human lives.”
During 2024, Biffle, holding a pilot’s license, utilized his helicopter and aviation proficiency to assist individuals in secluded regions of North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The hurricane had inundated roadways and inflicted considerable damage to infrastructure in the Appalachians due to torrential downpours.
“It has been quite active — a substantial amount of flight time in the helicopter, far exceeding anything I would have ever envisioned,” Biffle shared in an October 2024 discussion with NASCAR.com. “However, it is gratifying to deliver essential provisions and necessities to those most in need, who remain isolated. The current objective, even as thoroughfares gradually become accessible, is that food retailers are not yet operational. Certain food markets have been eradicated, fueling stations still lack petroleum, and electricity has not been restored universally, thus these communities continue to require provisions and sustenance, and they cannot simply enter their vehicles and search because they will inevitably exhaust their fuel supply and become marooned.”
“I held immense admiration for Greg as a competitor,” commented NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Gordon on X, “and we engaged in numerous challenging contests on the circuit. Similar to many others, I was motivated by his unwavering humanitarian efforts following Hurricane Helene. My deepest sympathies are extended to the Biffle household and all those experiencing distress.”
