STATESVILLE, N.C. — Longtime NASCAR racer Greg Biffle and six others are believed to be dead following a corporate jet crash Thursday morning at Statesville Regional Airport.
An update from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on Thursday afternoon all but confirmed the news.
“We can say at this point that seven confirmed occupants that were on the aircraft are deceased,” said Trooper Chris Knox during a press conference. “Those names, we cannot definitively give you those names at this point because of the post-crash fire. The only person we are able to say is we believe Mr. Greg Biffle is one of those seven deceased occupants due to not only the information of those occupants that was recorded, but also visual from staff at the airport that he was one of those occupants that was on the plane at the time. The other names, we will have a list once we have those, but just like with a crash with an automobile we will have to await medical examiner confirmation.”
Biffle’s wife, Cristina, and their son Ryder Jack, and Biffle’s daughter Emma were also on board. The three others, members of the NASCAR community who are believed dead are Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and his son, Jack Dutton.
The Cessna Citation, which was registered to Biffle’s company — GB Aviation Leasing — crashed at approximately 10:15 a.m. The pilot reported an engine issue shortly after takeoff and was attempting to land back at the airport when the crash occurred.
The FAA is on site and investigating the incident.
Biffle earned the Myers Brothers Award as the result of his relief efforts to the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains following Hurricane Helene in 2024. Biffle flew hundreds of missions in his helicopter, shuttling supplies to those in need.
Biffle, 55, made 842 NASCAR national series starts with the first coming in 1996. The Washington native earned the 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship and the 2002 NASCAR Xfinity Series title. He also made his Cup Series debut in 2002.
Over 16 years, Biffle made 515 Cup Series starts. The majority of those starts came with Roush Fenway Racing.
Biffle won 19 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway twice.
He also picked up 20 victories in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and another 17 in the Craftsman Truck Series.
Biffle made headlines and earned his spot on the NASCAR national scene after his success during the Winter Heat series during the mid-1990s at Tucson (Ariz.) Speedway.
Biffle was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2022.
NASCAR released a statement early Thursday evening:
“NASCAR is devastated by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton in a fatal plane crash.
“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.
“On the track, Greg’s talent and tenacity earned him championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, as well as numerous wins and accolades in the NASCAR Cup Series. Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the betterment of our community. Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Greg’s entire family, friends, and all who were touched by his life.”
