Study Time: 3 minutes
Really bad news this afternoon in the world of professional sports:
Greg Biffle, a retired NASCAR driver and legend, was among six people killed in a plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday.
Three of the other victims were Biffle’s wife, Cristina, and her two children, a five-year-old boy named Ryder and a 14-year-old girl named Emma.
Biffle was 55 years old.
“I am devastated for the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart goes out to all who loved them,” family friend Richard Hudson wrote in X on December 18.
“They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who delighted millions of fans. But he was also an extraordinary person, and he will be remembered for his service to others and his fearlessness on the track.”
Congressman Hudson added in his message, referring to Biffles’ philanthropic contributions:
“The last time I spoke to Cristina, a few weeks ago, she asked how she could help with the relief efforts in Jamaica. Who were the Biffles.”
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)The Federal Aviation Administration also confirmed the crash to local NBC outlet WCNC Charlotte, where the outlet reported that the plane in question – a Cessno C550 – was owned by local company GB Aviation Leasing LLC and that the plane was under contract to Biffle.
The accident happened 26 minutes after the flight took off this morning.
The plane was supposed to go to Florida, and YouTube celebrity Garrett Mitchell posted on social media that the Biffle family was meant to spend the day with him down there.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm that Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that flight… because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I am so sorry to share this,” Mitchell wrote a few hours ago.
Greg Biffle, driver of the #51 Toyota Toyota, celebrates in victory mode after winning the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on June 7, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)Biffle began his NASCAR career in 1995. In 1998, the athlete won the Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year award, and the series champion in 2000.
The Vancouver, Washington native was also named one of NASCAR’s Greatest Drivers of 2023.
Last year, he received the 2024 NMPA Myers Brothers Humanitarian Award.
After Hurricane Helene devastated the southeastern United States in September 2024, Biffle became one of the first helicopter pilots to transport supplies and stranded people to and from disaster areas.
May he and his loved ones rest in peace.
