Patriot Brief
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What Happened: NASCAR champion Greg Biffle and several others were killed in a plane crash at a North Carolina airport.
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Why It Matters: Biffle was a major figure in American motorsports and a respected humanitarian beyond racing.
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Bottom Line: The racing world lost a legend, and federal investigators are now working to determine what went wrong.
Former NASCAR star Greg Biffle was among multiple people killed Thursday morning in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in rural North Carolina, according to Gov. Josh Stein.
NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his wife, daughter, and son have died in a plane crash in North Carolina, according to YouTuber Garrett Mitchell.
Mitchell says the Biffle family was headed to spend the afternoon with him.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife… pic.twitter.com/qNffOwDVzQ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 18, 2025
NASCAR confirmed Biffle’s death in a public statement, saying his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, and three additional individuals were also killed. Law enforcement has not yet formally confirmed the identities due to the severity of the 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,” NASCAR said. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”
Airport officials said an “aircraft incident” occurred around 10 a.m. local time and resulted in several fatalities. Names have not been officially released due to a post-crash fire, with identification pending confirmation by the medical examiner.
Concerns that Biffle was involved surfaced after it was revealed the aircraft was owned by GB Aviation Leasing, a company headquartered at an address matching Biffle’s residence in Mooresville, North Carolina. Flight tracking data shows the plane departed Statesville at 10:06 a.m. before abruptly looping back toward the airport.
The aircraft had been scheduled to fly from Sarasota, Florida, to the Bahamas later that day.
Beyond racing, Biffle was a licensed pilot and gained national attention last year for using his helicopter to assist residents in western North Carolina after devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
“Beyond his success as a NASCAR driver, Greg Biffle lived a life of courage and compassion,” Gov. Stein wrote. “My heart goes out to all those who lost a loved one in this tragic crash.”
Biffle, 55, won 19 Cup Series races and was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.