A fiery plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday claimed the lives of NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children, Emma and Ryder, sending shock through the racing community.
Immediate Reactions from the Racing World
Mark Faber, executive vice president and general manager of Texas Motor Speedway, said the loss “reverberated coast to coast in the industry.” Faber added that Biffle will be remembered at the North Texas track as a champion. He noted that Biffle claimed two of his 19 Cup Series wins at Texas Motor Speedway. Faber described Biffle as “the consummate professional,” and added, “When he was here, he was the consummate professional, but he was always someone who was friendly to our team and our staff.”
NASCAR released a statement Thursday night that read:
> “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.”
Faber echoed the sentiment, saying:
> “We’re really indebted to him for what he did and he saved so many people and he helped so many people, and that’s why it’s so tragic to us right now thinking about, certainly he was great on the track and in races but also what he meant to numbers of people throughout the United States for his efforts.”
Investigation and Flight Details
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it had a team traveling to the crash site late Thursday. Investigators will work to determine what happened after the plane took off bound for Sarasota. Flight-tracking data shows the aircraft turned around shortly after takeoff.
The NTSB is expected to provide an initial briefing early Friday.
Biffle’s Aviation Background and Humanitarian Work
Beyond racing, Biffle was an experienced pilot. He posted a photo of himself flying the same aircraft in September. After Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina last year, Biffle flew helicopter missions to rescue stranded residents and deliver supplies.
In July, he announced that his charity would raise funds for those affected by the Central Texas floods. Faber said it’s that humanitarian spirit-more than the race wins-that fans and friends will remember most.
Key Takeaways
- Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their children Emma and Ryder were killed in a plane crash.
- NASCAR and the racing community expressed deep sorrow and highlighted Biffle’s racing achievements and charitable efforts.
- The NTSB is investigating the crash, with an initial briefing scheduled for early Friday.
- Biffle’s aviation experience and humanitarian work during Hurricane Helene and Central Texas floods are being remembered.
The racing world mourns the loss of a champion driver and a devoted humanitarian, whose impact extended far beyond the track.
