Greg Biffle Amongst Seven Lifeless In North Carolina Airplane Crash

STATESVILLE, N.C. — Longtime NASCAR racer Greg Biffle and 6 others are believed to be useless following a company jet crash Thursday morning at Statesville Regional Airport.

An replace from the North Carolina State Freeway Patrol on Thursday afternoon all however confirmed the information.

“We will say at this level that seven confirmed occupants that have been on the plane are deceased,” mentioned Trooper Chris Knox throughout a press convention. “These names, we can’t definitively provide you with these names at this level due to the post-crash fireplace. The one particular person we’re capable of say is we consider Mr. Greg Biffle is a type of seven deceased occupants as a consequence of not solely the knowledge of these occupants that was recorded, but in addition visible from workers on the airport that he was a type of occupants that was on the airplane on the time. The opposite names, we may have an inventory as soon as we’ve these, however similar to with a crash with an vehicle we must await health worker affirmation.”

Biffle’s spouse, Cristina, and their son Ryder Jack, and Biffle’s daughter Emma have been additionally on board. The three others, members of the NASCAR group who’re believed useless are Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and his son, Jack Dutton.

The Cessna Quotation, which was registered to Biffle’s firm — GB Aviation Leasing — crashed at roughly 10:15 a.m. The pilot reported an engine situation shortly after takeoff and was trying to land again on the airport when the crash occurred.

The FAA is on website and investigating the incident.

Biffle earned the Myers Brothers Award as the results of his aid efforts to the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains following Hurricane Helene in 2024. Biffle flew lots of of missions in his helicopter, shuttling provides to these in want.

Biffle, 55, made 842 NASCAR nationwide sequence begins with the primary coming in 1996. The Washington native earned the 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence championship and the 2002 NASCAR Xfinity Sequence title. He additionally made his Cup Sequence debut in 2002.

Over 16 years, Biffle made 515 Cup Sequence begins. Nearly all of these begins got here with Roush Fenway Racing.

Biffle gained 19 NASCAR Cup Sequence races, together with the Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway twice.

He additionally picked up 20 victories within the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence and one other 17 within the Craftsman Truck Sequence.

Biffle made headlines and earned his spot on the NASCAR nationwide scene after his success through the Winter Warmth sequence through the mid-Nineties at Tucson (Ariz.) Speedway.

Biffle was inducted into the West Coast Inventory Automotive Corridor of Fame in 2022.

NASCAR launched an announcement early Thursday night:

“NASCAR is devastated by the tragic lack of Greg Biffle, his spouse Cristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton in a deadly airplane crash.

“Greg was greater than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR group, a fierce competitor, and a pal to so many. His ardour for racing, his integrity, and his dedication to followers and fellow rivals alike made a long-lasting affect on the game.

“On the observe, Greg’s expertise and tenacity earned him championships within the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Sequence, in addition to quite a few wins and accolades within the NASCAR Cup Sequence. Past his racing profession, he gave of himself for the betterment of our group. Most notably, Greg spent numerous hours of his time serving to the residents of North Carolina through the disasters that adopted Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives.

“Our ideas and deepest condolences exit to Greg’s total household, buddies, and all who have been touched by his life.”