Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife and their children, were among a group of people killed in a plane crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday, according to Rep. Richard Hudson.
WSOC originally reported Thursday morning that a Cessna C550 business jet owned by Biffle crashed at the end of the runway at Statesville Regional Airport, with six people killed in the accident.
The crash reportedly occurred around 10:20 a.m. ET, and a witness stated that the plane was “way too low” before there was “a huge explosion," per WSOC.
Here is what's known about the plane crash that reportedly killed Greg Biffle and his family.
Greg Biffle plane crash updates
WSOC first reported Thursday morning that a Cessna C550 business jet owned by Greg Biffle had crashed at the end of the runway at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, and that local authorities said the crash had killed six people.
A joint statement was released from the combined Biffle, Grossu, Dutton and Lunders families regarding the plane crash.
Joint Statement from the Biffle, Grossu, Dutton & Lunders Families regarding the plane crash today.
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) December 18, 2025
Rest in peace. Pic.twitter.com/jm10YNKlVD
The plane was owned by Biffle through GB Aviation Leasing, per WSOC, and the plane had taken off from the airport around 10 a.m. ET, but then returned and was attempting to land at the airport again. It was reportedly supposed to fly from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas, before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then to Statesville by evening, according to WSOC.
A witness told WSOC that the jet was “way too low” before there was “a huge explosion.” The crash happened around 10:15 a.m. ET, and the airport where it occurred was used often by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies, per WSOC.
With the investigation into the crash ongoing, authorities have not officially confirmed the names of those onboard or details about potential causes for the crash. However, Rep. Richard Hudson released a statement on Thursday afternoon that confirmed Greg Biffle, his wife, Cristina, and their two children were killed in the crash.
"I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them. They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others," Hudson's statement said. "Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans. But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track."
Biffle's racing career included a NASCAR Hall of Fame nomination and a spot on NASCAR’s list of its 75 greatest drivers. He won the Rookie of the Year in 1998 and the 2000 series championship in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, plus the 2001 Rookie of the Year award and the 2002 championship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He became the first driver to win titles in both circuits. Biffle had 19 victories in 515 Cup Series starts from 2002-16.
How old was Greg Biffle?
Greg Biffle was 55 years old at the time of his death in December 2025.
Greg Biffle kids
Greg Biffle had a daughter with his first wife, Nicole Lunders, named Emma, who was born in 2011. He also had a son with Cristina Grossu, Ryder, who the couple welcomed in 2020.
Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5, were reportedly killed in the December 2025 plane crash that also killed Greg Biffle and Cristina Grossu.
Greg Biffle wife
Greg Biffle's wife was Cristina Grossu. The two were married in January 2023.
Was Greg Biffle retired?
Greg Biffle retired from full-time racing in 2016, but still remained involved in motorsports part-time for years leading up to his death. He was considered "semi-retired." Biffle briefly returned to the Cup Series in 2022 to participate in the Daytona 500 and a few other races for NY Racing Team.