😱 HEARTBREAKING TRAGEDY: NASCAR legend Greg “The Biff” Biffle – the fearless champion who saved countless lives flying supplies after Hurricane Helene – just died in a fiery plane crash… along with his beautiful wife Cristina, young son Ryder, daughter Emma, and three close friends!

The jet took off from North Carolina, turned back suddenly, and slammed into the runway in flames – killing all seven on board instantly. Now, whispers of adverse weather and a desperate return landing are emerging… was this devastating loss something that could have been prevented?

The NASCAR world is in absolute shock – tap to see the gut-wrenching details and tributes pouring in… you won’t hold back the tears! 💔✈️

Retired NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his wife, two children, and three others were killed Thursday when a business jet crashed and erupted in flames shortly after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport, authorities confirmed.

The victims were identified as Biffle, 55; his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle; their 5-year-old son Ryder; Biffle’s 14-year-old daughter Emma from a previous marriage; Dennis Dutton and his son Jack; and Craig Wadsworth. All seven perished in the accident, marking one of the most devastating losses in recent NASCAR history.

The Cessna Citation C550, registered to GB Aviation Leasing LLC — a company managed by Biffle — departed the airport around 10:06 a.m. en route to Sarasota, Florida, with plans to continue to the Bahamas. Flight tracking data shows the plane climbed briefly before turning back toward the airport, crashing on the east end of the runway about 26 minutes later.

Witnesses reported seeing the jet impact the ground, skid, and burst into a massive fireball. First responders arrived to find the wreckage engulfed in flames, with debris scattered across the site. North Carolina State Highway Patrol Sgt. Chris Knox described it as one of the worst scenes he had encountered, noting the intense post-crash fire complicated immediate identification.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation, with an NTSB “go-team” arriving Thursday evening. Member Michael Graham is expected to provide updates. Preliminary reports indicate the plane was attempting an emergency return to land, though no distress calls have been publicly detailed.

Weather conditions at the time included drizzle, low clouds, and reduced visibility, according to AccuWeather reports. Aviation experts note that the 1981-model Cessna C550 has a strong safety record overall, but factors like weather can play a role in such incidents. Investigators will examine flight data recorders, cockpit voice recordings if available, maintenance logs, and pilot communications.

Biffle, a licensed pilot rated for multi-engine aircraft and helicopters, had posted excitedly about resuming flights in recent months. It remains unclear if he or another individual was at the controls.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the motorsports community. NASCAR issued a statement: “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.”

Biffle, nicknamed “The Biff,” enjoyed a storied career primarily with Roush Fenway Racing (now RFK Racing). He won the 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship and the 2002 Busch Series (now Xfinity) title, becoming the first driver to claim both. In the Cup Series, he amassed 19 victories, including prestigious wins at Daytona and Darlington, across 515 starts from 2002 to 2016.

Named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023, Biffle was a Hall of Fame nominee and had competed part-time in recent years, including ARCA events in 2025. Former teammates and rivals flooded social media with tributes. Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon wrote: “Devastating news about Greg Biffle and his family. I had such tremendous respect for Greg as a driver… Like so many others, I was inspired by his tireless relief work during Hurricane Helene.”

That humanitarian effort defined Biffle’s post-racing legacy. Following Hurricane Helene’s devastation in September 2024, he piloted his helicopter on hundreds of missions, delivering supplies to isolated communities in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. He received the 2024 NMPA Myers Brothers Award for his contributions.

YouTube personality Garrett Mitchell, known as Cleetus McFarland — a close friend who collaborated with Biffle on relief efforts and racing content — confirmed the family was en route to visit him in Florida. “We are devastated,” he posted.

A joint statement from the Biffle, Grossu, Dutton, and Lunders families read: “We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words. Greg and Cristina were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma… Ryder was an active, curious and infinitely joyful child. Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void.”

Wadsworth, a longtime friend, assisted Biffle with tasks including Helene relief deliveries. Roommate Benito Howell described him as someone who “didn’t know how to say no” and “loved everybody.”

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein echoed praise for Biffle’s compassion: “Beyond his success as a NASCAR driver, Greg Biffle lived a life of courage and compassion and stepped up for western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. My heart goes out to all those who lost a loved one in this tragic crash.”

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chairman of the Congressional Motorsports Caucus, called the Biffles “friends who lived their lives focused on helping others.”

The airport, popular among NASCAR teams and executives due to its proximity to Charlotte’s racing hub, remains closed. This marks the latest in a string of aviation incidents in 2025, with NTSB data showing over 1,300 crashes investigated nationwide this year, more than 250 fatal.

As the investigation unfolds — potentially taking months — the NASCAR family and beyond mourn a man remembered not just for checkered flags, but for selflessly aiding those in need.

Memorial details have not been announced, with families requesting privacy during this unimaginable grief.