NASCAR icon Greg Biffle, who earned over $30 million as a champion racer and later became a hero rescue pilot in semi-retirement, died in a tragic plane crash on Thursday in North Carolina.
His family was also on board the small private jet when it crashed shortly after takeoff en route to Sarasota, Florida, after reportedly suffering engine trouble.
Biffle’s Cessna C550 crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, about 40 miles north of Charlotte, killing all five passengers and the pilot.
Family friend Cleetus McFarland confirmed the family’s deaths in a Facebook, writing: “Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane…because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us.”
“We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this,” he said.
Biffle had millions of fans for his champion runs on the track and his selfless acts as a private pilot, saving hundreds of lives with rescue flights after natural disasters.
RISE TO RACING FAME
Biffle, born in Vancouver, Washington, was among the top Nascar racers of his generation and got his racing career started on short tracks in the Pacific Northwest.
He began to gain notoriety as a driver when he raced in the Winter Heat Series in 1995 and 1996.
His performance caught the eye of Nascar champion, Benny Parsons, who recommended Biffle to Jack Roush.
Eventually, Biffle was promoted to a full-time driver for Roush Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series in 1998.
Biffle raced hundreds of times across Nascar’s three top series in his career.
He made 83 starts in the Craftsman Truck Series, 244 starts in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and 515 starts in the Cup Series.
Biffle won 19 times in the Cup series between 2002 and 2016.
In 2023, he was named one of Nascar’s top 75 drivers of all time.
His racing career was prolific, and earned him massive wages and sponsorships.
In 2025 it was estimated that his net worth was $30 million, according to Reality Tea.
After his racing career, Biffle kept up his hobbies of deep-sea fishing and flying.
He owned multiple aircraft including a Cessna 210, a Dassault Falcon 50, a Dassault Falcon 10, and a Bell 206.
On top of that, Biffle also owned a private helicopter.
BIFFLE’S HUMANITARIAN FLIGHTS
Biffle used his helicopter prominently in 2024 to provide relief after Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina.
Biffle carried supplies into areas of need with his helicopter, and even spotted victims that were trapped from the sky.
He spent 13 days running six to eight missions a day dropping off supplies and pulling survivors out of danger.
Alongside his helicopter, Biffle also used his plane and boats to help those in and around the devastated areas.
“6 months ago we left Statesville airport to head towards the mountains our state and others were horribly affected by hurricane Helene,” he said in a post.
“I drove through blowing rock yesterday and it was crazy to see so much debris still around the water after 6 months glad to see businesses starting to come back!”
Biffle said he got the same feeling from helping those in need as he did from winning Nascar races.
“I’ll tell you, the feeling you get when you win a race, you can only ask drivers, right?” Biffle told Nascar’s Zack Albert.
“Because the feeling you get when you win that race, that’s the feeling you get when you’re able to help people in need.”
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/15663468/greg-biffle-nascar-plane-crash-death/
