The racing community and its many fans paid tribute to NASCAR icon Greg Biffle on Thursday after he and his family were killed in a plane crash in North Carolina.
Biffle, his wife Cristina, and his two children, 5-year-old Ryder and 14-year-old Emma, were among seven people who perished when a small plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, less than an hour north of Charlotte. The incident is under investigation.
Biffle, who began his NASCAR career in the mid-’90s, is one of just three drivers to win championships in two of NASCAR’s major national series. He was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.
He was also known for his humanitarian work. In 2024, he used his private helicopter to rescue people after Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina then helped many of those impacted by the storm. More recently, Biffle hosted daily holiday giveaways on social media where he presented fans with money and prizes, like a Corvette, an electric bike and an electric scooter.
In posts to social media, NASCAR described Biffle as a “winner on and off the race track,” and reflected on the countless hours he spent “helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives.”
