Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, family among 7 dead in plane crash

By Dominic Aragon and Jonathan Fjeld

STATESVILLE, N.C. — Former NASCAR competitor Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, two children, Craig Wadsworth, and Dennis and Jack Dutton were killed in a plane crash Thursday morning (Dec. 18) in Statesville, N.C., an official with the N.C. State Highway Patrol confirmed.

The National Transportation and Safety Board is investigating the deadly crash at the airport. The airport confirmed there was a crash at around 11 a.m. ET.

The tail number, N257BW, belonged to GB Aviation Leasing, LLC – managed by Biffle, according to records.

FlightAware data showed the plane took off from the airport at around 10 a.m. ET and then was reported to be on the ground near the airport, 32 minutes later.

“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,” the sanctioning body said in part in a statement Thursday.

“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. His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.

“On the track, Greg’s talent and tenacity earned him championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, as well as numerous wins and accolades in the NASCAR Cup Series. Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the betterment of our community. Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Greg’s entire family, friends, and all who were touched by his life.”

Additionally, Jack Roush, Biffle’s former car owner across his decorated NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series career, issued the following statement:

Statement from Jack Roush on today’s tragedy. pic.twitter.com/DpuCgGr70N

— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) December 18, 2025

Pictures circulated on social media, showing the fiery crash. Officials briefed the media at around 12:30 p.m. ET, confirming the jet crashed at the end of the east runway. They confirmed the airport was closed to allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate the incident.

Officials did not have a cause of the crash. They also could not identify anyone who was onboard the plane – and did not take any questions.

Garrett Mitchell, the social media content creator-turned-racer known as Cleetus McFarland, who has been mentored by Biffle, posted the following on social media:

“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.“

Further details are limited. We will provide updates when they become available.

Background on “The Biff”: Greg Biffle

Biffle stepped away from full-time NASCAR Cup Series racing in 2016 after 14 seasons in Roush-Fenway Racing’s No. 16 Ford. He earned 19 wins, 92 top-five finishes, 175 top-10s and 13 poles in 510 career Cup Series starts – with a best points finish of second in 2005 when he led 1,322 laps and won six times.

Biffle shot to stardom in July of 2003 when 20 million viewers saw him earn his first Cup win in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. His “wild-style” No. 16 embodied a new era of NASCAR, dominated by high banked turns and high speeds:

• Four wins at Michigan
• Three wins at Homestead-Miami
• Two wins at Texas, Kansas, Darlington, Dover each
• One win at California, Pocono, New Hampshire, Daytona each

Biffle is the closest anyone has ever come to winning a championship in NASCAR’s top three national series – as the 2002 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion and the 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion. He earned 20 NOAPS wins and 17 NCTS wins, totaling 56 wins in his NASCAR career.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame nominated Biffle for possible induction in 2024. He told TRE he was “overwhelmed, excited” about the nomination, adding he wouldn’t rule out running another Daytona 500.

After stepping away from full-time racing, Biffle has come back to race five times in the NASCAR Cup Series, twice in the NCTS, and three times in the ARCA Menards Series West. In his first race back, a June 7, 2019 NCTS race at Texas Motor Speedway for Kyle Busch Motorsports, he led 18 of 167 laps and won.

The win was a big deal but has been a footnote in the life Biffle has lived after retiring from full-time NASCAR racing. In the wake of Hurricane Helene in 2024, he offered his helicopter to help with relief efforts and went on to help with relief efforts in Jamaica.

Biffle spoke to WFMY News 2 about his work in a sit-down interview: