Greg Biffle, NASCAR Legend, Dies, Aged 55

By Luke Womack

NASCAR legend and former driver Greg Biffle died at age 55. He died in a plane crash on Dec. 18, 2025, just after takeoff en route to Florida. He was killed instantly upon impact along with his wife and two children.

The Cessna C550, built in 1981, was a twin-engine private plane that at the time was carrying seven passengers. All seven on board were killed in the crash. Reports state that the plane had just taken off from Statesville Regional Airport when a large bang was heard on the ground. The plane attempted to circle back to the airport and make an emergency landing; however, witnesses say that the plane was flying too low and too slow to make the runway.

Because the plane was destined for Florida and had just taken off, the crash ignited a large amount of fuel, which created a large fire and an even larger explosion.

Biffle was a former NASCAR Cup Series winner and Xfinity (O’Reilly’s Auto Parts) Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, who the entire NASCAR community will mourn. His death marks the end of a tumultuous year for NASCAR. Early in 2025, NASCAR Hall of Fame member Humpy Wheeler, a former manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway and one of the sport's visionaries, died at the age of 86. Later on, NASCAR experienced multiple image-damaging controversies and even an antitrust lawsuit trial.

This plane crash wasn’t Biffle’s first, as he had already survived a crash in Blue Grass Airport in Kentucky back in 2011. Close friend and internet personality Garrett Mitchell, known as Cleetus McFarland, was the first source to confirm the deaths of the Biffle family. 

On a post on Facebook, Mitchell said, “Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and son Ryder were on that plane.” 

He went on to share his feelings towards the loss of a close friend, “We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”

The two became close friends after their joint aid efforts during the Hurricane Helene crisis. Both took their private helicopters and used them as rescue vehicles in the mountains of North Carolina during the flooding and entrapment of thousands of people. 

Biffle, killed alongside his family, unfortunately, now only leaves behind a legacy. However, his legacy and memories throughout the NASCAR garages will be remembered forever.