Just days before tragedy struck, NASCAR legend Greg Biffle was talking about the future.
In what has now become a heartbreaking final post, Biffle shared a video on Instagram on Sunday showing him calling a fan to surprise them with a Corvette and $1,200—another moment from his beloved annual holiday giveaway, “Biffmas.”
“Thanks so much for sharing the videos this Biffmas—can’t wait for next year,” Biffle wrote.
He never got that chance.
On Thursday, Biffle, 55, was killed in a horrific plane crash in North Carolina, along with his wife Cristina Grossu, their daughter Emma, and son Ryder, according to multiple reports. The family was traveling together aboard a private jet when it went down shortly after takeoff.
A Flight That Never Made It Out
The aircraft, a Cessna C550, departed Statesville Regional Airport, roughly an hour outside Charlotte, at 10:06 a.m., according to FlightAware data. Moments later, the jet looped back toward the airport before crashing.
The plane had been headed to Sarasota, Florida, and was later scheduled to continue on to the Bahamas that afternoon.
Public records show the aircraft was registered through GB Aviation Leasing at Biffle’s address.
Statesville City Manager Ron Smith confirmed that a plane crashed at the airport Thursday but declined to provide additional details. The airport serves corporate aviation clients, including Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams, according to its website.
Also killed in the crash were Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton, and Jack Dutton.
‘We Are Devastated’
The deaths were confirmed by family friend and motorsports personality Cleetus McFarland, who shared the news in a somber Facebook post.
“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,” McFarland wrote. “We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
A Champion, On and Off the Track
Nicknamed “The Biff,” Greg Biffle was one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, earning championships in two national series and spending more than a decade as a Cup Series contender.
He burst onto the NASCAR scene in the 1995 Winter Heat Series, quickly catching the attention of Hall of Famer Benny Parsons, who urged team owner Jack Roush to sign him—a pivotal moment that launched Biffle’s rise.
Biffle went on to be named Truck Series Rookie of the Year in 1998, winning the Truck Series championship in 2000. He later captured Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2001 and the series championship in 2002, becoming the first driver in NASCAR history to win titles in both divisions.
From 2002 to 2016, Biffle competed in the Cup Series, recording 19 wins in 515 starts. In 2023, his legacy was cemented when he was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.
A Passion for Flying—and Helping Others
Beyond racing, Biffle was an accomplished pilot. His personal fleet, known as “Air Biffle,” included a Dassault Falcon 50, a Cessna 210, and a Bell 206 helicopter based at Statesville.
He often used those skills to help others. After Hurricane Helene, Biffle joined helicopter missions delivering aid to hard-hit areas of western North Carolina, quietly assisting disaster relief efforts far from the spotlight.
A Final Message That Now Hurts to Read
In his last Instagram video, Biffle smiled as he surprised a fan, speaking about generosity, gratitude, and the next holiday season.
“Can’t wait for next year,” he wrote.
Now, those words carry a devastating weight.
Greg Biffle leaves behind a legacy of championships, generosity, and a life lived at full speed—cut tragically short alongside the family he loved most.
