Kasey Kahne, a former competitor of NASCAR’s Greg Biffle, has opened up about the tragic loss of the racing icon.

“The impact of losing Greg has been profound,” Kahne shared on social media platform X on Thursday, December 25. “From the heartfelt tributes I’ve seen to the words of our waiter at dinner tonight, everyone who knew him carries lasting memories. Greg was consistently a wonderful person who showed respect and kindness to all. His generosity and zest for life were truly remarkable.”

He went on to say, “On the track, his ability to control the car made him one of the best, and I always appreciated the competition. As a friend, we shared many meaningful conversations and enjoyable times. Rest easy, Greg. My heart feels heavy for the families mourning their loved ones this holiday season due to such an unimaginable loss.”

Kahne, now 45, raced alongside Biffle in the NASCAR Cup Series, with their careers overlapping from the late 2000s into the early 2010s.

Greg Biffle was a towering figure in NASCAR since the 1990s. Tragedy struck on Thursday, December 18, when news emerged that Biffle’s plane had crashed and erupted into flames shortly after departing from the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. “At approximately 10:15 am, an aircraft crashed while landing,” confirmed officials from the airport. […]

Their heated rivalry reached a pinnacle in the 2005 Busch United Way 300 at Kansas Speedway, when Kahne beat Biffle by just three-hundredths of a second.

Biffle died in a tragic plane crash on Thursday, December 18, after his Cessna C550 plane crashed soon after takeoff in Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.

Six others were killed in the accident, including Biffle’s wife, Cristina Grossu, and their two kids: 14-year old daughter Emma and 5-year-old son Ryder. Also on the plane were Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and NASCAR motorhome driver Craig Wadsworth.

The business jet was supposed to fly to Sarasota, Florida, before taking off on a second leg to the Bahamas. The aircraft was then scheduled to fly to Fort Lauderdale before returning to North Carolina.

It is not clear who was piloting the plane at the time of the crash.

“At approximately 10:15 am, an aircraft crashed while landing,” airport officials told The Charlotte Observer in a statement at the time of the accident. “Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is en route and will investigate the incident.”

Biffle was a highly-decorated NASCAR driver with more than 50 wins throughout his career. He was named one of the 75 best NASCAR drivers in history in 2023.

NASCAR released a statement after the accident on the day of the crash, honoring Biffle and the other victims of the crash.

The extended family of Greg Biffle issued a statement after the NASCAR legend, his wife, Cristina, and his two kids, Emma and Ryder, were killed in a plane crash on Thursday, December 18. “We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones,” the statement read.  The statement was issued by the Biffle family, in […]

“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 statement read, in part. “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 December 20, the National Transportation Safety Board released new photos and videos from the scene of the crash, confirming that they retrieved the cockpit voice recorder from the wreckage.

The investigation is still ongoing.

“Our representative with the National Transportation Safety Board disaster assistance division is continuing to work with the family members and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this accident,” said NTSB board member Michael Graham in a press conference on December 20. “And I want to thank the family members who have been assisting our team during this terrible time.”