Tragedy struck the world of NASCAR as Greg Biffle, a revered figure in the sport, perished alongside his wife and son in a devastating plane crash in North Carolina. A close friend has confirmed the heartbreaking news, casting a shadow of sorrow over the racing community.

The grim incident unfolded on Thursday when a Cessna C550, a private jet owned by the 55-year-old Biffle, met a fiery end upon crash landing at Statesville Regional Airport. The crash occurred around 10:15 a.m., and aviation records indicate the aircraft was en route to Sarasota, Florida.

Eyewitnesses and emergency responders were met with a horrifying sight as the jet erupted into flames, marking a tragic scene approximately 45 minutes from Charlotte. Despite the swift arrival of emergency crews, the severity of the situation was already apparent.

Later that afternoon, Garrett Mitchell, a friend and frequent collaborator with Biffle on YouTube, shared the devastating confirmation. “Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and son Ryder were on that plane… because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,” Mitchell expressed in a heartfelt post on Facebook.

‘Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and son Ryder were on that plane… because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,’ Mitchell, who often appears in YouTube videos with Biffle, wrote on Facebook. 

‘We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this,’ he stated, adding that he is not sure if Biffle’s daughter, Emma, was also on board. 

There were six people on the private plane when it fell from the sky.  

The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) told the Daily Mail that the Cessna C550 crashed while attempting to land. 

NASCAR icon Greg Biffle tragically died in a fiery plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina Thursday morning, according to his friend 

Garrett Mitchell, who often appears in YouTube videos with Biffle, wrote on Facebook to say his friend was on board the plane

Biffle is seen with his wife, Cristina and their five-year-old son, Ryder

The plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport before a massive fire erupted on the runway

It comes after Biffle posted a picture of him piloting the very same plane in September. 

According to FAA records, the aircraft belongs to the semi-retired NASCAR driver who was seen in a smiling snap with President Donald Trump in February at the NASCAR Cup series in Daytona Beach, Florida. 

He married his ex-wife, Nicole Lunders, in October 2007. They share a teenage daughter, Emma Elizabeth, together. The pair got divorced in 2016. 

Biffle went on to marry his current wife, Cristina Grossu, in January 2023 after getting engaged in 2021. They share five-year-old Ryder. 

Nearly 24 hours before the fatal crash, Cristina posted a picture in the car on her Instagram story with the caption: ‘Busy day today.’ 

She then shared a picture of Martha Stewart with an inspirational statement on it. 

Grossu was a realtor, CEO of My Replica Ring, and a travel agent for CG Luxe Travel, according to her Instagram account. 

The couple often posted pictures together online at family and racing events. 

Garrett Mitchell (left) is seen with Biffle (bottom right) and other friends 

Biffle is seen taking a selfie with President Donald Trump in February in Daytona Beach, Florida

Biffle made headlines last year for flying the plane around The Tar Heel State, rescuing stranded citizens, and running emergency relief during Hurricane Helene. 

The professional race car driver, also known as ‘the Biff’, was born in Vancouver, Washington, and started his racing career in the Pacific Northwest. 

The tragedy comes 10 years after Biffle was involved in a minor plane crash on the runway at Kentucky’s Lexington Airport. 

He and two pilots were left unharmed after a landing-gear malfunction caused his plane to collapse while landing at the airport, NASCAR said at the time. 

Biffle went on to call the pilots ‘heroes’ for stopping the wing from leaving the runway and heading into the grass. 

‘My pilots did a remarkable job,’ he said. 

The avid flyer is seen inside the same plane that crashed Thursday 

Nascar also has a devastatingly long list of big names who have died in plane crashes.

Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison, Richie Panch, Curtis Turner, Jack Roush, and more have sadly lost their lives in previous incidents. 

In 2004, 10 NASCAR staffers from the same team were all killed in a plane crash into the mountains in Stuart, Virginia. 

The Hendrick Motorsports team members and two pilots tragically died in the incident. 

Multiple members of the Hendrick family, including Hendrick Motorsports President John Hendrick, his twin daughters, and Ricky Hendrick, former Busch Series driver, died.