Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Respected former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle died in a tragic plane crash on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Statesville Regional Airport, North Carolina.
This heartbreaking incident also claimed the lives of his wife, Cristina Grossu, their 14-year-old daughter, Emma, and their 5-year-old son, Ryder.
A total of seven people died in the crash, including the pilot and another passenger.
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The accident happened when a Cessna Citation 550 private jet registered to Biffle crashed while attempting to land at the airport after takeoff.
The family was mourned by Hudson, who wrote via X, “I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them.”
“They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others,” he added, describing Biffle as a “great NASCAR champion” and “extraordinary person,” who “will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track.”
The NASCAR family is devastated at the loss of Greg Biffle, who was one of our 75 greatest drivers and became known for his relentless post-career humanitarian work.We extend our deepest condolences. pic.twitter.com/Q7nh6ug1iW
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) December 18, 2025
The Tragic Moments of Greg Biffle's Plane Crash
A Cessna Citation 550 business jet, owned by a company run by Biffle, crashed at approximately 10:20 a.m. local time while attempting to return to land at Statesville Regional Airport.
The aircraft had taken off from Statesville Regional Airport, approximately 72 kilometers north of Charlotte, but immediately crashed.
Weather conditions at the time were reportedly foggy and cloudy, with heavy drizzle and poor visibility, which may have contributed to the crash.
The aircraft exploded and caught fire upon impact, causing extensive damage.
In addition to Greg Biffle and his family, the other victims killed in the incident were pilot Dennis Dutton, his son Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth, all of whom were involved in the NASCAR community.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.
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Getting to Know Greg Biffle and His Family
Gregory Jack Biffle, affectionately known as "The Biff," was born on December 23, 1969, in Vancouver, Washington, USA.
Biffle married Cristina Grossu in January 2023 and had two children: Emma Elizabeth (born July 6, 2011) from a previous marriage, and Ryder Jack (born September 9, 2020) with Cristina Grossu.
Greg Biffle's racing career began on short tracks around the Pacific Northwest.
His talent garnered national attention while competing in the NASCAR Winter Heat Series in the winter of 1995–1996.
At the recommendation of former driver and ESPN broadcaster Benny Parsons, Biffle was recruited by legendary team owner Jack Roush.
Greg Biffle's Brilliant NASCAR Track
Greg Biffle is a semi-retired American professional stock car racing driver with a truly impressive career.
He earned Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 1998 and the NASCAR Busch Series in 2001.
His achievements further shone through, winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship in 2000 and the NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity Series) Championship in 2002.
Biffle is one of only three drivers to have won championships in both the Busch Series and the Craftsman Truck Series.
In the NASCAR Cup Series, Biffle drove for Roush from 2003 to 2016, making a total of 515 starts in his 16-year career.
He achieved 19 Cup Series wins and achieved his best finish with a second-place finish in the championship standings in 2005.
In 2023, Biffle was selected as one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers.
Overall, he recorded more than 50 wins across all three NASCAR national circuits, including 19 Cup Series wins, 20 Xfinity Series wins, and 16 Truck Series wins.
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