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Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle, shown in 2022, died in a plane crash on Thursday. Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

'Heartbroken beyond words': Remembering Greg Biffle, NASCAR's underappreciated star

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Dec 19, 2025 8:04 AM ET

Former NASCAR star Greg Biffle, who died in a plane crash Thursday in Statesville, North Carolina, was not a flashy driver or individual. For all his accomplishments, he was a lunch-pail driver who paid his dues, got his shot and never looked back.

In addition to Biffle, the crash claimed the lives of his wife, Cristina, their son Ryder and his daughter Emma, as well as Dennis Dutton and his son Jack and Craig Wadsworth.

The first reports of the crash came about 10:15 a.m. Thursday. The death of the 55-year-old former NASCAR driver was confirmed by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

"NASCAR is devastated," the organization said about the tragedy.

Biffle was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023, but he may have been underrated as a driver. He ranks among the top 50 drivers in Cup Series history with 19 victories. Biffle also won championships in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity Series).

Owner Jack Roush gave Greg Biffle an opportunity

Legendary team owner Jack Roush gave the then-28-year-old Biffle the nod in 1998 to drive for his Truck Series team. In three years, Biffle won 14 Truck Series races and captured the 2000 championship.

Biffle moved up to the NASCAR Busch Series in 2001, winning the 2002 championship, before Roush promoted him to Cup Series competition in 2003. Over a Cup Series career spanning 14 seasons, Biffle won 19 races, including a six-win campaign in 2005 that saw him finish runner-up to Tony Stewart for the championship. Had he won, Biffle would have become the only driver to win championships in all three of NASCAR’s top divisions.

Biffle's final Cup Series start came in 2022, with his last victory in one of NASCAR’s top three series occurring in a Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway in 2019. His last Cup Series win came at Michigan International Speedway in 2013, and he made the NASCAR playoffs for the final time in 2014.

Biffle retired from full-time Cup Series racing after the 2016 season.

As accomplished as Biffle was behind the wheel, his generosity and character left an even greater mark. When Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina in 2024, Biffle used his helicopter to aid those in need, earning the National Motorsports Press Association's Myers Brothers Award for his efforts.

Greg Biffle was a "racer's racer"

NASCAR figures expressed deep sorrow.

"Heartbroken beyond words today," said NASCAR host John Roberts of the news of his friend's death. "The world lost so much more than just a racecar driver today. Let’s help each other like Greg helped everyone."

Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez said, “It’s crazy how vulnerable we are in life. Today we are here, tomorrow who knows. Rest in peace, amigo.” Longtime team owner Chip Ganassi called him “a Racers Racer, and a Gentleman.”

Biffle’s impact extended far beyond the track; he strove to make the world a better place, and his legacy will be remembered both in racing and in the lives he touched.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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