NASCAR legend Greg Biffle died in a plane crash on Thursday, and Denny Hamlin is mourning the loss. On X/Twitter, Hamlin expressed how much Biffle meant to the NASCAR community.

“Today the motorsports world lost one of its fiercest competitors and kindest souls,” Denny Hamlin wrote. “Greg Biffle was a champion on the track and a humanitarian off it, whose impact reached far beyond racing. We also mourn the loss of his wife, Cristina and children Emma & Ryder, along with Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton, and his son Jack. My heart is with all their families and loved ones.”

Biffle owned the plane that crashed at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday morning. He was one of the seven people who died in the plane crash.

“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones,” the families of those involved said in a joint statement. “This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words. Greg and Cristina were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma (mother – Nicole Lunders). Emma was a wonderful human being with a kind soul who was loved by many people. Ryder was an active, curious and infinitely joyful child.

More on Greg Biffle and Denny Hamlin

“Dennis Dutton and his son Jack were deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them. Craig Wadsworth was beloved by many in the NASCAR community and will be missed by those who knew him. Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives.”

Hamlin and Biffle battled each other on the track multiple times, as Biffle competed in the NASCAR Cup Series full-time from 2003 to 2016. In his Cup Series career, Biffle won 19 races and finished in the top 10 175 times. His most notable wins were the 2005 and 2006 Southern 500. He was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.

Hamlin is coming off a successful 2025 season, winning six races and finishing second in the championship standings. Like Biffle, Hamlin is one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.