On Dec. 18, the racing world lost a legend when Greg Biffle died with six others in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport, located in North Carolina.
The 55-year-old retired NASCAR driver and his family took off in the Cessna Citation II under “adverse” conditions, which included heavy drizzle and visibility under 2 miles.
After taking off, the pilot turned the plane around to attempt a landing, but it crashed near the runway. Reports indicate the plane experienced engine trouble during the return. It is not known who was piloting the craft.
Among those on the plane with Biffle were his son Ryder, his daughter Emma, and his wife Cristina. The FAA is currently investigating the crash.
In light of the tragedy, a public memorial for Biffle and his family has been scheduled for next month. The details are below.
Will the Public Memorial for Greg Biffle Be Live Streamed?
A public celebration for Biffle and his family, as well as his friends Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and Jack Dutton, will take place on Jan. 16 at the BoJangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The venue is the home of the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers.
NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass announced the event on social media yesterday, Dec. 30. He also shared that it will be open to the public and streamed live online. No further details have been shared at this time.
Biffle Left Behind a Legacy of Service
Biffle won 19 races during his NASCAR Cup Series career and 56 races overall. He retired from racing full-time in 2016, though he made some starts in 2022. More recently, Biffle was an honorary starter for the 2024 Bank of America 400 at the Charlotte Roval.
At the time of the crash, Biffle was heading to Cleetus McFarland’s Christmas Tree Drags race in Bradenton, Florida. McFarland was not only friends with Biffle, but the two also worked together to rescue people trapped by Hurricane Helene in 2024. He also brought in some much-needed supplies for those affected by the disaster.
We also reported that Biffle’s wife, Cristina, texted her mother at the time of the plane’s takeoff to let her know something was happening.
“She texted me from the plane, and she said, ‘We’re in trouble.’ And that was it,” Cristina’s mother said. “So we’re devastated. We’re brokenhearted.”