NASCAR driver Greg Biffle crashes in plane headed to Sarasota, YouTube star says
NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family died in a plane crash Thursday in a planned flight to Sarasota, according to multiple sources.
The crash happened Thursday morning at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. Officials say Biffle’s flight experienced issues after takeoff and was attempting to return when the passenger jet crashed and burst into flames.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed five adults and two children were killed, The Charlotte Observer reported.
A North Carolina congressman and a YouTube star who was a close friend and collaborator of Biffle’s have confirmed that the NASCAR driver and his family were on board.
YouTube star Cleetus McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, said in a social media post that Biffle and his family were en route to visit him in Florida when their plane went down. As of Thursday afternoon, Mitchell’s post confirming Biffle’s involvement in the crash has more than 66,000 reactions and 21,000 shares.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane… because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this,” Mitchell wrote in a post on his personal Facebook page.
Mitchell, who has over 4.5 million subscribers on YouTube, owns local racetrack the Freedom Factory in Manatee County. He has frequently collaborated with Biffle on racing events, charity efforts and YouTube content.
“This is the worst day ever,” Mitchell said in another post, where he shared recent video of himself and Biffle test-driving sand cars in Arizona.
NC congressman reacts to plan crash
“I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,” Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., said in a post on social media platform X. “They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans. But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track.”
Biffle’s plane crashes at North Carolina airport
Biffle’s plane, a seven-passenger Cessna Citation C550 jet, crashed around 10:15 a.m. Thursday at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, The Charlotte Observer reported.
According to Flight Aware, the plane was scheduled to fly to Sarasota, then Treasure Cay, then Fort Lauderdale before returning to Statesville.
Weather conditions were causing low visibility at the time of the crash, but a cause has not been determined.
Local and state authorities and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
Fans, officials react to Biffle crash news
While local authorities have not confirmed the identities of those involved in the crash, a flood of social media comments left condolences for the Biffle family.
“I was really, really praying this post wasn’t coming,” one commenter wrote.
All we can do right now is pray for the family and everyone affected, which is a multitude,” another said. “Still holding out some small hope on this one until it’s officially announced. I loved talking with Greg, and I loved seeing his tireless support of Western North Carolina and others in need. He was more than a racing legend. He was a hero to many, myself included. Lord, please grant him rest, and bring comfort to the many that need it now.”
Biffle’s career and legacy
Biffle, 55, started his NASCAR career in 1995.
He drove his first race in NASCAR’s top series, the Cup Series, in 2002, the Miami Herald reported. Since then, Biffle raced in the Cup Series over 500 times, with 19 wins and 175 top-10 finishes.
In 2023, he was recognized by NASCAR as one of the sport’s 75 Greatest Drivers of all time.
This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 2:15 PM.