espn.com

people.com

people.com

“Disturbing… I feel angry.” Those raw words from NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, spoken through tears in a heartfelt interview, captured the raw grief sweeping the racing world after the tragic death of Greg Biffle. On December 18, 2025, a Cessna Citation 550 business jet owned by Biffle crashed shortly after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, claiming seven lives—including Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu, their 5-year-old son Ryder, his 14-year-old daughter Emma, and three close friends: Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth. What makes this tragedy even more haunting are the final three words reportedly sent in a desperate text from Cristina to her mother just moments before impact: “We’re in trouble.”

The NASCAR community, already scarred by decades of aviation losses, is reeling. Martin, a longtime friend and former Roush Racing teammate of Biffle, didn’t hold back his emotions. As an experienced Citation pilot himself—with over 3,000 hours in the same type of aircraft—Martin revealed that emerging details about the crash have left him profoundly unsettled. “The more I learn about Biffle’s crash, the more disturbing it is to me,” he posted on X, followed by photos of the two together on the grid. “Every day I get sicker and sicker about this tragedy.” In another post, he admitted, “I can’t help feeling angry,” echoing the frustration of many who know aviation’s risks all too well.

Greg Biffle wasn’t just a racer; he was a champion, a philanthropist, and a family man whose life touched countless others. Born in Vancouver, Washington, on December 23, 1969—he would have turned 56 just days after the crash—Biffle burst onto the NASCAR scene in the late 1990s. He became the first driver to win championships in both the Truck Series (2000) and Xfinity Series (2002), earning 56 victories across NASCAR’s national series, including 19 in the Cup Series. Known as “The Biff,” he spent most of his career with Roush Fenway Racing, battling legends like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart. His aggressive style and never-quit attitude made him a fan favorite, and in 2023, he was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

But Biffle’s legacy extended far beyond the track. In recent years, he became a hero for his humanitarian efforts. After Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina in September 2024, Biffle used his helicopter piloting skills to deliver critical supplies—food, fuel, medicine—to isolated communities. Flying dozens of missions from the very airport where tragedy struck, he saved lives and inspired others. “Greg was more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many,” NASCAR’s official statement read. “Most notably, Greg spent countless hours helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives.”

The flight on that fateful Thursday morning was meant to be joyful. Biffle, Cristina, Ryder, Emma, the Duttons, and Wadsworth were heading to Florida to visit YouTuber and racer Garrett Mitchell, known as Cleetus McFarland—a friend Biffle had bonded with during relief efforts. The plane took off around 10:05 a.m. in drizzle and cloudy conditions. Just minutes later, it turned back, attempting an emergency return. Witnesses described the jet “screaming” low over the trees before clipping runway lights, a fence, and crashing about a third of a mile short of the runway. It erupted into flames upon impact.

NTSB investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder and confirmed a brief passenger text: “emergency landing” or, as reported, “We’re in trouble.” No Mayday call was issued. Three licensed pilots were aboard—Biffle, Dennis Dutton (an airline transport pilot), and young Jack Dutton—but it’s unclear who was at the controls. The plane’s Pratt & Whitney engines are under scrutiny, though early reports point to a rapid-onset issue forcing the abrupt return.

foxnews.com

wbtv.com

Mark Martin’s anguish hits especially hard because of his personal history. In 1998, his father, stepmother, and half-sister died in a plane crash—a pain he’s carried for decades. Aviation has claimed too many in NASCAR: Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison in 1993, the 2004 Hendrick Motorsports tragedy that killed 10, including team owner Rick Hendrick’s son. Even survivors like Dale Earnhardt Jr. have endured scares. “Aviation is a very safe way to travel BUT has been savage to our racing community and families throughout history,” Martin wrote, his words resonating deeply.

Tributes poured in from across the sport. Jeff Gordon called it “devastating,” praising their on-track battles and Biffle’s relief work. Richard Petty mourned the loss of a “fearless competitor.” Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, and others shared memories. Governor Josh Stein highlighted Biffle’s “courage and compassion.” A joint family statement spoke of heartbreak: “Greg and Cristina were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma.”

motorsport.com

youtube.com

profootballnetwork.com

Cristina’s final text—“We’re in trouble”—those three words have stopped fans cold. They evoke the sheer terror of those final moments, a family together until the end. As the NTSB investigation continues (a full report may take 12-18 months), questions linger: mechanical failure, weather, pilot error? Martin’s “disturbing” assessment, from an expert’s view, fuels speculation without answers.

Yet amid the sorrow, Biffle’s light shines. He lived fully—racing fiercely, flying boldly, helping selflessly. Plans for a remembrance event in Charlotte underscore his impact. The racing world mourns not just a driver, but a husband, father, friend, and hero. In Martin’s words, we feel angry, disturbed, heartbroken. But we also remember: Greg Biffle made the world better, one lap, one flight, one act of kindness at a time. His story isn’t over—it’s etched in victory lanes, hurricane-ravaged mountains, and the hearts of all who knew him.