Greg Biffle and his family were killed Thursday in a plane crash in North Carolina.
Biffle, 55, raced for 16 years in NASCAR’s Cup Series, including races at the Talladega Superspeedway.
Biffle, along with his wife, two children and three team members died in the crash.
The horrific accident brought back memories for Alabama followers of Biffle. In 2002, Biffle’s team owner, Jack Roush, survived a near-fatal plane crash near the Talladega racetrack. Roush was rescued from the upside-down plane in a lake by local resident and retired Marine Larry Hicks.
The Talladega fans got to know the Biffle family, who often accompanied Greg at his races.
Biffle was chosen as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023 during the racing organization’s 75th anniversary. He competed full-time on NASCAR’s Cup Series from 2003 through 2016, driving the No. 16 car.
Biffle also won the championship of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2000 and the NASCAR Busch Series in 2002. Biffle won 19 Cup races and finished as the runner-up to Tony Stewart for the Cup Series Championship in 2005.
In September 2014, Biffle paid a working visit to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery. He met with military personnel, participated in problem-solving training exercises called “Project X,” and acted as a “crew chief” for Airmen during leadership courses.
Biffle founded and funded an annual Christmas gifting in Alabama named “Biffmas.” He had awarded a winner in Alabama just this month.
Biffle and family were extensively involved in the rescue and recovery operations in Western North Carolina following the 2024 Hurricane Helene. He used his own aircraft and personnel to fly supplies and manpower into the devastated region. He and family went there themselves and worked for people they did not know.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it has launched a go team to investigate the fatal crash of Biffle’s Cessna Citation C550 jet. The team arrived at the crash site Thursday night. The plane had left Statesville Regional Airport around 10 a.m. Thursday and flew about two minutes before attempting to return to the airport when the crash occurred during landing.
Fans have planned to place a memoriam for Biffle and family at the International Motorsport Hall of Fame and Museum outside of the Talladega Speedway.
The legacy of the Biffle family lives on.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected]
