“A champion on the track and a humanitarian off it”: Denny Hamlin reacts to the tragic death of NASCAR veteran Greg Biffle and his family

NASCAR legend Greg Biffle and his family died in a business jet crash on December 18 in Statesville, North Carolina. Among the deceased were his 14-year-old daughter, Emma and 7-year-old son, Ryder.

Biffle and his team continued flying for days to help civilians stuck in remote areas and ran several supply missions after Hurricane Helene ravaged northeast Tennessee, western North Carolina, and southwest Virginia.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin was deeply saddened by the news. He went on X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote,

“Today the motorsports world lost one of its fiercest competitors and kindest souls. 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.”

Greg Biffle last competed in the ARCA Menards Series West with Sigma Performance Services. He is a former NASCAR Busch Series (now O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) and Truck Series champion. A native of Vancouver, Washington, Biffle was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.

U.S. Congressman Richard Lane Hudson said in a statement,

“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." "The Biffles flew hundreds of rescue missions in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. The last time I spoke with Cristina (Biffle's wife), just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles were," he added.

Biffle was 55 when he died. The crash also took the lives of three others named Dennis Dutton, Jack Dutton and Craig Wadsworth. Authorities are investigating why the plane returned to the airport despite clouds and drizzle.

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Jeff Gordon sends a heartfelt message to Greg Biffle’s mourning family

NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon was among those who were devastated by Greg Biffle’s untimely demise. They were contemporaries who competed in the NASCAR Cup Series back in the day.

Gordon, currently the Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, took to X and wrote,

“Devastating news. I had such tremendous respect for Greg as a driver, and we shared countless tough battles on the track. Like so many others, I was inspired by his tireless relief work during Hurricane Helene. My heart goes out to the Biffle family and everyone hurting.”

Biffle won 19 races throughout his 15-year-long NASCAR career. He made a total of 515 starts, most of which were with Roush Fenway Racing, now known as Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.

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Edited by Tushhita Barua