Marco Andretti remembers "trip of a lifetime" with Greg Biffle after the NASCAR icon's fatal plane crash

After Greg Biffle's tragic death earlier this week, former IndyCar star Marco Andretti recalled a trip he took with the NASCAR icon. Biffle died on Thursday, December 18, in a Cessna 550 business jet crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, an accident that involved six other fatalities.

The plane took off for Florida but attempted to return to the airport shortly after takeoff because of severe weather and mechanical issues. Preliminary assessment from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the plane flew too low upon return before crashing into multiple trees, two runway lights, and airport fences.

Greg Biffle's wife, Nicole, their two children, Emma and Ryder, commercial pilot Dennis Sutton, his son Jack Sutton, and NASCAR motorhome driver Craig Wadsworth were the seven people killed in the tragic crash. Marco Andretti had reacted to the news on social media on Thursday, writing in an X post:

"Oh no. 🙏🏻 Biffle."

On Saturday, the former IndyCar driver, who also raced part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Truck Series a couple of years after retiring from full-time IndyCar racing in 2021, shared another post about Biffle. It was from their trip to the dunes, which was seemingly organized by Biffle as part of his Sand Outlaw Series.

Also in their company were NASCAR icons Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon, among others. Marco Andretti shared photos and videos from the trip in an X post, writing:

"The trip of a lifetime to the dunes. #ripbiffle."

Greg Biffle died aged 55. He had 19 race wins in 16 years of racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 2023, he was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers. He knew Marco Andretti, having raced against him full-time in the SRX Series (Superstar Racing Experience) in 2022, when Andretti won the championship.

"What a sad and shocking day": IndyCar legend Mario Andretti mourns Greg Biffle

Greg Biffle with his wife Nicole and daughter Emma - Source: Getty

Greg Biffle and his family's tragic deaths in the plane crash shocked the motorsport world, and tributes poured in from all across. Four-time IndyCar champion and 1978 F1 champion Mario Andretti, the grandfather of Marco Andretti, was one of them.

The 85-year-old, winner of the 1967 Daytona 500, shared an emotional message on X, mourning Biffle and his family. He wrote:

"It will forever be the #GregBiffleCrash. What a sad & shocking day. I'm praying for Greg, Cristina and little angels Emma and Ryder. Also for peace and strength to Emma's mom Nicole Lunders . Greg... a star driver and a star in his second act as a humanitarian"

Greg Biffle also became known for his humanitarian efforts, including using his helicopter to save the residents of North Carolina affected by the disasters after Hurricane Helene.

Edited by Yash Kotak