"North Carolina will never forget them": Donald Trump pays tribute to NASCAR icon Greg Biffle and family

Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu, and two of their children were among seven people killed in a private plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on December 18. U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged the tragedy on Friday night during a political rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

The aircraft went down while attempting to land shortly after 10 a.m. local time, triggering an immediate emergency response and a federal investigation into the cause of the crash. Trump, who was campaigning for Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley ahead of the state’s 2026 midterm elections, recognized Biffle and his family in his speech.

“I also want to express my condolences to the people of this state and to the loved ones of NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, who perished yesterday in a tragic plane crash with his family in Statesville,” Trump said. “I met him twice. He was just a great young man and what a tragedy that is with his whole family. So I just want to pay our condolences, our love. Peace, please... I’ll tell you, North Carolina will never forget them. He and his family were incredible people.” (2:06:14 onwards)

The Cessna C550, registered to a company linked to Biffle, had departed Statesville earlier that morning before turning back toward the airport. Authorities said the plane failed to make it back to the runway and crashed near the eastern end of the airport, where fire and heavy smoke were reported.

In addition to Greg Biffle and his immediate family, the crash also claimed the lives of Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton, and Dutton’s son, Jack, bringing the total number of fatalities to seven. Families of the victims later released a joint statement confirming the losses.

According to investigators, the aircraft departed around 10:05 a.m. and initially turned west before turning back toward the airport. The jet never reached the runway, instead striking trees, light stanchions, and the airport perimeter fence before crashing. There were no distress calls from the aircraft before impact.

Donald Trump had met Greg Biffle earlier in 2025 at the Daytona 500, where the former driver shared photos with the president ahead of the race. It was Trump’s second visit to the Daytona 500 in five years, and that encounter resurfaced following Trump’s remarks, as the NASCAR community continued to process the loss.

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Federal investigation continues into crash that killed Greg Biffle and six others

An infographic of Greg Biffle's private jet crash in North Carolina. Source: Getty

Federal investigators confirmed that multiple people on board, including Greg Biffle, were licensed pilots, though it remains unclear who was flying the aircraft at the time of the crash. National Transportation Safety Board board member Michael Graham said investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder from the wreckage and sent it to Washington, D.C. for analysis, even though the aircraft was not required to carry one.

"Video will sometimes tell us a lot," Graham said via WCNC. "Additional video on approach would be really helpful to us, to get an idea of how high or how low that aircraft was."

While a preliminary report will be released within 30 days, Graham said the full investigation is expected to take 12 to 18 months. The airport remains closed as officials continue to examine weather conditions, video footage, witness statements, and other available data.

As the investigation continues, tributes from across the NASCAR world have highlighted Greg Biffle’s lasting presence in the sport.

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Edited by Mitali