Tributes for NASCAR driver Greg Biffle are flooding in after authorities confirmed that Biffle and his family were on board the business jet that crashed in a regional North Carolina airport on Friday (AEDT).
After attempting to land, the jet crashed and erupted in a large fire, killing seven people on board.
The 55-year-old semi-retired NASCAR driver is affectionately known as "The Biff" and owned the plane through GB Aviation Leasing, public records show. The jet company is used heavily by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies.
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Garrett Mitchell, a motorsport personality and friend of the family, claimed in a social media post that the NASCAR favourite and his family were flying to see him.
"Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma and son Ryder were on that plane," Mitchell wrote on Facebook.
"Because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I'm so sorry to share this."
Multiple drivers and NASCAR paddock figures have expressed condolences to the Biffle family after news of the "devastating" aviation incident.
Fox broadcaster Kaitlyn Vincie wrote on X: "What an awful tragedy. Greg Biffle was a well respected racer, a family man, and lended help to so many in need."
"Truly one of the best. He will be greatly missed by us all."
Journalist Bob Dillner echoed the sentiments, saying, "Today is a tough one. We lost someone who made such a positive impact on so many lives."
"From short tracks out west, to the big leagues of NASCAR, & recently helping those who needed it most, Greg Biffle was a great man. He loved his family, & we loved him. One day, I'll see you again my friend."
NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar posted a photo of the two on track, calling it a "heart breaking day."
https://x.com/mattvanswol/status/2001737281389183478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2001737281389183478%7Ctwgr%5Ea449097d12fcadc6e7f670858c1bf8f4e83994d8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-39422629703966313950.ampproject.net%2F2510081644000%2Fframe.htmlhttps://x.com/ScottyPowellWX/status/2001747880709665243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2001747880709665243%7Ctwgr%5E356cd38b42d5ce5ad2874b08b40ba3786b64cce4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-39422629703966313950.ampproject.net%2F2510081644000%2Fframe.htmlhttps://x.com/CarsonHocevar/status/2001729587462525218?s=20https://x.com/ClintBowyer/status/2001759162636865966?s=20https://x.com/nascarcasm/status/2001761788099002776?s=20https://x.com/allanw98/status/2001726075584286965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2001726075584286965%7Ctwgr%5E3a2c3d68be0cde4eb5fa36943d626430bb2c9fe7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-39422629703966313950.ampproject.net%2F2510081644000%2Fframe.html
Biffle, a married father of two, was a 19-time winner in NASCAR's Cup Series and a one-time Busch series champion.
Alongside his racing career, Biffle was well known for his selfless personality.
He made headlines in 2024 for piloting his privately owned chopper to make a daring rescue of a trapped Hurricane Helene victim, with the incident caught on camera.
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