Photo: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, Cristina, their daughter, Emma, and son, Ryder, were among the six people killed in a private plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday.
Biffle was born in Vancouver, Washington and graduated from Camas High School in 1988. He started his racing career competing on short tracks in the Pacific Northwest.
Biffle's company, GB Aviation, owned the Cessna C550 business jet that crashed Thursday at approximately 10:15 a.m. at Statesville Regional Airport, which is located about 45 miles north of Charlotte, according to the tail number, N257BW, listed on the Federal Aviation Administration's website. The plane was reportedly en route to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport at the time of the crash.
"We are deeply saddened by the news of the Cessna C550 aircraft crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina and enroute to SRQ this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with those on board and with their families and loved ones during this difficult time. Our thoughts also go out to the first responders who we know are diligently working to assist all those involved," said Paul L. Hoback Jr., the chief executive officer of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority.
Biffle won 19 races, recorded 13 poles and finished with 175 top tens during his NASCAR Cup Series career; 20 wins, 14 poles and 149 top tens in his NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series carer; and 17 wins, 12 poles and 55 top tens in his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career.