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President Donald Trump remembered Greg Biffle as a “great young man” Friday while delivering his speech in North Carolina a day after the former NASCAR star and his family members died in a plane crash.
Biffle, his wife, their son and daughter were among seven people killed when their plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport Thursday morning. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge Dan Baker said the plane took off around 10:05 a.m. ET and began turning back toward the airport five minutes after takeoff.
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President Donald Trump takes a selfie with former NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle (R) and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty before the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway February 16, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The plane crashed approximately 10 minutes after takeoff.
“I also want to express my condolences to the people of this state,” Trump said. “And to the loved ones of NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, who died yesterday in a tragic plane crash with his family in Statesville.
GREG BIFFLE’S WIFE SENT A WORRYING TEXT MESSAGE BEFORE PLANE CRASHED
President Donald Trump speaks to former NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle (L) and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty before the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway February 16, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Chris Graythen / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
“I met him twice. He was just a wonderful young man and what a tragedy for his whole family. So, I just want to give him our condolences, our love. I’ll tell you, North Carolina, we’ll never forget them. Him and his family were incredible people.”
Biffle, 55, was killed alongside his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14. Three other people killed on board were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack and Craig Wadsworth.
The professional racing driver has won more than 50 races on all three NASCAR circuits, including 19 at the Cup Series level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle appears during the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia on March 20, 2022. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
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NASCAR called Biffle “a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor and a friend to so many.”
