NASCAR Honors Beloved Driver Greg Biffle After Tragic Plane Crash

Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing and Kaulig Racing to pay tribute to Biffle at Daytona 500

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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NASCAR is mourning the loss of one of its beloved stars, Greg Biffle, who tragically died in a plane crash on December 18, 2025, in Statesville, North Carolina. Biffle, a prominent figure in the sport, was a winner of 19 Cup races and had previously secured championships in both the Craftsman Truck Series and the Busch Series. This weekend, Biffle's legacy will be honored during the Daytona 500, where drivers from Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK) and Kaulig Racing will pay tribute by stylizing their car numbers in the iconic jagged font that Biffle famously used throughout his career.

Why it matters

Biffle was a beloved figure in the NASCAR community, known for his competitive spirit and significant contributions to the sport. His tragic death has left the racing world in mourning, and the tributes at the Daytona 500 will serve as a way for the community to honor his legacy and remember his impact both on and off the track.

The details

According to investigators, Biffle was not piloting his jet at the time of the crash. The preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board indicated that an experienced pilot was at the controls, but the individual in the right seat was not qualified to serve as co-pilot. The plane, a Cessna C550 bound for Florida, crashed whereas attempting to return to Statesville Regional Airport, resulting in a devastating fire upon impact less than a mile from the runway. The tragic incident claimed the lives of Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children, Ryder, aged 5, and Emma, aged 14. Also among the deceased were Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.

  • Greg Biffle died in a plane crash on December 18, 2025, in Statesville, North Carolina.
  • The Daytona 500 will be held this weekend, where Biffle's legacy will be honored.

The players

Greg Biffle

A prominent figure in NASCAR, Biffle was a winner of 19 Cup races and had previously secured championships in both the Craftsman Truck Series and the Busch Series.

Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK)

The racing organization that Biffle was a part of, and which will be paying tribute to him at the Daytona 500 by stylizing their car numbers in the iconic jagged font that Biffle famously used.

Kaulig Racing

The racing organization that will also be honoring Biffle at the Daytona 500 by stylizing its No. 16 car, driven by AJ Allmendinger, in the same manner as a nod to Biffle's long association with that number.

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What they’re saying

“It's just a small way we can show appreciation or remembrance. It's a really neat thing that our organization put together and is able to do.”

— Chris Buescher, RFK driver

“Greg Biffle was more than a championship driver, he was family... He helped shape who we are as an organization and his legacy is woven into this team's history.”

— Brad Keselowski, RFK co-owner and driver

The takeaway

Biffle's tragic death has left the NASCAR community in mourning, but the tributes at the Daytona 500 will serve as a way for the community to honor his legacy and remember his impact both on and off the track. Biffle's humanitarian efforts and his contributions to the sport will continue to be celebrated and remembered by his fellow drivers and fans.