NASCAR Community Gathers in Charlotte to Honor Greg Biffle and Lives Lost in Tragic Plane Crash

Hundreds of members of the NASCAR community gathered Friday at Charlotte’s Bojangles Coliseum to remember and honor Greg Biffle, his family, and others who lost their lives in a devastating plane crash last month. The atmosphere inside the arena was heavy with grief, as tears and silence spoke louder than words for a sport mourning one of its own.

The memorial service was led by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who stood before fellow drivers, team members, officials, and fans to guide the emotional farewell. Speaking on behalf of NASCAR, Earnhardt Jr. opened the ceremony with a tribute that immediately set the tone for the afternoon—simple, heartfelt, and deeply personal.

“Today, NASCAR didn’t just lose a great driver,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “We lost a man who lived fully, loved his family deeply, and always gave more than he ever took.” His words echoed across the hushed coliseum, capturing the sense of collective loss felt throughout the racing world.

Greg Biffle, 55, was killed along with his wife, Cristina, and their two children—Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14—when a Cessna C550 crashed while attempting to return to Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. Also aboard the plane were Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth. All seven lives were remembered throughout the service, each name carrying equal weight and sorrow.

At the center of the covered ice rink, a makeshift stage was set beneath a large video board. One by one, images of the seven victims appeared on the screen as the audience observed a moment of solemn silence. The stillness inside the arena underscored the magnitude of the tragedy and the bond shared by those in attendance.

Earnhardt Jr. spoke not only of Biffle’s accomplishments on the racetrack, but also of the man he was away from it. He highlighted Biffle’s selection as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, his status as a Hall of Fame nominee, and an 18-year career spent competing at the highest level of the sport. Yet, he emphasized that statistics and accolades told only part of the story.

“Greg was the kind of person who made everything better just by walking into the room,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “He set a standard for how to live, how to love, and how to serve others.” The remarks reflected a recurring theme throughout the service: Biffle’s legacy extended far beyond wins and trophies.

Several other speakers took the stage to share personal memories, including former drivers Jeff Burton and Phil Parsons. Each story added another layer to the portrait of Biffle as a competitor, a friend, and a family man. Their words painted a picture of someone respected not only for his talent, but for his character.

One of the most emotional moments came when close friend Garrett Mitchell, widely known as Cleetus McFarland, addressed the crowd. He spoke about the phrase that has resonated throughout the NASCAR community since the tragedy: “Be like Biff.” Mitchell described it as a call to action—a reminder to seize opportunities, show up for loved ones, and lead with generosity and compassion.

Outside the coliseum, the tribute continued in quieter ways. Fans gathered around three racecars that Biffle drove during his career, parked in the lot as a final homage. Many stood silently, hands resting on the cars, offering a wordless goodbye to a driver who meant so much to the sport.

Inside the arena, seven wreaths were arranged on the stage, each representing one life lost. The visual served as a powerful reminder that the tragedy reached far beyond a single name, touching families and futures that would never be the same.

As the service drew to a close, Earnhardt Jr. delivered a message aimed at a NASCAR community still grappling with grief. “We will keep racing,” he said. “But we’ll do it the way Greg lived—with kindness, courage, and without ever forgetting why we started.”

The memorial ended with subdued applause, not celebratory but resolute. It was a farewell filled with sorrow, gratitude, and a shared promise. NASCAR said goodbye to Greg Biffle and those lost alongside him, while pledging to carry forward the values he embodied—on the track, and beyond it.