Just a day after the tragic death of retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family in a private plane crash in North Carolina, his mother-in-law expressed the family’s profound grief, stating that they are struggling to comprehend the “huge hole” left in their lives.
Biffle, along with his wife Christina Grossu Biffle, their son Ryder, and Biffle’s daughter Emma, were among seven individuals who lost their lives when a Cessna C550 crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport on Friday morning. The other victims on board were identified as Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton.
Cathy Grossu shared that she had been in constant communication with her daughter throughout the day, including during the ill-fated flight. She recounted receiving a distressing text from Christina that read, “We’re in trouble, emergency landing.” In response, Grossu texted back, “What’s wrong with the plane?” Shortly after, she received an SOS alert on her phone, indicating that something was severely wrong.
Upon learning of a fire at the airport, Grossu realized the gravity of the situation, saying, “That’s when we knew that they crashed.”
Images from the scene depicted the plane engulfed in flames, with debris scattered across a nearby golf course, as reported by witnesses. Flight tracking data indicated that the plane had taken off before circling back toward the airport. While the North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed that the aircraft was returning for a landing, the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Reflecting on her last moments with the family, Grossu expressed regret over not recalling her final words to them. “It’s a cliché; people say to say ‘I love you’ to your loved ones all the time,” she said through tears. “When we said goodbye on Wednesday, we hugged. I don’t know what my last words were. Maybe it was ‘I love you.’ I don’t know. I don’t remember.”
Grossu fondly remembered the family as “good people” who embraced life fully. “It was way too soon for all of them to lose their lives, but they didn’t hold back and they were always giving,” she remarked.
She described Emma, 14, as a “good girl,” and shared that Ryder, who was just 5 years old, was a “bundle of energy” who adored his grandparents, whom he called Mimi and Baba. Ryder frequently visited Grossu’s home and dreamed of becoming a Formula 1 driver.
Grossu recounted a poignant moment when Ryder had asked her if he could open one of his Christmas presents early. She regretted denying him that simple joy, saying, “I regret that, saying that, every hour since this happened, why I didn’t let him open one present.”
Since the family’s tragic loss, tributes have poured in from the racing community and beyond. NASCAR remembered Biffle not only as a champion driver but also as a cherished friend. North Carolina Representative Richard Hudson took to social media to honor Biffle as an “extraordinary person.” A family statement highlighted Biffle and his wife as devoted parents who centered their lives around their children. It also acknowledged the love shared for Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth within the NASCAR community.
In a touching statement, Grossu conveyed the depth of their sorrow, saying, “It’s hard. We’re devastated. We’re just taking it one minute at a time. I can’t talk about it without bawling. I try not to, but it’s impossible.”
