• Former Nascar driver Greg Biffle and his family were killed in a plane crash in North Carolina
• Biffle was one of the sport’s top drivers and left a lasting legacy

Nascar announced that Biffle and his family were among seven people who died in a crash at a regional airport in North Carolina.

A highway patrol spokesperson said witnesses confirmed Biffle was on the plane.

Officials investigating the incident reported the aircraft crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport.

In a statement, Nascar said, "Greg was more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member of the Nascar community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to many," confirming Biffle died with his wife, daughter, son, and three others.

The organization added, "His passion, integrity, and commitment to fans and fellow competitors left a lasting impact on the sport."

Condolences poured in Thursday.

Statesville Airport director John Ferguson described the plane as a corporate jet, noting it was already on fire when he arrived.

Authorities said the plane took off around 10:06 a.m. local time, was briefly airborne, then crashed at the east end of the runway.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause.

Biffle, whose racing career spanned two decades, was named one of Nascar's 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.

The 55-year-old won 19 Cup Series races, in addition to multiple Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series victories.

Known as "The Biff," he gained national attention in the 1995 Nascar Winter Heat Series, won the 1998 Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year, and the 2000 championship.

He also earned Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year in 2001 and the 2002 championship, becoming the first driver to win championships in both series.

Despite reducing his racing after 2016, he returned for a one-off race at Texas Motor Speedway in 2019 and won.