Seven people died when the Cessna C550, belonging to Biffle, crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday morning

Greg Biffle and wife Cristina with their 2 kids in February 2022.Credit : Cristina Grossu Biffle/Instagram

The identities of three others who died in Thursday’s plane crash that killed retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family have been disclosed in a joint statement released by the victims’ families, as they speak out for the first time.

“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words,” the statement from the Biffle, Grossu, Dutton and Lunders families, shared by Fox Sports motorsports reporter Bob Pockrass on X, reads.

“Greg and Cristina were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma (mother – Nicole Lunders). Emma was a wonderful human being with a kind soul who was loved by many people. Ryder was an active, curious and infinitely joyful child.”

In addition, the family members shared the identities of the three other victims.

Greg Biffle.Kathryn Riley/SRX via Getty

“Dennis Dutton and his son Jack were deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them. Craig Wadsworth was beloved by many in the NASCAR community and will be missed by those who knew him.”

Wadsworth was a well-known figure along the NASCAR circuit who once drove retired NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace’s motorhome, he shared in a post on Instagram.

The statement continued, “Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives. At this moment, our focus is on honoring their lives and supporting one another.”

Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle and their five-year-old son Ryder were aboard the plane, as was Biffle’s 14-year-old daughter Emma, whom he shared with ex-wife Nicole Lunders.

The Cessna C550 crashed and exploded into a fireball while landing in inclement weather at Statesville Regional Airport in Statesville at around 10:15 a.m., according to the Associated Press.

The business jet had taken off from the airport — which is about 45 miles north of Charlotte — shortly after 10 a.m. before attempting to return to the airport.

According to family friend Garrett Mitchell, the plane was en route to Florida at the time of the accident.

“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane,” Mitchell posted on Facebook. “Because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us. We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”

According to FlightAware, the plane was bound for Sarasota, Fla.

Biffle, nicknamed “The Biff,” won multiple championships during his racing career including in the Truck Series in 2000 and the Xfinity Series in 2002. The Vancouver, Wash. native was also named as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. Last year, he received the 2024 NMPA Myers Brothers Award for humanitarian aid.