'Poor Nicole Lunders...': First reactions to Greg Biffle, children's death in Statesville plane crash

Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife and two kids died in a NC plane crash. Ex-wife Nicole Lunders, mother of victim Emma, received condolences.

Updated on: Dec 19, 2025, 04:36:25 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

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On Thursday, tragedy struck the NASCAR community as news broke that former driver Greg Biffle, his wife and two children died in a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina. The deaths have cast a shadow of grief on the friends and extended family of the Biffles. And, perhaps, the most devastated would be Greg Biffle's ex-wife, Nicole Lunders.

Former driver Greg Biffle looks on prior to an event announcing the 2025 class for the NASCAR Hall of Fame in May 2024, in Charlotte. (AP)

Lunders, who separated from Greg Biffle in 2015, had a daughter with the 55-year-old, Emma. Emma was with Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu, and Biffle and Cristina's son, Jack Ryder- all of whom passed away in the crash.

However, social media erupted with condolences for Lunders on Emma's death, along with five others, including the pilot of the Cessna C550 owned by Greg Biffle. Notably, race car driver Craig Wadsworth was the other passenger who passed away in the crash.

“Pray for Nicole Lunders,” one X user wrote. “She is the ex-wife of Greg Biffle and mother of his daughter. She just lost her baby girl.”

Former race car driver Mario Andretti also remembered Nicole Lunders as he expressed shock and condolences for the family.

"What a sad & shocking day. I'm praying for Greg, Cristina and little angels Emma and Ryder," Andretti wrote. “Also for peace and strength to Emma's mom Nicole Lunders . Greg... a star driver and a star in his second act as a humanitarian.”

A joint statement issued by the families involved in the crash included the Lunders family, as well. Here's the statement.

Also read: Greg Biffle plane crash: Who was Craig Wadsworth, famed NASCAR Motorhome driver killed in Statesville?

Greg Biffle And Nicole Launders' Relationship

Lunders met Greg Biffle in 1998 during his early NASCAR career and dated for eight years before he proposed on Christmas Eve 2006. The couple married on October 17, 2007. They separated in early 2015 amid mutual infidelity accusations, with their divorce finalized in 2016; a notable 2018 lawsuit awarded Lunders $250,000 in punitive damages after Biffle installed hidden cameras in their home. Their daughter, Emma Elizabeth, was born on July 6, 2011.

Greg Biffle married his second wife, Cristina Grossu, in December 2022 or January 2023. Their son, Jack Ryder, was born on September 9, 2020.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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