NASCAR

2:06 PM PT -- Greg Biffle and wife Cristina Biffle died, along with Greg's daughter Emma -- who he had with his ex-wife Nicole Lunders -- and Greg and Cristina's 2-year-old son Ryder. Dennis Dutton, his son Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth were also killed.

Their families released a joint statement, reading in part ...

"We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words," the statement said. "Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives."

The statement continued ... "We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss. We are grateful for the kindness and support that has been extended to our families during this incredibly difficult time."

Legendary NASCAR driver Greg Biffle is among the dead after a fiery plane crash in North Carolina ... TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The Cessna C550, a light private jet registered to a company owned by the star driver, crash landed near a runway at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning, 26 minutes after the aircraft took off from the same air strip, killing the 55-year-old and others onboard.

The plane was originally scheduled to travel to Florida, but the Cessna seemed to turn back towards the airport just minutes into the flight.

Garrett Mitchell, aka YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, says Biffle and his family were traveling to spend the day with him, but tragically never made it.

NASCAR and Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing team's court battle is over -- the attorney representing Jordan and Front Row Motorsports in their antitrust lawsuit told a judge the two sides reached a settlement on Thursday.

Jeffery Kessler, who represented the sides suing the racing giant, told reporters outside the courthouse that he believes the settlement will "grow this sport."

"Gonna be great for the teams and for NASCAR, but most importantly, for the fans."

Former NASCAR driver Michael Annett has reportedly died.

Annett's death was announced by his former team, JR Motorsports, on Friday. He drove for them between 2017 and 2021, when he retired. NASCAR.com also confirmed the sad news.

It is not clear how he died, but his fellow former NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski said on X he's "glad he is no longer suffering."

This blonde bombshell will make anyone's engine roar ... Can you guess which actress revved up the NASCAR crowd this weekend?!?

This celeb hottie -- known for having great jeans -- often brings feelings of "Euphoria," even if it's "Anyone But You" ...

Druski's viral NASCAR skit sparked a good ol' fashioned down-home racial debate across America -- totally the type of comedy the world needs, says Brandon T. Jackson.

Movie buffs remember Brandon's portrayal in the 2008 Ben Stiller-directed comedy blockbuster "Tropic Thunder" as "Alpa Chino" ... the rapper stranded in the jungle who told Robert Downey Jr.'s character -- who was in blackface -- his hijinks weren't appreciated.

TMZ Hip Hop linked with Brandon following the Druski firestorm, and he says canceling Druski would be like canceling RDJ's unforgettable performance in "Tropic Thunder" ... no dice!!!

Druski broke the internet, the Bible Belt and the Mason-Dixon Line overnight with his NASCAR comedy skit where he completely transformed into a fun-loving, beer-chuggin' WHITE MAN -- dividing the country's opinions -- sort of like a pres... eh, you get the picture.

The influential comedian leaned into the stir he caused on social media with another mini-skit of him huffing a cig as if he were flustered ... while James Brown's "It's A Man's World" blares in the background.

Druski amassed over a million on his IG likes alone in the first day the skit shot out the gate ... some people loved it, while others hated it!!!

Druski is back with another racial skit ... and this time he's playing a white man who is proud to be an American ... and his hair and makeup are something to behold.

The comedian known for his viral skits dressed up in whiteface for his most recent video ... going undercover at a recent NASCAR race.

Druski looks white in the video, and he's got a bunch of tattoos and even some sunburns. He's got a beard, mullet and a cowboy hat to go with some denim overalls.

Fans of Frankie Muniz will have to wait to see him get behind the No. 33 truck again ... as the actor-turned-NASCAR driver busted his wrist in a freak accident -- putting him on the sideline "for the next few weeks."

Muniz shared the news on his social media Thursday, saying he fell off the top of a ladder while changing the batteries in his backyard Ring camera ... forcing him out of competition for the foreseeable future.

"While I'm gutted to miss the races, I'm grateful it wasn't worse," Muniz wrote. "I feel for my team, who've poured their hearts into this season, and I'm thankful for @FordPerformance and their unwavering support."

H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler -- a legend in the world of NASCAR and the former president and General Manager of the Charlotte Motor Speedway -- has passed away at the age of 86.

His passing was shared on Thursday ... with a statement saying he died "peacefully of natural causes yesterday, surrounded by loving family."

Jim France -- NASCAR Chairman and CEO -- called Wheeler a "visionary whose name became synonymous with promotion and innovation in our sport."

After his viral tumble set the internet ablaze following his big NASCAR Xfinity Series win on Saturday ... Connor Zilisch is now able to look back on the moment and laugh, saying, "It's gonna be tough to make a comeback from generational aura debt."

Zilisch made the self-depricating comment Monday night on X, saying now that he knows everything will be alright, he can poke fun at himself for his mishap in victory lane ... which resulted in him breaking his collarbone.

"At least I won," he wrote. Good point.

NASCAR racer Connor Zilisch was forced to pump the brakes on celebrating his big Xfinity Series win in New York Saturday when he tumbled from his car and broke his collarbone.

The horrific ordeal was caught on video -- Connor was climbing onto the roof of his No. 88 Chevrolet racecar to celebrate his W when his left foot seemingly got stuck in his window ... making him take a hard fall to the ground.

Paramedics quickly arrived to render aid ... and he was transported from Victory Lane at Watkins Glen International to a local hospital "awake and alert" for further evaluation.

Hulk Hogan's gone, but his presence will still be felt at the big NASCAR race this weekend ... as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is planning to have several tributes to the WWE legend etched onto his ride.

TMZ Sports has learned ... the driving star and his Hyak Motorsports team will be bringing back their red, white and blue Real American Beer paint job for their No. 47 Chevrolet to honor Hulk at Sunday's "Go Bowling at the Glen" Cup Series event on Sunday at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York.

Additionally, Stenhouse Jr.'s car will feature a "HULKAMANIA Forever" decal that has an image of Hogan tearing off his shirt on it.

Ever imagine what it would be like to see the top talent in NASCAR, F1 and IndyCar join forces for an epic competition?? Kyle Larson tells TMZ Sports he'd LOVE to see it to happen ... 'cause it would be a must-watch spectacle for all racing fans!!

The Hendrick Motorsports driver zoomed by the TMZ offices this week for a sit-down with Lucas Widman ... and he weighed in on the idea of putting the best from all major organizations together to determine the true "best driver."

"Dude, it would be awesome," Larson said. "It would be so cool if you could ever get myself, Max [Verstappen], or whoever the greatest racecar drivers of their discipline together to try and somehow figure out who may be the best, I think it would make for great TV."

The plane crash that took the life of dirt track racing legend Scott Bloomquist has been ruled a suicide.

According to a National Transportation Safety Board final report, obtained by TMZ Sports ... Bloomquist appeared to intentionally fly his aircraft into a barn on his family property in Moorseburg, Tenn. "as an act of suicide."

Officials wrote in the report the cause of death was blunt force injuries.

Wanna hear a really nasty story?? Urine luck.

IndyCar star Conor Daly admitted to wetting himself as he waited out the start of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday ... revealing he had to do the entire race "sitting in my own pee."

The 33-year-old Indiana native opened up about his race experience at Monday's victory banquet ... and while he finished 8th in the event, the takeaway was more about No. 1 -- specifically during the rain delay that postponed the start by about 45 minutes.

IndyCar star Pato O'Ward has the best Indy 500 starting position of his career leading into Sunday's race ... and he tells TMZ Sports he's ready to duke it out and take full advantage of his opportunity.

The 26-year-old Arrow McLaren driver has come REALLY close to winning the iconic event -- most recently finishing second after being passed on the last lap in 2024 -- but has never taken the checkered flag at the Brickyard.

O'Ward says he's not dwelling at all on last year's heartbreak going into this weekend ... but it's clear he's ready to rewrite his story at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.