RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Tragedy struck the family of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin over the weekend after a devastating fire at their North Carolina home. The fire resulted in the death of Dennis Hamlin, 75, and left his wife, Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, in critical condition. The incident occurred on a Sunday night at their two-story residence situated near Stanley, approximately 20 miles northwest of Charlotte.
Emergency responders arrived to find the house largely engulfed in flames, with the blaze raging through the attic. Both family members were located outside the house, suffering from catastrophic injuries. Dennis Hamlin subsequently succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital, while Mary Lou Hamlin was transferred to the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem for treatment.
The fire caused significant structural damage, leading to the collapse of the building. Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the blaze.
The property, where the fire occurred, is owned by a company named Won One Real Estate, which lists Denny Hamlin as its manager according to local property tax records and filings with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office. As of Monday evening, representatives for Denny Hamlin had not responded to inquiries from the media regarding the incident.
Denny Hamlin, aged 45, is recognized as one of the top drivers in NASCAR, having achieved 60 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series, including three victories at the prestigious Daytona 500. Despite his accomplishments, he has yet to claim a Cup points championship, missing out during this season’s final race in Arizona last month.
In the weeks leading up to this tragic event, Denny Hamlin had publicly shared that his father was battling a serious illness and facing limited time. He had expressed his desire for his father to witness his success in NASCAR, highlighting the deep bond and sacrifices made by Dennis Hamlin to help his son pursue this career. “I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it. I don’t want him going and never getting to see the moment,” Hamlin stated, as reported by the Associated Press.
Denny Hamlin also referenced his father in emotional testimony earlier this month during a federal antitrust trial against NASCAR, which was partly brought by 23XI Racing, a team co-owned by Hamlin and Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. The trial concluded with a settlement reached between NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and another racing team, before jurors had the opportunity to deliberate.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the personal challenges that even high-profile public figures like Denny Hamlin face amidst their professional pursuits.
