Dennis Hamlin, the father of NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin, has died, and Hamlin's mother, Mary Lou, was severely injured in a fire at their home on Sunday night.
Fire crews responded to a call at 6:19 p.m. ET in Stanley, North Carolina. According to multiple reports, both Dennis and Mary Lou were outside the residence when firefighters arrived, and they were taken to a hospital. Numerous fire departments were involved in putting out the blaze because there are no hydrants in the area where the Hamlins lived.
Gaston County Emergency Medical Services confirmed Monday eveningthat Dennis Hamlin had died from injuries sustained in the fire and that Mary Lou was being actively treated at a hospital in Winston-Salem.
Per the Athletic, a statement from Gaston EMS said that both Hamlins suffered "catastrophic injuries" in the fire.
The house is owned by a real estate company managed by Denny Hamlin.
Dennis Hamlin had been in poor health in the fall of 2025. After winning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to clinch a chance at the championship, Denny Hamlin was emotional and reflected on the sacrifices his family made for him to pursue his auto racing career.
"Just thank him for sacrificing really his and my mom's life to chase around my dreams," Hamlin said when asked after the race what he wanted to say to his dad following the victory. "My parents had no money. My parents had very normal jobs, but they found a way. That way is a path I would never recommend anybody taking. Every credit card that comes to the mail, 'OK, we'll use it.' Asking people to help. Second and third mortgaging the house. All these things. The arguments I had to listen to. I'm in my room, and my mom and dad are going at it. One is saying, 'I can't do this anymore.' The other one saying, 'Please just one more week.'"
Before the title race at Phoenix, Hamlin said he knew it was his dad's last opportunity to see him win the championship.
"I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it,"Hamlin told the AP in October. "I don't want him going and never getting to see the moment."
Hamlin, 45, controlled the race at Phoenix and was well on his way to victory. However, a tire failure from fellow title contender William Byron set up a late caution, and Hamlin exited pit roadbehind eventual Cup Series champion Kyle Larsonbecause of the teams' differing pit strategies. Then Hamlin was unable to pass Larson in the final two laps of the race, and Larson won his second Cup Series title.
Weeks after the title race,Hamlin scored a major victory in a federal courthouse in North Carolina, as the 23XI Racing team he co-owns with Michael Jordan and Front Row Motorsports settled their anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR. As a result of the settlement, NASCAR granted permanent charters to all Cup Series teams. The lack of permanent charters was a driving reason for the suit.
