NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin’s Father Dies, Mother Injured in House Fire
NASCAR icon Denny Hamlin’s father, Dennis, has passed away, and his mother, Mary Lou, is currently in the hospital following a fire at their North Carolina residence on Sunday, December 28.
The Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services confirmed the tragic news on Monday, December 29, as reported by WSOC-TV. Both Dennis, aged 75, and Mary Lou, aged 69, were taken to a local hospital with severe injuries.
Us Weekly has contacted Gaston County EMS for additional commentary.
Dennis and Mary Lou resided in a home owned by Denny, 45, in Stanley, North Carolina, approximately 30 minutes northwest of Charlotte.
Mary Lou has been transferred to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she is receiving ongoing treatment, according to Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass.
Authorities initially described her injuries as “life-threatening.”
The fire broke out on Sunday evening, with reports coming in around 6:20 p.m. ET. Fire crews took roughly two hours to bring the blaze under control.
“I was horrified for them last night,” a neighbor preferring to remain anonymous shared with WSOC. “It was gut-wrenching to witness it firsthand.”
Brett Hager, a neighbor of the Hamlins, commented to WSOC, “Our driveway was filled with volunteer firefighters and their vehicles. It was quite overwhelming to see everyone come together to help.”
Chief David Toomey of the Lucia Riverbend Fire Department informed The Athletic that 40 to 45 percent of the home was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
Toomey added that 10 to 12 fire crews were needed to combat the fire due to the lack of fire hydrants in the heavily wooded area surrounding the property, necessitating that water be transported in.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Dennis and Mary Lou recently marked their 52nd wedding anniversary, having wed in December 1973.
Dennis had been battling a terminal illness prior to his unfortunate passing.
Denny spoke about his father’s health before the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race in November.
“I’m aware this is my last opportunity for my dad to witness it,” Denny told the Associated Press in October. “I don’t want him to miss the moment.”
After triumphing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September, Denny reflected on a cherished in-person conversation with his father at their family home in North Carolina.
“He was so thrilled, always telling me I’m the best regardless of the outcomes. He’s my biggest supporter,” Denny said. “We sat in his garage, reminiscing over all my old memorabilia. It’s such a joy.”
Denny further shared about his father, “He’s the reason I got into racing. He took me to my first race when I was five and made tremendous sacrifices to support my passion. There were times we nearly lost our home, but he never stopped trying.”
