Father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin dies after house fire, mother critically injured
The father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin died and his mother was critically injured after a weekend fire heavily damaged the North Carolina home where they lived.
Firefighters arrived at a two-storey home near Stanley that was mostly engulfed in fire, with flames showing through the attic, the Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services said in a news release.
Dennis Hamlin, 75, and Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, were found outside the home, suffering from catastrophic injuries, officials said. Dennis later died from his injuries at a hospital.
READ MORE: Giddey's injury blow as All-Star hopes hang in the balance
READ MORE: Konstas recall 'never far away' after plea from Aussie coach
READ MORE: Bradman's baggy green tipped to fetch $1m at auction
Mary Lou Hamlin was taken to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Centre in Winston-Salem, where she was being treated, officials said.
Denny Hamlin is introduced before the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Getty
The fire caused the structure to collapse. The cause is under investigation.
The home is owned by a company called Won One Real Estate that lists Denny Hamlin as its manager, according to local property tax records and a business document filing with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office.
Representatives for Hamlin had not responded to requests for comment as of Tuesday.
Hamlin is one of the marquee drivers in NASCAR's top circuit, having won 60 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500 three times.
The 45-year-old driver for Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to win a Cup points championship. He fell short of the title during this season's final race in Arizona last month.
Weeks earlier, Hamlin said his father — who nearly went broke with financial sacrifices to try to get his son into NASCAR — was battling a serious illness, and that he didn't have much time left to live.
Denny Hamlin Getty
“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 told The Associated Press.
Hamlin also mentioned his dad in emotional testimony this month at the start of a federal antitrust trial against NASCAR brought in part by 23XI Racing, which is owned by Hamlin and Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan.
NASCAR, 23XI Racing and another race team reached a settlement during the trial before jurors ever deliberated.
