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The father of NASCAR star Denny Hamlin has been identified as the victim who died in a North Carolina house fire, officials said Monday.
Dennis Hamlin, 75, died from his injuries sustained in Sunday’s fire, Gaston County Emergency Medical Services said, via FOX Sports. The driver’s mother, Mary Lou, was transferred to a special hospital in Winston-Salem to treat her burns.
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Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 Progressive Toyota, exits his car after the NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 2, 2025, in Avondale, Arizona. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Authorities said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
The fire broke out at a Stanley home around 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, prompting emergency responses from Gaston and Lincoln counties, according to Queen City News.
Dennis and Mary Lou Hamlin were both outside the home as emergency personnel rushed to the scene.
“We are grateful for the response from multiple agencies and ask the public to pray for the affected family and our fire, EME and police first responders,” the Lucia-Bend Fire Department said in a statement to the news outlet.
Dennis Hamlin was listed as a director of the real estate company that owned the house. Firefighters said the house was completely destroyed, as it took about two hours for the fire to be extinguished.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) during qualifying for the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15, 2025. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
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The NASCAR world offered its condolences to Hamlin and his family.
Hamlin is a decorated NASCAR driver. He has 60 Cup Series victories and recently failed in his quest for a NASCAR championship.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin walks past the championship trophy as he presents it before the NASCAR championship race at Phoenix Raceway on November 2, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
He co-owns 23XI Racing, headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, about 23 miles from Stanley.
