Heartbreak for NASCAR legend Denny Hamlin as his father is confirmed dead in horror house fire
The father of Michael Jordan’s business partner and NASCAR legend Denny Hamlin has been confirmed dead in a fatal house fire in North Carolina.
A huge blaze was reported to the Lucia Riverbend Fire Department at 6:19pm on Sunday night at a home owned by motor racing icon Hamlin, with the local fire chief later revealing that his parents, Mary Lou and Dennis, lived at the address.
Now, Gaston County EMS has confirmed that Hamlin’s father, 75, died from injuries suffered in the blaze, per FOX Sports’ esteemed NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass.
Hamlin’s mother Mary Lou, meanwhile, has been transferred to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem, where she is being ‘actively treated’ for her own injuries and is in a critical condition.
As revealed to The Athletic by the fire chief, nearly half the home was burning when first responders arrived from more than 10 fire departments in the area.
The added personnel was required due to a lack of hydrants in the heavily wooded area surrounding the home.
Crews fight to put out the fire which is now confirmed to have killed Denny Hamlin’s father
A young Denny Hamlin is pictured alongside his parents, Dennis and Mary Lou
Denny Hamlin (left) and Michael Jordan (right) launched the 23XI racing team in 2020
One person was initially trapped in the house before being freed. Two victims were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation before one was pronounced dead, later confirmed as Dennis Hamlin.
Denny Hamlin has yet to comment on the tragedy, and due to the structural collapse of the property, no cause has yet been confirmed for the blaze.
Hamlin had previously given credit to his father for his success in motor racing, telling reporters: ‘He’s the one that got me into racing.
‘Just took me to a race track when I was 5, then made all the sacrifices financially to keep me going. Sold everything they had. We almost lost our house a couple of times. Just tried to keep it all going. So I’m glad he was able to see 60. That was super important to me.’
Denny’s comments about his father ‘seeing 60’ came amid health concerns, but he got through another 15 years and died at the age of 75 on Sunday evening.
Dennis had also previously opened up about his son’s career, and the emotional story about finding out he had made it to the top level of motorsport.
‘One day, Denny pulled into our driveway and said, “Dad, you’re done”,’ he told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
‘I said, “I’m done what?” Denny said, “You’re done working and you’re moving to Charlotte.” I said, “I’m not going anywhere,” and he gave me the keys to a new house and said, “It’s furnished, take your clothes, sell the business. Mom works for me now. It’s set. You’re going. You’re retired”.’
The fire comes after Hamlin and Jordan’s emotional courtroom victory over NASCAR in Charlotte earlier this month.
Although the financial terms were not disclosed, the 23XI team co-owners reached a settlement in their lawsuit over NASCAR’s charter agreements and revenue sharing back on December 11. The plaintiffs, 23XI and Front Row Motorsports, had framed the lawsuit as an imperative for the sport’s financial well-being.
‘Today’s a good day,’ Jordan said as he waited in the gallery for attorneys to announce the deal outside the federal courthouse in Charlotte.
‘I’ve said this from Day 1: Only way this sport is going to grow is we have to find some synergy between the two entities, and I think we’ve gotten to that point,’ Jordan continued, as quoted by The Athletic.
One person was initially trapped in the house before being freed. Two victims were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, and they have now been identified as Hamlin’s parents
Crews from 10 fire departments were rushed to the home due to a lack of a fire hydrant nearby
‘Unfortunately, it took 16 months to get here, but I think, level heads got us to this point to where we can actually work together and grow this sport. I’m very proud about that. And I think [NASCAR chairman Jim France] feels the same.’
Born in Tampa, Hamlin was raised by his parents in central Virginia before getting his start on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2004. The 45-year-old now has 60 career wins over 718 NASCAR Cup Series starts.
In 2020, Hamlin launched the 23XI racing team alongside his long-time friend, Jordan, although he continues to race for Joe Gibbs Racing.
The fire also follows another tragedy within the NASCAR family this month: the deaths of driver Greg Biffle, his wife Christina Grossu, and their children, Ryder Jack and Emma Elizabeth in a North Carolina plane crash.
The 55-year-old’s Cessna C550 private jet was seen burning on a runway at Statesville Regional Airport around 10:15am on December 18, according to authorities, who reported six deaths in total.
Hamlin’s father died in the fire and his mother is continuing to be treated at the hospital
Biffle is seen with his wife, Christina, son, Jack, and his daughter, Emma. The family was among six casualties in this month’s tragic plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport
The Biffles’ deaths were confirmed by a number of family friends, including Richard Hudson, a US Congressman from North Carolina.
‘I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,’ Hudson wrote on X.
‘They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans. But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track.’
Named one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers in 2023, Biffle wasn’t born into a racing family. Instead, the Vancouver, Washington native came up driving on dirt tracks in the Pacific Northwest before famously being recommended to legendary team owner Jack Rouse by driver-turned-announcer Benny Parsons.
