Resurfaced interview reveals sacrifices Denny Hamlin’s dad made for NASCAR son months before tragic death in fire
An emotional interview Denny Hamlin gave after winning his historic 60th NASCAR Cup Series in October has taken on a deeper meaning after the death of his father in a fire.
The 75-year-old Dennis Hamlin’s death was confirmed on Monday evening after a huge house fire in North Carolina on Sunday. 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.
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.
Dennis was unwell at the time of Denny won his history-clinching race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and he got tearful as he paid tribute to his father and the influence he had upon him.
‘He’s the one that got me into racing,’ Hamlin said in a press conference after his triumph. ‘Just took me to a racetrack when I was five.
‘Then made all the sacrifices financially to keep me going. Sold everything they had. We almost lost our house a couple times. (We) just tried to keep it all going. So I’m glad he was able to see 60. That was super important to me.
Crews fight to put out the fire which is now confirmed to have killed Denny Hamlin’s father
Dennis (left) died in the fire, while mother Mary Lou (right) is in a critical condition in hospital
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
‘I don’t know if I could have scripted it better. 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.
‘Asking people to help. Second and third (mortgages on) 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 it anymore.” The other one saying, “please, just one more week.”
‘It’s great it’s all paid off. Certainly they got the life now that they deserved before I decided to do this.’
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.
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, the NBA great Michael Jordan, although he continues to race for Joe Gibbs Racing.
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.
A young Denny Hamlin is pictured alongside his parents, Dennis and Mary Lou
Hamlin’s father died in the fire and his mother is continuing to be treated at the hospital
Hamlin launched the 23XI racing team alongside close friend Michael Jordan in 2020
‘Standing up isn’t easy, but progress never comes from staying silent. The reward is in knowing you changed something,’ Hamlin wrote on X after the case.
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 when he bought him a house.
‘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 leaving. You’re retired.”‘
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.
