Dennis Hamlin, father to NASCAR racer Denny Hamlin, dies in house fire

Dennis Hamlin, the father to NASCAR Cup Series veteran Denny Hamlin, died on Sunday evening when the house he shared with wife MaryLou in Stanley, North Carolina.

The elder Hamlin was 75-years-old.

Both Dennis and MaryLou were outside of their still burning home when the Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department and other safety crews arrived to extinguish the flames. At this point, roughly 45 percent of the home was already on fire.

Both Hamlins were transported to a nearby hospital.

The Gaston County EMS confirmed on Monday night that Dennis had died and that MaryLou, 69, had been transferred to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where she is still being ‘actively treated’ and is in critical condition.

"Both suffered catastrophic injuries while escaping the flames," read a statement from the Gaston County EMS.

Additionally, the EMS said the investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing and currently undetermined due to the structural damage and collapse of the home.  

The property was owned by the Cup Series star, under his Won One Real Estate entity, and the 3,724 square-foot house was built in 2015. Dennis and Denny shared a strong bond, and the son referenced his love frequently over the years, but especially this past season as it was made public that the former was facing a life-ending ailment.

Denny said, while chasing his first championship this past season, that 2025 would be the last time his father would see him race for the Jim France Cup. Ultimately, Denny dominated the championship race and was three laps away from the elusive title when a caution and ensuing pit decision cost him that distinction.

In the days that followed, Denny said he spoke to his dad shortly thereafter, who told his son he was a champion in his eyes regardless.

Denny's racing career was entirely made possible by Dennis and MaryLou putting practically every dollar they had into the cars their son raced in the hopes it would lead to a NASCAR career. Dennis owned Chesterfield Trailer and Hitch in Virginia and it was the largest de facto early sponsor for Denny until he was hired by Joe Gibbs Racing after a chance meeting between Denny and the late JD Gibbs.

Denny recently named his son Jameson Drew after both prominent JDs in his life -- Jason Dean Gibbs and James Dennis Hamlin Sr.