Dennis Hamlin, the father of Denny Hamlin, has passed away at the age of 75 due to injuries sustained in a house fire at his residence near Stanley, North Carolina.
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The Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services announced the news on Monday afternoon. Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, was transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center. She is being treated and remains in critical condition.
"Both suffered catastrophic injuries while escaping the flames," the Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services said in a Monday evening statement.
The cause of the Sunday night fire at the Stanley home remains under investigation due to the extent of fire and resulting structural collapse.
Property records show that Hamlin's Won One Real Estate owns the 3,724-square-foot home, which was built in 2015.
According to Lucia Riverbend Fire Department Chief David Toomey, the house was a total loss but the emergency services were able to salvage some racing memorabilia and collectibles.
The fire took approximately two hours to get under control and required the services of multiple fire departments. Hamlin's parents' residence was situated in a heavily wooded area without nearby fire hydrants.
Photo credit: Lucia Riverbend Fire Department
"The county didn't have water so this is how you have to deal with it in the rural area," Toomey told reporters on Sunday night. "(There were) 10-12 fire departments out here tonight, mostly bringing tankers to haul water."
Hamlin has long spoken about the relationship with his parents, especially his father, and how they helped him reach the highest levels of the sport. Dennis, the owner of Chesterfield Trailer and Hitch, used money from his business to support his son at the sport's grassroots levels.
This reality led to multiple arguments in the Hamlin household. It also forced the future Cup Series superstar to examine his future. As he told the "Richmond Times-Dispatch" in 2011, if he didn't make it in racing, he would go to work in his father's trailer shop.
Hamlin's path took a different turn once his family could no longer afford to support his racing. He drove for another team owner in 2003 but ultimately caught the attention of Joe Gibbs Racing when the team acquired a Late Model car from him.
He impressed the team and ultimately secured a contract. Two years later, he was competing full-time in what is now the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Three years later, he was winning races at the Cup level and contending for championships.
Hamlin paid his parents back for all of their support, and he brought them to North Carolina. His father was able to retire and spend several years watching him win races and continue competing for championships.
"My parents had no money," Hamlin said after winning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October. "My parents had very normal jobs, but they found a way. That way is a path I would never recommend anybody taking. Every credit card that comes to the mail, Okay, we'll use it.
"Asking people to help. Second and third mortgaging 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."
Dennis' health was in decline this year due to an unknown illness. This weighed heavily on Hamlin, something he acknowledged both after winning his 60th career race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and when he took the stand as part of an antitrust lawsuit trial.
"Yeah, just not doing well, not feeling well," Hamlin said. "He's the one that got me into racing. 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. Just tried to keep it all going. So I'm glad he was able to see 60. That was super important to me."
