Who are Denny Hamlin’s parents? NASCAR star’s father dies after North Carolina house fire leaves mother critical (Image via Getty)

NASCAR icon Denny Hamlin has shared an emotional update after a devastating house fire turned his family’s life upside down. The fire broke out at his parents’ home in North Carolina on Sunday night.

His father, 75, Dennis Hamlin, sadly died from injuries suffered in the blaze. Hamlin’s mother, Mary Lou, was also inside the house when the fire started. The 69-year-old was left in critical condition and rushed to the hospital. After days of concern, Hamlin has now confirmed that her condition is improving. The family continues to grieve the loss of his father while holding on to hope during his mother’s recovery.

Denny Hamlin thanks supporters as his mother shows signs of recovery

Denny Hamlin took to social media to address fans and well-wishers. He thanked people for the messages sent after his father’s passing. He also shared that his mother is steadily getting better. Hamlin said the family is grateful for the support and asked for privacy as they deal with the tragedy.It later emerged that Mary Lou showed incredible bravery during the fire. She reportedly managed to pull her terminally ill husband out of the burning house before firefighters arrived.

Both were found outside the home with serious injuries. Sadly, Dennis did not survive despite medical efforts.Fire officials said the situation was difficult when crews reached the scene. Nearly half of the two-story home was already on fire. It took close to two hours to fully put out the flames. While some valuable items, including cars and racing memorabilia, were saved from the garage, the damage to the house was extensive.Emergency services confirmed that they were called to the scene shortly after 6:15 PM. Several fire agencies responded together. Authorities later stated that both Dennis and Mary Lou Hamlin suffered life-threatening injuries while trying to escape the fire.Tributes have poured in from fans across the NASCAR world. Hamlin has often spoken about how important his parents were to his career. They were regular supporters throughout his rise in the sport. Hamlin drives the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. He remains one of the most successful and highest-paid drivers in NASCAR. In the 2025 season, he finished second overall, just three points behind Kyle Larson. He recorded six wins and finished in the top five in 14 races.Also Read: Formula 1 2026 chaos begins early as Ferrari challenges Mercedes’ new engine power advantage