Denny Hamlin Speaks on His Father’s Passing

Denny Hamlin has shared his thoughts about his father’s death for the first time.

His father, Dennis, who was 75, passed away due to injuries from a devastating house fire that occurred at Hamlin’s family home in Gaston County, North Carolina, on December 28. His mother, Mary Lou, was also hurt in the incident.

In a recent interview with Fox, leading up to the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway, the NASCAR driver recounted the moment he learned about the tragedy and his hurried drive back to his parents’ house.

“My sister called and said their house had burned down and everything was lost,” he recalled. “My mother managed to get him from the bedroom to the front yard. I was racing back, but she told me he had already been taken to the hospital.”

During the interview, Hamlin mentioned that his father was already battling terminal chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Mary Lou survived the fire and is in the process of recovery.

Hamlin described the shock he felt when he first saw his father’s body in the hospital. “Seeing him lying there made it real for me. I understood it was true at that moment,” he said. “The state of his injuries hit hard, and, of course, I thought about my mother. She witnessed everything firsthand.”

Mary Lou is healing well and even traveled to Florida to watch her son race in the Daytona 500.

Hamlin expressed his belief that his father is now in heaven, enjoying the company of his dear friend George, and that they are both watching him race on Sunday.

Although Hamlin’s race came to an early end at lap 124 due to a massive 20-car pileup, he found success as co-owner of 23XI Racing. The ownership group also includes NBA legend Michael Jordan and has achieved notable victories, including for driver Tyler Reddick.