LDL. NASCAR Mourns as Denny Hamlin’s Father Dies in House Fire and the Community Remembers Greg Biffle
The NASCAR world is reeling from tragedy as one of its most respected drivers faces a heartbreaking personal loss at the end of an already difficult December.
On Sunday night, Dennis Hamlin, the 75-year-old father of NASCAR Cup Series star Denny Hamlin, died after sustaining injuries while escaping a house fire at his North Carolina home, officials confirmed. His wife, Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, also escaped the blaze but was left with catastrophic injuries and was hospitalized in critical condition at a burn center in Winston-Salem. Fire crews responded to the blaze in Stanley, North Carolina, where the two-story home was heavily engulfed in flames; the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Denny Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner and one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers with 60 Cup Series victories, has not publicly commented on the tragedy. Family and racing fans alike are sharing condolences and prayers for the Hamlin family as they process this devastating loss
This heartbreak comes just weeks after the NASCAR community was hit by another tragic loss — the death of former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, who was killed in a plane crash on December 18, 2025, along with his wife, children, and others aboard. Biffle, celebrated as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers and a champion in multiple series, left behind a legacy beloved by fans across the sport.
The back-to-back tragedies have cast a somber mood over the sport, as teammates, rivals, and fans alike honor the memories of Biffle and Dennis Hamlin while extending love and support to the families affected.
As the community rallies, many are reminding fans that behind the high speeds and fierce competition, NASCAR is built on relationships, shared history, and a deep sense of family — both on and off the track.
Our thoughts are with the Hamlin family, Greg Biffle’s family, and everyone in the NASCAR community grieving these losses.
