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12/29 19:52 CST Father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin dies after house fire,
mother critically injured
Father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin dies after house fire, mother critically
injured
By GARY D. ROBERTSON and ADRIAN SAINZ
Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) --- The father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin died and his
mother was critically injured after a weekend fire heavily damaged the North
Carolina home where they lived, officials said Monday.
Firefighters arrived Sunday night at a two-story home near Stanley that was
mostly engulfed in fire, with flames showing through the attic, the Gaston
County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services said in a news release.
Dennis Hamlin, 75, and Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, were found outside the home,
suffering from catastrophic injuries, officials said. Dennis Hamlin later died
from his injuries at a hospital, officials said.
Mary Lou Hamlin was taken to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in
Winston-Salem, where she was being treated Monday, officials said.
The fire caused the structure to collapse. The cause is under investigation.
Stanley is located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Charlotte.
The home is owned by a company called Won One Real Estate that lists Denny
Hamlin as its manager, according to local property tax records and a business
document filing with the North Carolina Secretary of State's Office.
Representatives for Hamlin had not responded to requests for comment as of
Monday evening.
Hamlin is one of the marquee drivers in NASCAR's top circuit, having won 60
NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500 three times.
The 45-year-old driver for Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to win a Cup points
championship. He fell short of the title during this season's final race in
Arizona last month.
Weeks earlier, Hamlin said his father --- who nearly went broke with financial
sacrifices to try to get his son into NASCAR --- was battling a serious
illness, and that he didn't have much time left to live.
"I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it. I don't want
him going and never getting to see the moment," Hamlin told The Associated
Press.
Hamlin also mentioned his dad in emotional testimony this month at the start of
a federal antitrust trial against NASCAR brought in part by 23XI Racing, which
is owned by Hamlin and Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. NASCAR, 23XI
Racing and another race team reached a settlement during the trial before
jurors ever deliberated.
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Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee.
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