NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin’s father killed in house fire, mother critically injured

North Carolina: The father of NASCAR star Denny Hamlin has died, and his mother is in critical condition following a massive house fire that destroyed their suburban Charlotte residence Sunday night, authorities reported Monday.

Fire crews from approximately 10 departments responded to a report of a blaze at a two-story home in Stanley, roughly 20 miles northwest of Charlotte, at 6:19 p.m. Rescuers with the Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services found the structure heavily engulfed in flames, which had already breached the attic.

First responders discovered Dennis Hamlin, 75, and Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, outside the home with what officials described as "catastrophic injuries." Dennis Hamlin was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Mary Lou Hamlin was transferred to the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Centre in Winston-Salem, where she remained under active treatment on Monday.

The intensity of the fire, combined with a lack of nearby hydrants, led to a structural collapse of the home. While investigators are still working to determine the cause, fire officials noted that crews managed to save several vehicles and racing memorabilia from the garage.

Public records indicate the property is owned by Won One Real Estate, a company managed by the 45-year-old NASCAR veteran. A spokesperson for Hamlin did not immediately return requests for comment.

The tragedy comes just weeks after Hamlin, a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and co-owner of 23XI Racing, shared that his father was battling a terminal illness. Hamlin, who has 60 career Cup Series wins, including three Daytona 500s, recently provided emotional testimony during a federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, where he detailed the immense personal sacrifices his parents made to fund his early racing career.

"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 last month, referring to his pursuit of a first Cup points championship.

With inputs from AP