The NASCAR community is praying for star driver Denny Hamlin after his father died following a house fire on Sunday.
Dennis Hamlin, Denny’s father, died from injuries suffered after his house caught on fire Sunday evening.
The Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services announced in a news release Monday evening that Dennis Hamlin has died.
In addition, the update added that Mary Lou Hamlin, who is Dennis Hamlin’s wife and Denny Hamlin’s mother, is in critical condition.
She has been transferred to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and is “actively being treated,” according to NASCAR.com.
The fire was reported in Gaston County, N.C., near Charlotte, at 6:19 p.m. Sunday. First responders arrived to the house moments later and found Dennis Hamlin and Mary Lou Hamlin outside of it. They were immediately transported to a local hospital.
Unfortunately, Dennis Hamlin later died.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Denny and his family,” fellow NASCAR driver Kyle Busch posted on X. “It has really been a tough couple weeks on the NASCAR community.”
NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. added: “Really praying for my friend DH and the whole Hamlin family.”
Meanwhile, legendary NASCAR driver Kyle Petty posted that: “All the prayers from our home are with Denny Hamlin and his family. There are never the right words in times like this. All ours hearts are with you.”
Officials are still investigating what led to the fire. WCNC in Charlotte reports that the fire resulted in a complete loss of the home.
Denny Hamlin has competed in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2005 and has earned 60 wins over the course of his career. That mark includes three Daytona 500 victories.
“The entire NASCAR community is just suffering. I’m so sorry Denny Hamlin,” NASCAR legend Mark Martin posted on X.