Dennis Hamlin, father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, died in a house fire on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in North Carolina. His wife, Mary Lou Hamlin, was critically injured and hospitalized. The fire, which broke out around 6:19 PM, completely destroyed the two-story home. While Dennis Hamlin succumbed to his injuries, Mary Lou Hamlin was able to escape the blaze. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.