Denny Hamlin Gives Update of Mother's Health Following Deadly Fire

Denny Hamlin issued his first social media post following the death of his father, Dennis, on Wednesday, and he gave a positive update on his mother's medical condition.

Feb 21, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (left) hugs his mother, Mary Lou Hamlin, in victory lane as they celebrate after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It's been an emotional offseason for the NASCAR industry, and nobody has experienced a more drastic range of emotions, likely, than Denny Hamlin. After losing out on his first career NASCAR Cup Series championship in heartbreaking fashion at Phoenix Raceway in November, Hamlin's 23XI Racing team settled an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR in early December.

Following the settlement of the lawsuit earlier in the month, the driver suffered the tragic loss of his 75-year-old father, Dennis Hamlin, in a house fire near Stanley, NC, last Sunday.

In his first social media post since the loss of his father, Hamlin expressed gratitude for the many who have reached out to give their well-wishes to him and his entire family. Hamlin also included a positive health update regarding his mother, Mary Lou Hamlin, who has been hospitalized since the house fire, which claimed the life of his father.

"Thank you to everyone who has reached out with condolences on my father's passing," Hamlin said in the post on his personal X account on Wednesday. "My mother continues to improve, and our family truly appreciates the outpouring of support and the respect for our privacy during this time."

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with condolences on my father’s passing. My mother continues to improve, and our family truly appreciates the outpouring of support and the respect for our privacy during this time.

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) December 31, 2025

The Gaston County Fire Marshal's Office continues to investigate the fire at the home of Hamlin's parents.

The update that his mother's condition is improving provided a much-needed sigh of relief for the NASCAR industry, which has suffered an incredible loss this offseason.

Prior to the death of Dennis Hamlin, long-time NASCAR National Series competitor Michael Annett, and ARCA competitor Nick Joanides passed away.

A couple of weeks after the sudden, and unrelated deaths of Annett and Joanides, the racing community was shaken by the tragic news that Greg Biffle, the winner of 19 NASCAR Cup Series races, had been killed in an aviation crash at the Statesville Regional Airport in Statesville, NC, on December 18.

In addition to Biffle, his Wife Cristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, also perished in the crash along with Dennis Dutton, his son Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth.

The NTSB continues to investigate the crash that claimed the seven victims.