Kyle Larson Stuns with Support as Denny Hamlin Faces Tragedy
Denny Hamlin is grieving after a devastating house fire at his parents’ home in Stanley, Gaston County, left his father, Dennis Hamlin, dead and his mother, Mary Lou, hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. The house was reportedly engulfed when firefighters arrived and ultimately collapsed. NASCAR issued condolences to Hamlin and his family, noting Dennis Hamlin’s sacrifices in helping raise a world-class racer and offering thoughts and prayers for Mary Lou’s recovery.
Amid that tragedy, Kyle Larson — who battled Hamlin for the 2025 NASCAR Cup championship — publicly expressed sympathy. Before a sprint car event in Perth, Australia, Larson posted a message on social media saying his thoughts and prayers were with the Hamlin family, and in a post-race interview he described Hamlin as a good friend who values family. Larson called the news “terrible” and acknowledged the pressure Hamlin has faced this year, adding that Hamlin has strong support behind him.
Larson went on to win the High Limit International event at Perth Motorplex, earning the top prize in what the report called the highest-paying sprint car race in Australian history. He credited his crew for delivering strong equipment and execution, and said he was proud of the team’s work. Larson is scheduled to compete next at the Tulsa Shootout, where several other NASCAR drivers are also expected to take part in various divisions.
The Hamlin family’s long history of sacrifice for Denny’s career has been documented publicly, including in the Netflix series Full Speed, which highlighted the risks his parents took to support his racing ambitions. The loss of Dennis Hamlin is being felt across the NASCAR community, and the organization’s statement and public messages from fellow drivers underscore the sport’s collective support for Denny and his family during this difficult time.
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