A luxury home owned by celebrated NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin was completely destroyed in a major fire on Sunday evening, 28 December, with two people requiring hospital treatment.
Firefighters Battle 'Total Loss' Blaze
The dramatic incident unfolded at Hamlin's property in North Carolina, USA. By the time the first emergency crews arrived, approximately half of the 3,724-square-foot house was already ablaze. David Toomey, Chief of the Lucia Riverbend Fire Department, later described the residence as a "total loss".
Photographs from the scene showed fierce flames consuming the substantial property, which was built in 2015 and sits on 1.76 acres of wooded land. The home is registered to Hamlin's property firm, Won One Real Estate.
Major Response Saves Racing Memorabilia
Due to the remote, wooded location and limited access to fire hydrants, the emergency response was significant. Between 10 and 15 different fire departments were called to tackle the inferno.
Despite the extensive damage, firefighters managed a crucial salvage operation. They successfully rescued valuable vehicles stored in the garage along with precious racing memorabilia belonging to the motorsport star.
"They had some really expensive cars in the garage and some racing memorabilia and stuff, so all that was saved," Chief Toomey confirmed to The Athletic. "We were able to save all that and get it out so it wasn't damaged."
Hamlin's Stellar Career and Team Ownership
The fire represents a significant personal loss for Denny Hamlin, who is regarded as one of NASCAR's top drivers since his 2005 debut. His career highlights include:
- Three Daytona 500 victories (2016, 2019, 2020).
- Finishing a close second in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, just four points behind champion Kyle Larson.
- Accumulating an estimated fortune of $65 million.
Beyond driving, Hamlin is also a team owner, co-owning the 23XI Racing NASCAR team with basketball icon Michael Jordan.
Authorities confirmed that the two individuals taken to hospital were outside the property when emergency services arrived. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
