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Denny Hamlin’s Close Call: Recounting the Yard Fire that Threatened his Home after NASCAR Victories

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 25, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Denny Hamlin’s Daytona Heartbreak: How a Last-Lap Gamble Cost Him His Fourth 500 Victory

Denny Hamlin gets out of his car and checks out the screen during the Daytona 500 Pole Qualifying at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday, Feb.12, 2025.

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The NASCAR racing world has been ablaze with action and excitement this season, with thrilling victories and first-time wins. However, a different kind of blaze, much more literal and dangerous, has also impacted this high-octane sport. From the devastating brush fires in Los Angeles in January to a wildfire reaching Homestead-Miami, fires have been a significant part of this season’s narrative. Even NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin’s home wasn’t spared from this fiery onslaught, proving that sometimes, the race off the track can be just as harrowing as on it.

Hamlin, a distinguished member of Joe Gibbs Racing, was looking forward to a laid-back week after a successful stint in Las Vegas. However, his luck took a sharp turn when a fire broke out in his front yard, threatening to reduce his tranquil home to ashes. Even now, recalling the incident sends shivers down Hamlin’s spine, a testament to the terrifying reality of that fire.

Living in a sprawling 2.8-acre property on Lake Norman, North Carolina, Hamlin was far from the notorious wildfires that ravaged California. Yet, he felt the impact of such a disaster right on his doorstep. He describes his horrifying experience, “I didn’t know anything was wrong until I saw the maintenance guy running through the living room… And I’m like oh s—!”

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During the ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast, Hamlin shared the chain of events that unfolded following the Pennzoil 400 race. His yard was ablaze, and the fire wasn’t a controlled one. The blame fell on a malfunctioning lawnmower that had overheated and caught fire. A substantial portion of his yard was consumed by the flames, leaving behind an ominous black patch once doused.

Hamlin’s experience was a minuscule version of the L.A. disaster, as he explains, “And you can understand on a serious note, how out of control the L.A. fires were – how quickly it spread because of the wind.” The wind played a significant role in spreading the fire across his lawn, giving him a firsthand experience of the terror faced by those affected by the larger wildfires.

While Hamlin’s encounter with fire was accidental, another NASCAR driver’s involvement with fire was intentional yet noble. Garrett Smithley, a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, found himself in the headlines not for his racing prowess but for his father’s heroic efforts.

Capt. R.K. Smithley, a pilot since 1983, has been flying an air tanker for rescue missions for the past 11 years. When the wildfires struck Southern California, he was part of the rescue team, undertaking grueling missions to drop fire retardant to curb the flames. Despite facing challenging conditions like heavy winds, hilly terrain, other aircraft, and thick smoke, he persisted in his mission.

R.K. Smithley’s bravery stands as a reminder that dealing with fire requires a certain level of fearlessness and adaptability. While Denny Hamlin continues to recover from his own fire scare, let’s hope this seasoned veteran brings a different kind of fire to the racetrack soon and ends his 31-race winless streak.

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