Denny Hamlin has confirmed his intention to race in the 2026 NASCAR season, despite suffering a setback from a shoulder injury. The driver aggravated his condition in a fall while searching through the wreckage of a house fire that tragically claimed his father’s life.
On Wednesday, during a press conference, Hamlin revealed that he has been dealing with the aftermath of a torn labrum, which he had surgically repaired following the 2023-24 offseason. The injury worsened when he fell while navigating the debris from the fire that also critically injured his mother, Mary Lou Hamlin.
Hamlin stated, “I don’t think that it ever healed properly. Just noticed some issues, really kind of right after the season. It just was nagging me a little bit. Took a little fall at my mom’s house, going through all the rubble and stuff and just didn’t feel right.” He added that he will not undergo further surgery as the NASCAR season kicks off with The Clash on Wednesday and the Daytona 500 on February 15.
Family Tragedy and Recovery
The fire, which occurred in December, resulted in catastrophic injuries for both Denny’s parents, Dennis Hamlin and Mary Lou Hamlin. The couple was found outside their home in Stanley, North Carolina, after the fire caused significant damage and led to the collapse of the structure. Tragically, Dennis Hamlin succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital, passing away at the age of 75.
Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, is reportedly on the path to recovery and has traveled to Florida to be with family. Denny Hamlin expressed hope for her improvement, stating, “She’s getting better.”
Racing Aspirations Amid Challenges
Despite the challenges posed by his injury and the recent family tragedy, Denny Hamlin remains focused on his racing career. The 45-year-old driver finished as the Cup runner-up last season, narrowly missing out on his first career title after finishing behind Kyle Larson in the season finale.
In addition to his racing endeavors, Hamlin is also involved in a significant antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, which was settled near the conclusion of a trial in December. As the new season approaches, Hamlin’s determination to compete underscores his resilience both on and off the track.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.
